If you live and work in the state of Florida, it’s important to understand how workers’ compensation works. In the event of an injury or accident sustained while on the job, workers’ compensation provides benefits that can help you and your family get through a difficult situation. Let’s take a look at what all is included in Florida’s workers’ compensation system.
What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?
Workers’ compensation covers any medical bills related to any workplace injuries or illnesses you may have suffered from. This includes doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, tests, and other forms of treatment. Additionally, if you are unable to return to work due to an injury or illness sustained on the job, workers’ comp can provide wage replacement benefits for up to two-thirds of your average weekly wages. You may also be eligible for death benefits if you lose a loved one in a workplace accident.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to receive workers’ compensation benefits in the state of Florida, you must meet a few requirements. First off, all employers with four or more employees must carry workers’ comp insurance that covers their employees. That means that as long as your employer has this insurance policy in place and you were injured while performing regular job duties, then you should be covered by workers’ comp benefits. In addition, if your employer does not have this insurance policy in effect, then any medical expenses incurred due to an injury or illness sustained on the job would need to be paid out of pocket unless they are covered by another form of insurance like health insurance or disability insurance. Sometimes, unscrupulous employers deliberately pay workers in cash or as “independent contractors” to try to avoid paying taxes and wc insurance, but if done improperly, the employer can be held directly liable for the injuries.
Applying for Benefits
Once you have determined that you are eligible for workers’ comp benefits in Florida, it’s time to apply for them. For almost all claims, the worker will need to file a claim with your employer’s insurance company within 30 days of being injured on the job. Along with filing the claim form itself, make sure to include copies of all relevant medical records and bills as well as any documentation that proves that your injury or illness was caused by your job duties (such as witness statements). Once you submit all necessary documents along with your completed application form then it should only take about 7-14 days for your claim to be approved and benefits issued accordingly. If your employer refuses to report the injury, the employee can call the State of Florida Hotline, 1-800-342-1741, to report the employer and talk with the employee assistance office.
Conclusion
When it comes down to it, understanding how Florida’s workers’ compensation system works is essential if something ever happens while on the job and you need financial assistance getting back on track again. It’s important that employers provide their employees with this vital coverage because without it their employees would be stuck paying out-of-pocket for any medical costs associated with workplace injuries or illnesses (unless they are covered under another form of insurance). Thankfully though most employers do offer this coverage which allows their employees access to much-needed funds should something ever happen while at work—so make sure that if nothing else happens today—you take some time go over the details regarding Florida’s Workers Compensation system with yourself! That way if anything ever does happen—you’ll know exactly what steps need taken! That way no one will ever feel left behind!
