Workers Compensation Lawyers in Fort Myers, Florida – Get the Compensation You Deserve
If you’ve been injured on the job or developed an occupational illness in Fort Myers, Florida, you are entitled to receive workers compensation benefits. Florida’s workers compensation laws provide crucial protection for injured workers, ensuring they are compensated for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages related to workplace accidents. It’s essential to work with an experienced workers compensation lawyer in Fort Myers to ensure you receive the medical care and fair compensation you’re entitled to under the law.
Florida Workers Compensation Laws protect most employees who suffer from work-related injuries or repetitive motion injuries. Whether you’ve suffered from a work injury, an occupational disease, or social security disability, you may be eligible to file a workers comp claim. However, navigating the workers compensation claims process can be complex, and if your claim is denied, legal action may be necessary. That’s where our Fort Myers workers compensation attorneys can help.
At Work Injury Rights, we offer legal representation backed by over 45 years of combined experience helping Florida workers fight for the benefits they deserve. Our team specializes in workers compensation claims, work injury claims, and the appeals process when a claim is denied. We are committed to ensuring that our clients receive the medical attention, compensation, and benefits they are entitled to under Florida workers compensation law.
If you’ve been injured on the job, don’t wait to seek legal help. Our Fort Myers injury lawyers offer a free case evaluation, where we’ll review the specifics of your case and discuss how we can help you pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more. Our workers compensation attorneys are here to make sure you’re treated fairly and receive the full benefits you deserve.
Contact our Fort Myers law firm today at 954-388-8616 to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can assist with your workers compensation case. Let us guide you through the process and help you secure the compensation you deserve after a workplace injury or on-the-job injury. We assist clients in both English and Spanish.
What’s Workers’ Compensation?
According to Florida laws, workers’ compensation is no-fault insurance coverage, meaning the focus will not be on determining liability rather where the occupational accident took place. For example, you might have suffered an accident while at work executing your duties. Under the Florida state workers’ compensation act, you might qualify to recover damages even if the incident was your fault.
Therefore, we could help you seek the following benefits:
- Medical expenses and treatment-related losses
- Disability benefits, covering TPD, TTD, PTD, and PPD
- Physical therapy costs and rehab expenses
- Prescription medication costs
- Traveling expenses related to your treatment and recovery appointments
| Benefit Type | What It Covers | Local Example in Boca Raton | How a Workers Compensation Lawyer Helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Benefits | Doctor visits, surgeries, physical therapy, prescriptions, rehabilitation, mileage reimbursement. | Emergency care at Baptist Health Hospital after a slip-and-fall at Town Center. | Ensures access to independent medical evaluations if insurance doctors minimize injuries. |
| Income Benefits | Temporary Total Disability (TTD), Temporary Partial Disability (TPD), wage replacement. | Worker injured at St. Andrews Blvd shop receives weekly benefits while recovering. | Confirms correct wage calculations and prevents insurers from underpaying lost income benefits. |
| Disability Benefits | Permanent Partial Disability (PPD), Permanent Total Disability (PTD), scheduled loss benefits. | Office employee in Executive Center hub develops carpal tunnel and receives long-term support. | Works with medical experts to document severity and negotiate maximum settlements. |
| Death Benefits | Weekly income for dependents, funeral and burial costs, long-term family financial support. | Family of construction worker fatally injured near Potomac Road receives benefits. | Advocates for surviving family members to secure full compensation owed by the insurer. |
What Should I Do if I’m Hurt on the Job?
If you’ve been injured while working in Fort Myers, it’s important to take the right steps to protect your health and secure workers’ comp benefits. Florida’s workers’ compensation laws are designed to help employees get the medical treatment and financial benefits they need after a workplace accident, but the process can be confusing. Acting quickly and following the proper procedures will help you build a strong claim and avoid delays or denials.
Report the Injury to Your Employer
The first thing you should do after a workplace injury is report it to your employer as soon as possible. In Florida, you generally have 30 days to notify your employer about your injury or illness, but waiting can make your claim more difficult. Give a clear and accurate account of what happened, when, and where. Your employer should then report the injury to their insurance company to begin the workers’ compensation claim process.
If you were in a motor vehicle crash while doing your job, report the accident to the police.
