- Workers' Compensation
When you get injured on the job, the last thing you should have to worry about is paying for your medical care. At a minimum, your employer or their insurance carrier should cover your treatment. If this doesn’t happen, you need to contact an experienced Brandon workers comp attorney.
You’re Entitled to Two Main Types of Benefits Under Workers Compensation in Florida
If you’re approved for workers compensation, you’ll be entitled to two main types of benefits. The first type is a given. Any medical treatment related to your workplace injuries will be covered under your claim.
In addition, you’ll be entitled to replacement wages. These are paid in the form of weekly benefits. These benefits will be equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wages.
For example, if you normally make $500 per week, you’ll receive $333 per week while on workers compensation.
Any Medical Care Related to Your Workplace Accident Should Be Covered
One would presume that the insurance company would pay for any medical care you need. You shouldn’t have to worry about which medical bills will be paid. You don’t think that you should have to pay for any of your medical care.
Unfortunately, there are times when the insurance company refuses to pay for certain types of treatment. If they don’t deem the treatment medically necessary, they may simply refuse coverage.
Usually, our Brandon workers comp attorneys see this happen when an employee undergoes chiropractic care or occupational therapy.
Your Brandon Workers Compensation Lawyer Will Also Make Sure You Get Your Weekly Benefits
In addition to your medical care, you should also receive weekly benefits. This is to help you pay your bills until you are able to return to work. This could be weeks, or it could be months. It all depends on the nature and extent of your injuries.
If your injuries are serious, that means you’ll need more extensive care than other employees on workers compensation. If you have a problem with either type of workers comp benefits, you should reach out to a Brandon workers compensation lawyer.
What Types of Medical Treatment Will Be Covered by Workers Compensation?
For the most part, any medical treatment you need for your work-related injuries should be covered by workers compensation. Of course, there may be times when you need special treatment. It can be more difficult to get the insurance adjuster to approve this sort of care.
Unfortunately, you don’t always learn that the treatment is not going to be covered until you’ve been treated. What this means is that there’s a chance you could receive a medical bill addressed to you personally.
If this happens, don’t pay the bill. Bring a copy of it to your Brandon workers comp attorney’s office right away. If need be, you can always fax a copy or take a picture and email it to your lawyer instead.
They will reach out to the insurance adjuster handling your claim and find out what the problem is.
Your Immediate Medical Treatment Will Be Covered
One thing you shouldn’t have to worry about is your immediate medical treatment being covered. For example, if you need to go to the emergency room directly from work, any care provided should be covered.
In addition to your immediate medical treatment, the following medical care should also be covered without issue:
- Emergency room visit
- Ambulance ride
- Diagnostic tests
- Hospital stay
- Any follow-up appointments at the hospital or with a doctor or surgeon
- Medications
- Wheelchair or other durable medical equipment or devices
Your appointments with your workers’ compensation doctor should also be covered. It is usually special types of treatment that you may have problems with.
Your Brandon Workers Comp Attorney Can Also Request Coverage for Other Types of Medical Care
To give you a better idea of the kind of medical care the insurance company may deny, think about this. When you see your primary physician for an illness or medical issue, they can’t just send you to see a specialist.
Instead, your doctor needs to write a referral to see the other doctor. Otherwise, the insurance company won’t pay for it. It’s the same way with workers compensation. For certain types of special treatment, your workers comp doctor will have to confirm that it’s medically necessary.
Otherwise, the workers comp insurance company won’t cover it. Sadly, even when your doctor does authorize the treatment, the insurance carrier may still deny coverage. This is when your Brandon workers compensation lawyer will have to get involved.
What Happens if the Insurance Company Refuses to Pay for Your Treatment?
There may be times when the insurance company refuses to cover your treatment. For example, your doctor may suggest you see a chiropractor to help with your back pain. You go to the chiropractor a few times.
The next thing you know, you get an explanation of benefit form from the workers compensation insurance carrier stating the bill was not paid. Your Brandon worker’s comp attorney will have to immediately reach out to the insurance adjuster.
If it is still denied, you may have to file a complaint with the Division of Workers Compensation. Hopefully, it won’t get that far.
Your Brandon Workers Compensation Lawyer Can Get a Second Opinion
If your workers comp doctor refuses to certify your treatment, you do have options. Your Brandon workers comp attorney can have you see an independent doctor for a second opinion.
If the second doctor agrees that you need the specific treatment requested, your lawyer will send this information to the insurance adjuster. If they still refuse to cover the treatment, your attorney can appeal this decision.
If You’re Not Being Treated Fairly, Contact a Brandon Workers Comp Attorney
If you have a feeling you’re being denied certain medical care that will help you recover, contact our experienced Florida workers compensation lawyers. If we agree that the treatment is medically necessary, we will fight to get it covered.
We suggest you contact our office as soon as possible after your workplace injury. You need to focus on your recovery. That’s the only way you can go back to work and start receiving a full income once again.
We offer all new clients a free, initial consultation. Call and schedule a date and time to come into the office. Your Brandon workers comp attorney will do what they can to make sure you’re treated fairly and given the best chance to make a full recovery.
