- Workers' Compensation
Most of the time, people who are hurt on the job apply for workers compensation and are approved. It’s usually rather obvious that their injuries happened on the job. However, there are times when it’s not so easy to prove that your injuries are work-related. That’s when it’s a good idea to call one of our Tampa workers comp lawyers.
Only Employees Who Are Hurt on the Job Are Entitled to Workers Compensation Benefits
The only way you will receive workers’ compensation benefits is if you meet certain criteria. In Florida, as in most other states, there are certain requirements you must meet in order to qualify for benefits.
One of the most important requirements is that your injuries occurred while you were working. You aren’t covered for injuries that take place on the way to or from work. Worker’s compensation also won’t cover injuries you sustain while on lunch or on break. If you’re interested in learning more about how to claim workers’ comp benefits in Florida, visit this page
It Can Be Tricky for Remote Workers to Prove They Qualify for Benefits
If you work from home, it can be nearly impossible to prove that your injuries are work-related. That’s why it’s a good idea to meet with a Tampa workers comp attorney. Our associates have handled hundreds of cases involving remote workers.
Usually, the key to proving these cases is demonstrating that you were acting within the scope of your employment at the time of your injury. For example, if you were entering payroll into your laptop and your chair fell, it would seem obvious that your injuries are work-related.
The problem is that your employer may still deny your claim. That’s one of the difficulties of working remotely.
Our Tampa Workers Comp Lawyers Represent a Lot of People Who Work on the Road
Remote workers aren’t the only ones who have a hard time proving they qualify for workers compensation. Many employees who work on the road run into the same problem.
Over the years, our Tampa workers comp attorneys have represented hundreds, if not thousands of workers who travel for work. Some of them are salespeople. Others are corporate managers who have to travel to various company locations.
When you’re on the road all the time, there’s a good chance you could get hurt in a motor vehicle accident. Or you could slip and fall while on a client’s property. You need to let your Tampa workers comp lawyer know exactly what happened so they can paint an accurate picture for the insurance company.
Salespeople Have a Difficult Time Proving They Were Working at the Time of Their Injury
If you are a salesperson, you probably spend more than half your time on the road. Between meeting with clients and vendors, it may seem like you spend all day driving. You don’t have to check in with work all that often, as long as you complete your visits on time.
This means it is hard for your employer to know when you’re working and when you’re on personal time. If you get hurt, they may assume that it happened while you were running personal errands. Or they may think that you were on break or lunch at the time of your accident.
Delivery People Also Run Into Trouble Trying to Prove They Deserve Benefits
Delivery people have the same issues as salespeople. Regardless of what you deliver, it can be hard to prove exactly what you were doing at the time of your accident. It’s one thing if you get hurt while delivering a product to a client. They can attest to the fact that you got hurt on their property.
It’s something else altogether if you get into a car accident. Your Tampa workers comp attorney may have to submit a copy of your itinerary for the day to prove that your injuries were work-related.
Your Tampa Workers Comp Lawyer Needs to Show That You Were Acting Within the Scope of Your Employment
The bottom line is that no matter what kind of work you do, your Tampa workers comp lawyer must prove you qualify for benefits. This means they must show that you were acting within the scope of your employment at the time of your accident.
They will take a look at your job description and find out what your exact duties were. They will then have you explain how a normal day of work is for you. If they can prove that you were engaged in a work-related task when you got hurt, there’s a better chance your claim will be approved.
Your Attorney Will Have to Submit Specific Evidence Proving Your Case
If your employer denies your claim, your Tampa workers comp attorney will have to prove that you deserve benefits. They may need to submit specific proof that you were working at the time of your injuries.
This could include some or all of the following:
- Witness statements
- Video or pictures of the incident
- An accident or incident form completed at a client’s office or store
- Proof of an ambulance ride from an off-site location
- Your own testimony
- Your driving log
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. It all depends on what you do for a living. Once you have a chance to sit down with your Tampa workers comp lawyer, you’ll have a better idea of what specific proof they’ll offer in your case.
Our Tampa Workers Comp Attorneys Have Decades of Combined Experience Handling These Cases
If you’ve been denied workers compensation benefits, you’re probably angry and frustrated. You count on your employer to do the right thing if you get hurt on the job. The good news is that our Tampa workers comp attorneys can help you appeal your claim and fight to get the benefits you deserve.
We recommend that you contact our office today and schedule your free, initial consultation. We understand that you are worried about paying your bills, especially if you’re still out of work. You’ll be happy to know that you don’t pay our firm a penny until we settle your case.
