​Brandon Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

Worker’s compensation benefits exist to help injured victims recover, yet the process of retrieving benefits can be complex and lengthy. After a work-related injury, focusing on recovery should be your top priority, not dealing wit

h the insurance company. After an initial injury report, you have two years to proceed with a worker’s compensation benefits claim. If you’ve sustained an injury on the job, it will be in your best interest to promptly seek the advice of an

experienced Brandon worker’s compensation lawyer.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a workplace accident in Brandon, FL, you might deserve benefits and compensation for your losses.

Speaking with a qualified worker’s compensation attorney at Boohoff Law is the best way to ensure you do everything you need to protect your rights as an employee. We achieve successful results for many injured clients, and we can help you.

Contact us for an initial consultation with one of our lawyers, who can provide you with a better understanding of the next steps you should take in your case.

We Help Employees in Brandon

Brandon has some large corporations that employ many people, including:

• Brandon Regional Hospital
• InMotion Global
• Talk Fusion
• Suncoast Community Health Centers
• Avatel Technologies
• HCA Healthcare
• Ross Stores
• Adventist Health Systems

When you hit an obstacle in a workers’ compensation claim, going up against your large employer and its insurance companies can intimidate you. The good news is that Boohoff Law does not hesitate to take on these large companies and stand up for your rights as an injured worker.

What Employees Need to Know About Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Hiring an attorney who understands how the Florida worker’s compensation law works can help you avoid a mistake that may result in a denial of your claim or request for treatment.

Florida mandates that employers carry worker’s compensation insurance. These insurance benefits cover medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs that resulted from a work-related accident. This form of coverage may also pay death benefits to families of employees killed on the job.

The government offers its own workers’ compensation insurance for federal employees. The wage and medical benefits will vary by state law. Regardless of who was at fault for an injury, injured employees may be eligible to receive workers’ comp benefits in most situations. These benefits rely on a social contract between management and an employee. By purchasing worker’s compensation insurance, business owners protect themselves from being sued by an employee injured on the job.

For an injured employee to take advantage of workers’ compensation benefits, they must meet a set of criteria. These requirements are:

1. The employer must carry workers’ compensation coverage. An employer’s responsibility to provide this type of coverage will generally depend on what type of business it is and how many employees the company has.
2. When it comes to workers’ compensation eligibility, you must be an employee to obtain benefits. Independent contractors like freelancers or even volunteer workers typically aren’t entitled to workers’ comp benefits. The court will generally review the amount of control you have over your work and other details of your working relationship with your employer.
3.  The injury or illness you’ve sustained must be work-related. If you hurt your back while loading boxes during your shift at your warehouse job, you may seek workers’ compensation benefits. If you sustain an injury during your lunch break or at a company-sponsored social event, compensation is more difficult to obtain. Heavy labor workers aren’t the only type of employees that experience work-related injuries.
4. Failing to meet your state’s reporting and filing deadlines can cause you to lose your right to receive workers’ comp benefits. If you suffered injuries in a work-related accident, you need to make your employer aware of your injury right away and record the incident as soon as you can.

While worker’s compensation insurance aims to cover a broad scope of work-related injuries and situations, some limits may restrict an employee’s workers’ compensation benefits. For instance, if an alcohol or drug test shows that the employee was under the influence at the time of the injury, they may become ineligible to receive benefits. An injured employee may also receive a denial of compensation if their injury was self-inflicted, occurred because the employee broke the law, or the injury did not occur while the employee was on the job or working.

How to Start the Workers’ Comp Claims Process

Thousands of Florida employees file workers’ comp claims for job-related injuries and health conditions each year. Workers’ compensation provides benefits for various physical and mental injuries and illnesses. If you suffered injuries or are experiencing a new or aggravated health condition related to your job duties, you may seek compensation for medical bills or to replace lost income.

Step 1: Record Details of the Incident

Write down details of what happened, including the circumstances of the accident, as soon as possible. Take pictures of your injuries and obtain contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident. Gather copies of your medical records, which can be used as proof of your injuries and may help prove the value of your claim. Be sure to keep records of the details of your injury, medical records, and any other associated out-of-pocket costs safe.

