Know Your Rights After a Work-Related Accident in Florida
Work-related injuries are an all too common occurrence across Florida. Fortunately, workers’ compensation insurance was established for this very reason. Not only does it protect employees after an accident, but it also provides protection for their employers. Essentially, this type of insurance allows for a trade-off between the injured employee and the business. Medical benefits and wage replacements will be given to workers who are injured on the job in exchange for the employee’s relinquishment of the right to sue their employer.
The legal trade-off between employee and employer is known as “the compensation bargain,” and it essentially provides for financial and medical benefits on one end, while ensuring the protection of a business on the other. However, the compensation plans will differ depending on the company issuing the insurance coverage. In some cases, this proves to be adequate for the coverage needed, but in others, the financial and medical allowances allotted are nowhere near enough to account for an injured person’s time off or medical expenses.
In these cases, it may also be beneficial to explore the option of a third-party lawsuit.
If you were injured in a workplace accident, call our workers’ compensation attorneys in Tampa, FL for a free consultation: (813) 606-5050.
Why You Should Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney
There can be no downplaying the consequences of workplace accidents and resulting injuries. Traumatic brain injuries or damage to the spinal cord could quickly lead to debilitating circumstances for the victim, sometimes enough so to prevent them from ever working again. Even minor injuries can have a lasting impact.
Unfortunately, employers and insurance companies do not always pay out the level of compensation that injured workers are rightfully owed. Therefore, having a workers’ compensation lawyer on your side after any type of workplace accident that left you injured will be absolutely crucial to the outcome of your case.
Administrative law judges are employed to help determine the allotment of financial and medical benefits required. Disputes with your workers’ compensation insurance agency may be brought before the administrative courts, and having a lawyer on your side could greatly increase your chances of a positive case outcome.
Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Lawsuits
Anyone injured on the job has the right to pursue compensation for those injuries; however, the confusion often lies in determining the type of compensation. What many people are not aware of is that there is a difference between third-party lawsuits and workers’ compensation claims.
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that your employer provides to cover the cost of your injuries. Workers’ comp protects employers from lawsuits while simultaneously protecting employees from the financial hardship of having to front medical bills and give up pay for time taken off work to recover. If you accept workers’ compensation benefits, you cannot file a lawsuit for the same incident against your employer.
However, injuries that happen on the job aren’t always resolved through workers’ compensation.
People injured at work may be able to file lawsuits, called third-party liability claims, against a defendant other than their employer. For example, an employee might work for a construction company, but is contracted by a corporation that failed to provide a safe working environment. Or, an employee might have been injured by a defective product and could consequently file a claim against the product’s manufacturer.
We Help Injured Workers Explore All Available Options
When an injured worker retains the help of our firm, we meticulously investigate the cause of their injuries to uncover all the possible ways to seek compensation. We also consult with their doctor to learn more about the medical services they require. We then assist the client in filing their workers’ compensation application (ensuring all deadlines are met) and, if needed, champion the claim at the workers’ comp hearing.
At the same time, our attorneys can also advance a third-party personal injury lawsuit against any negligent parties. We will make every effort to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company; however, if the company refuses to do what is right, we are ready to go to court to seek maximum compensation.
At Robert Sparks Attorneys, we have worked with some of the largest insurance companies and corporations in Florida. We know how to handle work injury claims to pursue successful results for our clients. If you were injured at work and would like to discuss your legal rights and options, contact us today for a free case review.
Named One of the “Best Law Firms” in Florida
At Robert Sparks Attorneys, we know how to best manage workers’ compensation claims, fighting for maximum compensation on behalf of our clients. Named as one of Florida’s “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News, our firm has recovered millions of dollars in financial recoveries. Learn how we can help you by giving us a call today.
Get started on your case by calling our Tampa workers’ compensation attorneys at (813) 606-5050 for a free initial consultation.
