- Workers' Compensation
Many jobs put employees at risk of being hit by a falling object during working hours. Unfortunately, this may result in serious and irreversible injury. Florida has a no-fault Workers’ Compensation program, meaning that if your injury occurred at work and is due to a work-related incident, you will likely be eligible for benefits. This removes any blame from the process and allows for more expedient processing. If your injury was caused by faulty machinery, you may be eligible to file a third-party claim.
Have questions? Contact our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers today!
Flying or Falling Objects at Work – Who’s at Risk?
There are a variety of professions and employees who are at risk of being injured. Some of the more common at-risk professions include:
- Carpenters
- Truck drivers
- Janitors
- Stock staff
- Food preparation workers
- Construction workers
- Assemblers
If you frequently work with dangerous objects or overhead objects, you must take extra precautions, since these things may easily fall on you if they are not handled correctly.
Most work-related injuries are due to human error. In 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics collected data that “contact with equipment or objects” accounts for approximately 24 incidents per 10,000 full-time workers, making it the 3rd leading cause of non-fatal workplace injuries. The most common causes are overexertion and slips, falls, or trips.
It is easy to be a victim of these scenarios. Many times, workers are exhausted, overworked, or may not place an overhead object safely on the shelf. Carpenters or construction workers deal with heavy equipment and loaded tools that may fly astray. While we can only take accountability for our own actions, we must remain assertive in our environments.
Next Steps
The first thing you should do if you suffer from a work-related injury is to seek medical attention. You should let your employer know the details of the incident immediately, so they can properly document it. If you’re interested in learning more about how do you claim workers’ comp benefits in Florida, visit this page. Important things to ensure are documented on your behalf are proof of employment, doctor’s notes, any hospital or rehabilitation visits, medical bills or receipts, and any other pertinent notes to your injury. You will then get a call from Workers’ Compensation.
When you become aware of an injury, it is important to report it immediately. The Division of Workers’ Compensation states that you have 30 days to report it to your employer, however, the sooner you complete this, the sooner you can ensure all steps are properly covered. If you delay filing a claim, this may result in a denial. You can file a claim within two years for benefits. Be diligent about your rights. Call a lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you can explore all legal options.
Workers’ Compensation
If you are injured on the job in Florida, you may be entitled to Workers’ Compensation. Florida statutes state that any industry aside from construction, which has 4 or more employees, must have Workers’ Compensation coverage. If it is in the construction industry, it is only required to be one or more employees. A claim should be filed by you or your supervisor immediately following the injury.
It is easy to feel overwhelmed by this process. But we are here to help! WorkInjuryRights.Com™ outlined the necessary steps clearly on our Workers’ Compensation page, so you can feel at ease and take it step-by-step. Our workers’ compensation lawyers will ensure all bases are covered for your claim, and you will truly feel as though you have an expert legal team on your side.
Understand Your Legal Rights
Our team of work injury lawyers and staff have over 45 years of collective legal experience. We understand the laws and regulations and work hard to advocate for you. Our team has a variety of lawyers who have first-hand experience in insurance claims, making them well-educated on what you may be entitled to.
We don’t represent insurance companies. We represent you! Want a free consultation? Fill out our contact form or call us at 954-833-5226.
