It can be an alarming experience when involved in an accident at work and it can seriously eat into your household finances as well, especially if the injury is serious. Fortunately, most employers in Florida are required by law to provide workers’ compensation insurance which is designed to protect their employees in the event of a workplace accident. Workers’ compensation can help to pay for medical treatment as well as a part of any lost earnings. If a claim is denied or you are in the very small group of workers who does not have legitimate workers’ compensation cover you may be able to file a personal injury claim. Talk to an attorney before submitting claim. Choosing a Workers’ Comp. Attorney in Jacksonville It is sensible to at least talk to a licensed Jacksonville workers’ compensation attorney before deciding to file a workers’ comp. claim. A good attorney can save you time and will ensure you file the correct documentation required by your employer’s insurer. There are over 100 attorneys operating in Jacksonville who provide legal assistance for workers’ compensation claims. Even if you decide to file a personal injury claim because your employer does not have WC coverage, it may be wise to use a workers’ comp. attorney as he or she will have had experience dealing with employers and their insurers. Common Injuries at Work in Jacksonville Probably the majority of Jacksonville workers are employed in the service industry. While there are risks in any workplace, the greatest number of serious, non-fatal injuries and fatal workplace injuries occur in the transportation, production and construction industries. Figures are provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics* which updates its workplace injury records regularly (last update for Florida was in 2016). Production work can be quite risky, even if the employer ensures that workers are trained and made aware of safety equipment and procedures. Accidents regularly take place on production lines when body parts become entangled and harmed by moving machinery. Some of the worst injuries happen when machinery is not turned off during routine inspection. The Workers’ Compensation Procedure in Florida Workers’ compensation must be provided by all employers in Florida, with very few exceptions. Workers’ comp. is a no-fault type of insurance, so you do not have to prove that your employer was at fault like you would have to do if it was a personal injury claim. If you are injured at work in Jacksonville, you must inform your employer through your supervisor within 30 days of the injury and file a claim with your employer’s insurer within 2 years of the injury. In all workplace injury cases, it is in fact recommended that you proceed with a claim as soon as you are able to do so, depending on whether you have recovered sufficiently. In the less likely event that you are forced to file a personal injury claim against your employer, you must have proof that negligence had occurred and the state’s statute of limitation requires you to file the claim within 4 years of the injury. In this case, the claim should first be filed with the Duval County Court in West Adams St, Jacksonville. Florida has moved to an online filing procedure. Your attorney will help you make sure the claim is filed correctly. Use a Free Claim Evaluation to Find a Suitable Jacksonville Based Attorney With over 100 qualified and seemingly very suitable attorneys offering legal assistance for workers’ compensation claimants it can be hard to know who to choose. That’s when our free claim evaluation form can come in useful. You can fill it in online here. Additional Information What is the Workers’ Compensation Filing Process in Florida? Florida Workers' Compensation FAQ Workers' Compensation Attorneys in Florida Workers' Compensation in Florida Hurt Working At Miller's Ale House *Source: bls.gov/iif/oshstate.htm#FL