Step 2: Seek Medical Treatment Right Away

If you’re experiencing an emergency in the aftermath of a work-related accident, get emergency attention as soon as possible. After reporting the injury to your employer, you will have to obtain an evaluation by an insurance-authorized physician. To prove that your workplace accident was the direct cause of your injuries, you should ask your physician to document and include any necessary details in your records.

Step 3: Alert Your Employer Immediately

Report your injury to your employer as soon as possible after an accident, either orally or in writing. If your employer has any special procedures or deadlines for reporting injuries, it is essential to be aware of these and abide by these specific rules. When an employer fails to report the injury, the injured person can report the claim themselves using the correct form on the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation website.​

Step 4: Refrain From Speaking With the Insurance Company

Be aware that you are not required to provide the insurance company with any information about the accident or your injuries, even if requested. An insurance adjuster will attempt to get information from you to try to show that you are not injured or disabled and can continue to work. Inform the insurer that you will retain a workers’ comp attorney who will handle your claim and speak with an adjuster on your behalf.

Step 5: Fighting Against a Denied Claim

If your employer or the insurance company denies your workers’ comp claim, you can appeal the decision and have them reconsider your original claim. Hiring an attorney and having them file an appeal for the court on your behalf will allow you to win the maximum benefits you deserve. Talk to one of our Brandon Worker’s Compensation attorneys about the process accompanying a workers’ comp denial.

More than half of workers’ compensation claims end in a denial by the employer or insurance carriers who are in the business of making a profit and looking to manipulate victims of accidents into accepting as little as possible. Our Brandon workers’ compensation attorneys understand the difficulties you may be facing after a work-related injury.

Consulting an experienced personal injury lawyer will increase your chances of receiving workers’ comp for your injuries. While the process of workers’ compensation claims may seem complicated, here are detailed instructions on steps you should take to ensure your best chance at obtaining benefits.​​

Benefits That Workers’ Compensation Provides

When you sustain injuries on the job, you may be eligible to receive different kinds of compensation for your injuries. For instance, if you sustained a severe injury and cannot return to work for more than seven days, you may seek indemnity damages. Below are some examples of benefits available in a Brandon workers’ comp claim:

Total or Partial Disability Coverage

If your medical provider says you cannot return to work, you may receive two-thirds of the regular wages you earned before the accident, paid to you starting on your eighth day of missing work. In situations where injuries are severe, you may receive up to 80 percent of your regular wages for six months after sustaining your injury. For temporary total disability or partial incapacity, you may receive benefits for up to two years after an accident.

Impairment Benefits

After your doctor determines that you have reached maximum medical improvement, they can begin to measure the potential for permanent impairment and any work restrictions those impairments can bring about. Your physician will give your injuries a permanent impairment rating to determine your eligibility for financial advantages in your workers’ comp claim. A permanent impairment rating assigned by an authorized provider does not always adequately reflect the severity of your injuries. One of our skilled Brandon worker’s compensation attorneys can evaluate your case and determine the amount of compensation you may require for your specific injuries.​​​

Medical Care

After an accident, the worst thing you can do is put off medical care. If you adhere to all workers’ comp eligibility guidelines, your employer must take care of your medical treatment needs. For a worker’s compensation claim, a physician approved by the workers’ compensation insurer must evaluate you. After this initial evaluation, you may seek the advice of your regular medical provider. ​​

Reemployment Services

When injured workers cannot return to work, they may seek reemployment services to go back to work. Services you may receive include vocational counseling, job analysis, options or placement, skills training for job seeking, education, or other services that may assist an injured worker in returning to work. If a work-related accident injured you, you can request these services from the Division of Workers’ Compensation Bureau of Employee Assistance and Ombudsman Office.​​​​

Get in Touch With Our Brandon Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

After a work-related accident, you deserve benefits for your injuries and losses. Our Brandon workers’ compensation lawyers at Boohoff Law are committed to prioritizing your case by giving you our full attention and support. We understand that you may have concerns about protecting your right during this challenging time, which is why we’re ready to fight for full and fair compensation on your behalf.

You can reach us at our Brandon office at (813) 321-7878 or through the contact page of our website no matter when you get injured or when you call.

330 Pauls Drive, Suite 222
Brandon, FL 33511
(813) 321-7878