Have you been injured on the job?
Work injuries can be confusing and scary to navigate, and Google won’t have the answers to all of your questions. Luckily, Orlando work injury lawyers can help. If you’ve been injured and you’re not sure how to proceed, Orlando work injury lawyers can answer your questions and give you advice on how to move forward with their work-related injury claims.
Injured workers all have unique cases and pose different questions. Some questions, like those involving legal fees, are common. Other questions, like those concerning time limits, warrant more careful answers — answers that you will need to know.
Below, you’ll find five common questions that workers have for Orlando work injury lawyers and our answers to them.
1. Am I eligible for workers’ compensation if I was injured during my first week?
The answer to this question is “yes.”
There’s a common misconception that you need to be working in a company for at least a year to be eligible for workers’ comp, but this is not true. Employees are eligible for Florida’s workers’ comp benefits as soon as they become part of a company.
As an employee, you can claim workers’ compensation for any injuries you sustain on the job at any time. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been with the company.
2. Is there a time limit to filing a claim?
Yes, there is a time limit to filing a claim for workers’ compensation. The statute of limitations for work-related injury claims varies by state, but in Florida, the statute of limitations is two years. This means that an injured worker has two years from the date of the injury to file their workers’ comp claim.
On paper, the two-year time limit is straightforward. However, it becomes difficult to determine a date of injury when your injury stems from repeated exposure or your injury is psychological or emotional. In these instances, hiring a workers’ comp lawyer in Orlando is crucial to the success of your claim.
3. Should I pay for legal services up front?
Payment options vary from lawyer to lawyer, so be sure to ask your Orlando workers’ comp lawyer when your payment will be expected.
Some lawyers render services after receiving payment upfront — this may be a lump sum or a percentage of the attorney’s fees. Other Orlando workers’ comp lawyers collect payment on a contingency basis. This allows you to pay your attorney later; they will collect a percentage of any amount you win from your workers’ comp claim, ensuring that you’ll have the money to make the payment.
At Sternberg and Forsythe, we have several payment options available for our clients. Call us to learn more about our payment plans.
4. What will workers’ compensation pay for if I win?
You can recover workers’ comp benefits after a successful work-related injury claim. Florida workers’ comp includes two types of benefits: one is for medical coverage, and the other is for wage losses.
Workers’ compensation will cover several forms of medical expenses, like your medical treatments and the cost of rehabilitation.
Other benefits you can get from workers’ comp include disability and wage-loss benefits. Disability benefit payments depend on the level of impairment caused by your work-related injury. You can also recover wages for each day of work missed as a part of your wage-loss benefits.
Workers’ compensation in Florida does not cover non-economic damages, like loss of companionship or decreased quality of life. You also won’t be compensated for pain and suffering through a workers’ compensation claim.
5. Can I pursue my workers’ compensation claim myself?
We get this question frequently from those looking to represent themselves in their claims. While the answer to this question is “yes,” we at Sternberg and Forsythe do not recommend self-representation. Here’s why:
First, any workers’ comp claim concerns the claimant (you), the employer, and the employer’s insurance provider. Dealing with two parties in a legal battle is challenging and complex, especially in Florida. If you want to level the playing field, so to speak, you need legal representation in your corner.
Second, the claims process in and of itself is very complex in Florida. While you have two years to file your claim, juggling the necessary documents and procedures can eat up your time faster than you’d think. Orlando workers’ comp lawyers can streamline the process, ensuring that your case moves forward within the two-year window so you have a fair shot at being compensated.
Still Have Questions? Our Orlando Workers’ Comp Lawyers Are Here to Help
Workers’ comp in Florida can be very confusing due to the complexities of statutes and perceived gray areas in the laws. If you need someone to help you through this complicated process, our doors are open to you.
Whether you’re seeking representation or you simply need someone to answer a few questions about workers’ comp in Florida, you can reach out to us for help. Get in touch with us today for a free estimate.