Seek Medical Care From an Approved Doctor
Under Florida law, you must see a doctor who is approved by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider. If you go to an unapproved doctor, the treatment may not be covered. Your employer or their insurance carrier should give you a list of authorized physicians. Make sure to follow your doctor’s treatment plan and keep all medical appointments, as these records are critical for your claim.
Document Everything for Your Workers’ Comp Claim
Keep detailed notes about your injury, symptoms, medical visits, and how the injury affects your ability to work. Save copies of all forms, correspondence, and medical bills related to your workers’ compensation claim. Good documentation helps strengthen your case if there’s a dispute about your benefits or the severity of your injury.
Contact a Fort Myers Work Injury Lawyer
Having an experienced Fort Myers workers’ compensation lawyer on your side makes the process much smoother and less stressful. A knowledgeable lawyer can handle communication with the insurance company and represent you if your claim is denied.
What Are Some of the Most Common Workplace Accident Injuries in Fort Myers, Florida?
Often, we have no one to blame when we get hurt or sick other than ourselves. Such events are an unfortunate part of life. However, sometimes they are incidents attributed to another’s negligence. Whatever the reason for the workplace accident, the resulting harm can include:
- Fractures
- Slip and fall injuries
- Burns
- Back (spinal) and neck injury
- Whiplash
- Joint pain
- Amputations
- Severe laceration
- Loss of eyesight
- Hearing loss
- Paralysis
- Death
Why Should I Hire a Fort Myers Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
We cannot dispute that individuals can represent themselves when pursuing workers’ comp cases. However, the chances of them getting a small settlement or their claims being denied are high. They lack adequate knowledge of what a workers’ compensation case entails and the various legal requirements and loopholes that exist, among other hurdles.
But the odds are in your favor when you get a professional to represent you. It is best to hire a Fort Myers workers’ compensation lawyer committed to ensuring your rights and interests are respected and protected. We are a law firm that will dedicate our resources to unearthing and presenting the truth that helps you get all the benefits owed.
Challenges in the Workers’ Compensation Claims Process
Common insurer tactics, local risk scenarios, and how a seasoned Fort Myers workers compensation lawyer protects your benefits.
Disputed Work-Related Injuries
Employers may argue the injury didn’t happen on the job. Example: a logistics worker injures their back unloading freight.
Insurers Downplaying Severity
Carrier-aligned doctors label serious injuries as “minor.” Common around golf courses and shopping on Ortiz Ave.
Technical Denials & Missed Deadlines
Paperwork errors or timing issues can sink claims for workers in any industry.
Premature Return-to-Work Pressure
Workers are pushed back before reaching MMI—e.g., healthcare staff off Cleveland Ave.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Fort Myers Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
We understand the strain that such legal matters can have, and that is why we focus on putting your mind at ease. Things might be unbearable for you financially, especially if you cannot resume work due to your injuries or illness. As such, we can provide a free initial consultation and case review. And if we take on your case, we can offer our legal services on a contingency fee agreement. Under this arrangement, you will pay us after we help you win the case and recover the benefits.
What Should I Do if My Workers’ Compensation Claim is Denied?
Workers’ comp claims being rejected is an all too familiar outcome that we most see in situations where individuals opt to represent themselves or work with inexperienced attorneys. However, a claim can be denied under different grounds. Still, we can help you appeal the denial. Our accomplished Fort Myers workers’ compensation lawyers can request the Workers’ Compensation Division in Florida to review the denial. Conversely, we can take the matter before the administrative law judge, and if this fails, we can file an appeal with the Florida Supreme Court.
Request a Hearing
File with the Florida State Board of Workers’ Compensation. Your lawyer ensures accuracy and timeliness.
Prepare Evidence
Gather medical records, witness statements, accident photos, and duty logs from job sites.
Present Your Case
Your attorney examines witnesses, challenges insurer experts, and anchors testimony to job duties near Fort Myers.
Negotiate or Litigate
Pursue a fair settlement or move to trial-level relief if the carrier won’t pay full value on wages, medical, or disability.
What Responsibility Does The Employee Have in Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Florida’s workers’ compensation act stipulated that an employee must fulfill the following obligations when pursuing a worker’s compensation claim:
- Lower the risk of having a tough time pursuing compensation by ensuring that you adhere to workplace safety rules and procedures.
