Steps to Filing Workers Comp Claim in Florida

Filing a Workers Comp claim in Florida can be an extremely difficult process. The overwhelming amount of paperwork that must be submitted to Florida's Workers' Compensation Commission is just one hassle you don't want to have to deal with when recovering from an injury. Along with the filing paperwork comes the daunting task of having to wait a long period of time before a judge or jury makes their decision. This can be a disconcerting and demoralizing experience but understanding the steps to filing workers compensation claims in Florida will put your mind at ease as you move through the process.

Every state in the United States requires employers to carry some type of workers compensation insurance coverage. Florida, like many other states, is very restrictive in terms of what workers comp coverage it allows companies to carry. According to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, businesses in Florida may only seek workers' comp benefits from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation if the "occurrence" of their accident has resulted in "a lasting disability." These standards are designed to prevent insurers from being required to pay for injuries that have healed as of the date of the filing of the Workers' Comp claim. This ensures that only those individuals who have actually been injured and that their injuries have lasted a significant amount of time, are considered for benefits. 

If your employer does not carry adequate workers compensation insurance in Florida, you may choose to file separate workers comp claim against them. Florida state law provides the Workers' Comp Council with the authority to refer claims to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation for determination of eligibility. If the workers comp claim is denied by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, the claim may be filed with the Florida Department of Financial Services. The state of Florida is not an appropriate place to file for workers comp benefits if you previously had no Workers' Comp insurance or are uninsurable due to pre-existing medical conditions. Ensure that you open this link firstcoastaccidentlawyers.com for more info relating to this topic.. 

The most common steps to filing a claim involves documenting the date of the incident, providing the date and location of work performed, and providing documentation about the severity of the injury. The next step is to document the duration of the injury and set down the amount of money that was lost by the patient as a result of the injury. In addition to writing down the names and addresses of all medical personnel who were involved in the treatment process, you should also take photos of any lab reports, prescriptions and receipts that were issued as proof of work performed by employees. These can be provided as attachments to the workers comp claim when filing electronically. All medical bills should be attached or filed electronically as well.

The next step to filing a workers' compensation claim in Florida is to contact an attorney bsed at firm. While it is not mandatory that you retain an attorney, it is highly recommended. An attorney will be able to provide much needed guidance throughout the claims process and ensure that your rights are protected. Many workers believe they have legal rights only until they have had their day in court and the outcome is either an acquittal or an ultimate dismissal of the case. If you choose to proceed with a Florida workers comp claim without the help of an attorney, you may find that your rights are trampled on.

Finally, when filing for compensation in Florida, you should make every effort to get a doctors' note or recommendation for future medical care. Even if a doctor states that no injuries occurred as a result of the work performed, this does not mean that there was no damage done. In Florida, workers' compensation claims are not red-lighted for negligence. However, Florida has placed a limit on how much compensation can be sought for pain and suffering. If a doctor states that you likely did not suffer any permanent damage as a result of your work, this cannot be used against you during your appeal. Here is an alternative post for more info on the topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law.