Navarre Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
What Qualifies as a Workers’ Compensation Claim if You Have Been Injured at Work
If you have been injured or acquired an illness or disease while working for a non-exempt employer (see criteria below), you need to inform your employer and file a workers’ compensation claim. You will not receive any payments to replace lost earnings during the first seven days after a work injury. However, if that injury or illness keeps you away from your job for more than 21 days and your employer is covered by workers’ comp insurance, the insurer should pay you for those first seven days also. Speak to a qualified workers’ comp attorney who can explain the compensation you should receive in workers’ compensation benefits under Florida’s Workers Compensation Act. You will not have to prove fault on the part of your employer to be considered for benefits. Unfortunately, the process to be awarded benefits is not an easy or guaranteed one.
The claims process in Florida doesn’t have to be difficult but for many applicants it is, and it almost seems designed to cause employees frustration giving up on pursuing the benefits they really are entitled to.
Furthermore, the workers’ compensation insurance underwriter, like in most claims situations is not on the side of injured employees. Their goal is to pay the claimant as little as possible for their workplace injuries. These low-ball compensations offers, are designed to aid their financial bottom line, not ensure the injured party is covered to pay medical expenses and lost wages.
Will Hiring Whibbs Stone Barnett Turner, PA Get You a Better Settlement Offer?
With over 30 years of experience, helping to settle 1000’s of workers comp claims and receiving millions of dollars in compensation for their injured clients, Whibbs Stone Barnett Turner, PA has a successful and exemplary track record. When formidable forces come to bear on injured workers and their families, it becomes time to select a competent and skilled workers’ compensation attorney who can assist you in filing and completing your claim to receive fair compensation for your injuries. Insurance companies understand we win significant victories for our clients. It takes skill and experience to represent workers injured on-the-job because there are many factors that need to be established before settling a workers compensation claim. Employers and their insurance underwriters understand there is much at stake, so many times they employ tactics to slow or complicate the process putting injured workers at a disadvantage without the help of a qualified legal representative.
Some examples include:
- The employer denies your claim. It is very common for some employers to deny a workers’ compensation claim or dismiss it altogether on a technicality. Their assumption is that the injured employee will not appeal their decision. If you have been denied by the employer’s insurance company, this is not the final word in your case. An attorney from Whibbs Stone Barnett Turner, PA can review your case and help you prepare an appeal.
- The Insurance Company makes a low settlement offer. Many injured employees receive very low settlement offers believing that they have no way of knowing the precise value of their case. Often these offers do not contain enough money to cover medical bills and lost wages. If you are unsure you have received a fair offer, contact our office to review your claim.
- Your injuries prevent you from returning to your current job. Many on-the-job injuries result in a partial or totally disabled employee that could prevent you from returning to work. These workplace injuries might also keep you from participating in similar types of employment. These types of cases can be very expensive for insurance companies to settle. Usually, insurance underwriters will make you an offer for as little as possible. This is another instance where you will want a qualified workers’ compensation attorney evaluating your claim and representing your interests.
- You may receive Social Security disability benefits from your injury (SSD). If an employee suffers a debilitating injury, or disease they might qualify for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits. Be careful when filing because if the employees’ workers’ compensation settlement is not structured properly, the injured employee might end up receiving significantly lower benefits from Social Security than they are entitled to. At Whibbs Stone Barnett Turner, PA, we have handled 1000’s of both workers’ compensation and SSD claims. With our help we can help ensure that the workers’ compensation settlements are drafted in a way that reduces any adverse effects it could have on the SSD claim.
- Your injury might have been caused (possibly in part) by the careless actions of a third party.
- Many workplace injuries are sustained due to the negligence of an outside party, other than the employer or a coworker who may be in part to blame. Third parties such as subcontractors, independent suppliers etc. might have caused the accident. There also might be faulty equipment or machinery involved that contributed or even caused the employee to become injured. In these situations, the employee may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit directly against that responsible party. This may allow them to receive additional types of compensation. Monies over and above the original workers compensation claim that was brought about against their employer.
Should Whibbs Stone Barnett Turner, PA Handle Your Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Injured employees usually have many unanswered questions regarding their workers’ compensation case. For instance, “is it important to hire a workers’ comp attorney who specializes in these types of claims? Should I just expect my employer and their insurance carrier to offer me the correct compensation to cover my current and future medical bills and any lost wages I have incurred? Can Whibbs Stone Barnett Turner, PA really get me a better settlement, or should I go it alone? What about if I am denied compensation, who will handle any appeals on this denial of claims? Who can help identify third party defendants if there are mitigating circumstances involved in my case?
The answer to those and many other questions are what we are here for. Whibbs Stone Barnett Turner, PA has been practicing workers’ compensation law for over 30 years with significant awards many times in the millions of dollars. If you have suffered a workplace injury, acquired a disease or debilitating illness you need to file a workers compensation claim. You should also know as an employee you are up against numerous obstacles sometimes including your own employer.
At Whibbs Stone Barnett Turner, PA. we offer free, no-obligation consultations on workers’ compensation and personal injury cases. Give us a call today to speak directly to a workers’ comp attorney who can help you sort out all the factors in your case. We can also give you an idea of what your compensation case is worth. We look forward to delivering the service you expect and the compensation you deserve.
