Businesses in Florida are legally required to carry Workers compensation insurance that covers compensable injuries. A compensable injury is an injury that’s caused by an accident that happens during the course of employment. The following is a detailed guide to Spring Hill, FL Workers compensation compensable injuries.
If you have suffered a workplace or work-related injury or illness, you deserve the full benefits you are entitled to under the law to help you with the losses you have endured. The Spring Hill, FL Workers compensation lawyers at Work Injury Rights can help you with your claim. Call us today at [Phone] to learn more about compensable injuries and how to recover the benefits you deserve.
What Are Compensable Injuries?
A compensable injury is an injury caused by an accident that happens within the scope and course of your employment, that ultimately results in the need for ongoing medical care and the ongoing provision for lost wage benefits, if appropriate.
It is important, however, to note that simply because an injury occurs at work, it doesn’t automatically mean that it is covered under the law. Furthermore, simply because the injury happens during work hours, it doesn’t mean the claim is automatically covered.
Injury Must ‘Arise Out of Employment’
Under Florida law, compensable injuries are only those that ‘arise out of employment,’ which isn’t the same as saying ‘on the job.’ Compensable injuries in Spring Hill, FL are usually one of the following four types:
- Injuries sustained while performing duties specific to your job
- Injuries sustained while performing a task assigned specifically by your employer
- Injuries sustained at a secondary “work location” e.g., an off-site conference
- Injuries sustained on your employer’s premises during normal working hours.
If the harm that you have suffered fits into one or more of the above categories, your injury will likely be compensable under Florida law, but this isn’t guaranteed. If you’re hurt while going to work or coming home from work, for example, you will realize that none of the categories above apply.
Here are examples of compensable injuries:
- Injuries with Physical Trauma: Purely physical injuries arising from identifiable events or accidents. A good example could be a back injury caused by an accident while driving a company vehicle or a broken leg caused by falling equipment.
- Illness Resulting from Your Occupation: If you work in an area with certain types of contaminants, exposure for a prolonged period can result in illnesses. Similarly, if you work around loud noises, migraine headaches or hearing loss can become an issue.
- Mental Injuries: If you are exposed to a high level of work-related stress, a traumatic incident at work, or an act of workplace violence, you will suffer from mental injuries. For your employer to be held liable, they must be at least 51% responsible for the situation.
- Injuries Caused by Repetitive Stress or Cumulative Trauma: The injuries here aren’t tied to a specific work-related accident or event. They usually develop more slowly and contribute to the deterioration of your ability to perform the work. Examples here include carpal tunnel syndrome caused by repetitive hand movements, orthopedic injuries like tendinitis, and back pain resulting from repeated heavy lifting.
- Injuries Resulting from Aggravating a Pre-Existing Condition: You may be entitled to compensation if you have a pre-existing condition that’s aggravated by activity or conditions on your job. A completely new injury is sometimes inflicted whenever a work-related activity aggravates a pre-existing injury or condition.
What Types of Compensation Can You Claim?
Workers compensation in Florida covers you regardless of who between you and your employer is at fault for your work-related injury or illness. A Workers compensation claim allows you to recover from your injury or illness without having to worry about medical expenses.
Here are the different types of compensation you can claim:
- Disability Benefits: If your work-related injury causes you to suffer from a disability, whether permanent or temporary, you may be eligible for disability benefits. The benefits are aimed at providing financial assistance to cover living expenses if you cannot work due to the injury.
- Lost Wages: If your workplace or work-related injury or illness causes you to miss work, you may be entitled to receive compensation for lost wages up to two-thirds of your weekly pre-injury income. The compensation usually covers a portion of the lost income.
- Medical Benefits: Workers compensation pays for all the medical care required to treat a work-related injury or illness, but only if the treatment is prescribed by the treating physician and authorized by your employer’s Workers compensation insurance provider.
- Vocational Rehabilitation: If you are unable to return to the job you had prior to the work-related injury or illness, you can receive vocational counseling, placement services, and other help to find new employment. Workers compensation can pay for your education if you require additional education or training to get a suitable job, but only for a limited period of time.
- Death Benefits: If a worker suffers a fatality from a job-related accident within 1 year of the event or 5 years of continuous disability, Workers compensation pays death benefits to the surviving family. The benefits include compensation to dependents, funeral expenses, and education benefits to the surviving spouse.
How Long Do You Have to File for Compensation in Florida?
Under Florida law, the time within which you are required to have filed a claim for compensation following a work-related injury or illness is 2 years from the date of the injury or knowledge of the injury. If you don’t file your claim within this time period, you will forever be barred from ever bringing a claim.
Contact Our Workers Compensation Benefits Lawyers in Spring Hill, FL
Workers that suffer the different types of Spring Hill, FL Workers compensation compensable injuries discussed here can be justly compensated in the event of a work-related injury or illness. If you have suffered a work-related injury or illness in Spring Hill, FL, call Work Injury Rights today at [Phone] to find out how we can help you recover the Workers compensation benefits you are rightfully entitled to.
