Knowing what to do after a workplace accident in Coral Gables can protect both your recovery and your right to benefits. A serious work injury can interrupt your income and upend your daily routine, and the steps you take early on often shape how your workers’ compensation claim moves forward.
Our attorneys can get the process started and help you report the accident and respond when an insurance carrier questions your injury. At Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia, we help injured employees pursue medical treatment and wage benefits after a serious workplace injury.
Following a workplace injury in Coral Gables, your next step should be to report the injury to a supervisor as soon as possible. Fla. Stat. § 440.185 requires an employee to notify the employer within 30 days of the accident or the first clear sign of a work-related injury. A prompt report makes it harder for the carrier to argue that your injury happened outside of work.
You should also request treatment through your employer or its insurance carrier. Under Fla. Stat. § 440.13, workers’ compensation covers the authorized medical care that is reasonably necessary for your recovery. If your employer does not direct you to a provider, make your request in writing and keep a copy of your request. Seeking care quickly strengthens the connection between your job and your injury.
The actions you take after a workplace accident can affect the timing of your benefits. You should keep this process organized to avoid giving the insurer reasons to dispute your claim. Helpful steps include:
The workers’ compensation system usually does not require you to prove that your employer was careless. Even so, the insurer may still dispute whether the injury happened at work or argue that your treatment is unnecessary. If you are wondering how to proceed, state law also protects employees from retaliation for filing a claim, so a sudden change in your job status after a workplace injury is worth discussing with an attorney.
After a workplace accident in Coral Gables, you will want to know how workers’ compensation may provide medical care and partial wage replacement. If an authorized doctor limits your duties, your employer may offer light-duty work. When no suitable position is available, you may qualify for temporary disability benefits while you heal. Depending on your medical status, those payments may be temporary total or temporary partial disability benefits. A permanent impairment rating can also affect what you receive once you reach maximum medical improvement.
Fla. Sta. § 440.20 addresses the payment of compensation, and Fla. Sta. § 440.19 sets the time limits for filing a petition when a dispute arises. Acting within these deadlines protects your right to pursue what you are owed. Some workplace injuries also involve a third party, such as a negligent driver, which can open an additional claim beyond workers’ compensation.
A workplace injury can leave you facing mounting medical bills and loss of income. Our team works on a contingency fee, and can explain the workers’ compensation process and deal directly with the insurance carrier, so you can focus on getting better.
If you need guidance on what to do after a workplace accident in Coral Gables, contact our team at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia today to discuss your claim and the steps that follow.
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