- Report occupational accidents as soon as possible after they happen (which should be within 30 days from the incident’s date). Ensure your employer and their insurance provider are aware of the incident, your need to seek treatment, and when you might resume work.
- Be ready to take a drug test to ascertain that you were not intoxicated while working.
- Gather evidence that proves the accident occurred while you were performing your work duties.
- Go for a medical checkup, get treated, and give yourself adequate time to recover, adhering to the workers’ compensation board’s directives.
- File a workers’ comp claim with the Division of Workers’ Compensation within 2 years of the workplace accident.
What Responsibility Does the Employer Have in the Workers’ Compensation Process?
According to the Workers’ Compensation Act in Florida, employers are also expected to honor several obligations regarding potential compensations an employee will file for an occupational injury or illness. The responsibilities include:
- Post a workers’ compensations compliance notice and ensure all employees are aware of the insurance coverage.
- Provide the staff with information regarding where to seek immediate treatment after a workplace accident.
- Fill and submit an occupational injury or sickness report to the Division of Workers’ Compensation.
- Inform the insurance company about the accident and worker’s treatment progress, recovery, and likelihood of resuming work.
- Preserve the injured employee’s job position.
Can an Injured Worker in Florida be Fired for Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
While Florida laws give employers the right to revoke an employment contract if they deem an employee is not beneficial to their business, there are exemptions to this rule. The Florida Workers’ Compensation Act stipulates that no employer should fire a staff member because they claim compensation benefits for a work-related injury or illness.
Moreover, the law affirms the employees’ rights to retain their jobs when undergoing treatment and recover from work-related injuries or illnesses. But situations can be complicated and having experience handling workers’ comp cases and the various legal hurdles involved play a significant role in getting a full settlement. Our Fort Myers workers’ compensation lawyer will take you through what to do if you are fired for claiming compensation benefits.
Is There a Statute of Limitations to Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Florida?
Yes! The Florida Workers’ Comp Act gives employed individuals two years from when the workplace accident happened to file the claim. Nevertheless, we prefer starting the process sooner because it gives us ample time to investigate, gather evidence, and handle legal requirements. So, get in touch with our seasoned Fort Myers workers’ compensation lawyers today.
Can I Sue My Employer for a Workplace Accident?
Some situations merit suing employers for occupational accidents. However, workers’ compensation insurance is coverage that protects you and your employer. As such, suing your employer isn’t sensible because the case will focus on protecting your rights and interests as you pursue compensation benefits. Speak to a Fort Myers workers’ compensation lawyer for more information.
Can Independent Contractors in Fort Myers, FL, File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Florida workers’ compensation laws dictate that individuals with statutory (permanent) employment qualify to claim compensation benefits. Since independent contractors aren’t considered employees, it means they cannot file the workers’ comp claim.
However, employers can take advantage of this rule to avoid paying the compensation benefits by misclassifying you as an independent contractor. Speaking to an experienced Fort Myers workers’ compensation lawyer will ensure that you get the best advice possible.
What’s My Fort Myers Workers’ Compensation Claim Worth?
Determining your compensation claims worth entails considering various factors associated with the losses incurred due to the occupational injury or illness. Some of the things that our Fort Myers workers’ compensation lawyer will consider include:
- Your medical bills
- Prescription medication costs
- Rehab costs
- A percentage of your lost wages
- Travel expenses related to your treatment, rehab, and recovery therapy sessions
- Your income loss replacement benefit
- PPD (Permanent Partial Disability) benefits based on your disability rating from an authorized doctor complying with the AMA (American Medical Association) guidelines.
Call Our Fort Myers Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today for Dependable Legal Counsel
As an individual working in Florida, the law stipulates that you could qualify to pursue benefits for compensable work injuries. It would be best if you considered working closely with a reputable and experienced Fort Myers workers’ compensation lawyer when fighting for your rights and interests.
We are a firm made up of a team of expert Florida workers’ compensation lawyers with a combined 45-year experience in handling workers’ compensation cases in Florida. Thus, we are confident that we are your best bet if you want reliable legal counsel and representation that commits to helping you win the case and recovering all the benefits owed.
Call Work Injury Rights at 954-388-8616 or contact us online for a free case review and learn more about how we can help.
