Regardless of how safe your work environment seems, you are always at risk of suffering an injury while at work. Under workers compensation, what is considered compensable work injuries in Fort Lauderdale?
Workplaces differ greatly, and there are unique factors that may contribute to specific types of injuries in each workplace. For instance, workers who spend most of their time loading and unloading goods at a warehouse are usually at risk of suffering joint pain.
While workers are guaranteed workers’ compensation benefits in the event of a work-related injury or illness, their injuries have to be compensable for them to receive such benefits. If you’ve been injured on the job and aren’t sure if your injuries are considered compensable work injuries in Fort Lauderdale, speaking to an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer is a good place to start.
At Work Injury Rights, our Fort Lauderdale workers compensation attorneys are experienced and can help you with your workers’ comp claim and provide clear answers to any of your queries. Call us today at 954-388-8616 to find out whether your workplace injury is compensable and how best to go about your claim.
What Are Compensable Injuries in Fort Lauderdale?
Under workers’ compensation, compensable injuries are defined as those that arise out of and in the course of employment. Workers who are deemed to have suffered non-compensable injuries may not receive benefits, even if those injuries occurred while at work.
Some of the most common compensable injuries in Fort Lauderdale, Florida have been listed below:
Back, Neck, and Spinal Injuries
Depending on their severity, neck and spinal injuries may cause some degree of disability or paralysis. Back injuries can also be debilitating as they may lead to chronic pain and limited movement. Often, these injuries come about whenever a worker is struck by or against an object. These injuries could also be a result of a heavy fall directly to the ground.
Fractures
Slips, trips, and falls are accidents that could easily result in fractures. Workers who fall to the ground from a raised surface, such as a ladder or a staircase, are also at risk of suffering fractures. If left unchecked, fractures can lead to extreme pain and swelling.
Joint Pain
Most cases of joint pain are caused by physical overexertion, as workers could be engaging in repetitive tasks or lifting heavy objects without adequate rest. While joint pains aren’t as serious as other injury types, they can soon become chronic conditions if they’re not addressed.
Burns
Besides workers who operate high-temperature boilers or kilns, those who are constantly exposed to chemicals and solvents are also at risk of suffering burns. To prevent these injuries, it is important for such workers to wear protective gear like chemical protective clothing and respirators when they are at their workplace.
Cuts and Lacerations
Workers who are constantly operating machinery and carrying cutting tools are usually at risk of suffering cuts or lacerations.
Hearing Loss
Continuous or long-term exposure to hazardous levels of occupation noise can lead to hearing loss among workers. This type of injury can also be caused by acoustic trauma or head injury, and other natural and medical conditions such as age and high blood pressure.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
Some injuries can’t be linked to a specific event and usually develop over time. Conditions such as tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other orthopedic conditions are some of those that occur due to repetitive activities.
Head and Brain Injuries
Some injuries such as head and brain injuries could be subtle and could be hard to diagnose. These injuries often arise when a worker gets a serious blow to the head. Head and brain injuries often lead to constant headaches and blurred vision.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), along with amputations and spinal injuries are often referred to as catastrophic as workers may never recover, meaning that they may never be able to do any gainful work in the future.
Other conditions that are compensable work injuries in Fort Lauderdale under workers’ compensation include occupational diseases, such as respiratory illnesses and organ damage due to employment.
What Types of Compensation Can You Claim?
If you have been injured or fallen ill while on the job, you can generally claim medical benefits, income benefits, and other types of benefits, depending on your injury and if they are considered compensable work injuries in Fort Lauderdale.
These types of workers’ compensation benefits are highlighted below:
Medical Benefits
If you have incurred any medical expenses due to your work-related injury or illness, you have the right to claim medical benefits. Some of these medical expenses include hospital stays, prescription drugs, medical equipment, surgery, and travel expenses. These expenses can be compensated by claiming medical benefits for these compensable work injuries in Fort Lauderdale.
Physical Rehabilitation Benefits
If your injury necessitated physical therapy as part of the recovery program, the costs incurred on physical therapy can also be included in your claim so that you receive
physical rehabilitation benefits.
Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
Sometimes, a workplace injury is so serious that you may need vocational rehabilitation or retraining to help you resume employment. Any costs incurred on such programs can be compensated through vocational rehabilitation benefits.
Lost Wages
If your injury forces you to take some time out of work, then you may be in line to receive various types of income benefits to cover your lost wages. These benefits include:
- Temporary total disability benefits
- Temporary partial disability benefits
- Impairment benefits
- Permanent total disability benefits
- Dependents or the estate of a worker who dies as a result of a workplace accident may claim death and funeral benefits.
How Long Do You Have to File for Benefits for Compensable Work Injuries in Fort Lauderdale?
If you have suffered compensable work injuries in Fort Lauderdale, you have 2 years from the date of the injury or when your illness becomes apparent to file for workers’ compensation. Florida statutes also allow 1 additional year from the date of the last payment of benefits or last date of provision of medical care if you wish to file a Petition for Benefits.
For Help with Understanding Compensable Work Injuries in Fort Lauderdale, Call Our Legal Team Today
Workers in Fort Lauderdale are usually at risk of suffering various types of injuries depending on their employment. Some of the most common compensable work injuries in Fort Lauderdale include back, neck, and spinal injuries, head injuries, fractures, and joint pain. When filing a workers’ compensation, it is important to note that your injury must be compensable for you to receive benefits.
If you’ve been hurt while on the clock and have yet to file your claim, get in touch with Work Injury Rights at 954-388-8616 to schedule a free case evaluation so that you understand your rights and possible benefits.
