Workers’ Compensation for Nurses in South Florida: Common Types of Covered Injuries And Your Rights To Benefits
As a Fort Lauderdale nurse, you spend your shifts caring for others. Unfortunately, this is often at the expense of your own physical well-being.
When injuries happen, workers’ compensation can help cover your losses, but insurers often deny or downplay claims. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer explains which injuries are covered and how to protect your rights to benefits.
Workers’ Compensation Covers Common Injuries Suffered By Fort Lauderdale Nurses
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that hospitals record injury rates nearly twice the average of all private industries, with registered nurses and nursing assistants among the most common victims. Section 440.13 of the Florida Statutes requires employers and their insurers to cover all medically necessary treatment, including for those that nurses assume are just part of the job and either overlook or don’t report.
Common types of injuries among Fort Lauderdale nurses that may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits in Florida include:
- Needlestick and sharps injuries.
- Back, shoulder, and joint injuries from lifting, repositioning, or transferring patients.
- Injuries sustained during incidents of workplace violence involving patients or visitors.
- Slips and falls on wet floors, in stairwells, or around medical equipment.
These types of injuries can leave you with mountains of medical bills while having to take weeks off work. Fortunately, Florida workers’ compensation can help cover your losses, but it is important to follow the proper procedures for reporting what happened.
How Nurses Can Protect Their Rights To Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Nurses perform a variety of vital functions. When injuries happen, employers and their insurers often push back on claims by arguing that an injury was minor, pre-existing, or unrelated to specific job duties.
Don’t let that discourage you from filing. To protect your rights to Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation benefits, take these steps:
- Report every injury to your supervisor in writing, no matter how minor it seems at the time, and keep a copy for your records.
- Get medical attention right away and make sure your doctor understands exactly how the injury occurred on the job.
- Document the physical demands of your role and any specific tasks or incidents that contributed to your condition.
- Keep records of all medical visits, prescribed treatments, missed shifts, and any out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury.
If your employer or their insurer attempts to dispute or deny your claim, get professional legal help right away.
Request a Consultation Today With an Experienced Fort Lauderdale Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Nurses sacrifice so much in caring for patients. Unfortunately, work-related injuries can put their own health at risk. The Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A., provides the caring support and professional legal representation you need to get the benefits you deserve.
Our experienced Fort Lauderdale workers’ compensation lawyer fights for the maximum amount you need to cover your losses. Call or contact us online today and request a consultation at our Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach office.
Sources:
bls.gov/opub/ted/2025/nonfatal-injuries-and-illnesses-to-nurses-requiring-days-away-from-work-2021-22.htm
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0440/Sections/0440.13.html