If you are injured at work in the State of Florida, you should immediately report your injury to your employer (although the law allows you 30 days from the date of your accident to report your injury.)
The employer should report your injury to the insurance company within 7 days of their knowledge. The insurance company should send you information within 3 days of receiving notice of your injury.
You have the right to medical care for your injuries, and your employer or insurance company can authorize a medical provider for your treatment. You are not required to pay anything for authorized medical care, including the cost of prescription medication.
If you are unable to work or are earning less than you were before your accident due to your injuries, you should receive benefits for your lost wages. After receiving medical care and wage loss benefits, your authorized treating physician may inform you that you have been placed at MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement). If you are unable to return to the type of work you did prior to your injury, re-training is available to you at no cost.
There is a statute of limitations in Workers' Compensation that can cause you to lose your right to benefits. In most claims, there is a two-year period after your date of accident to file a Petition for Benefits. In addition, if you were injured on or after January 1, 1994 , the claim is closed one year from the date benefits were last provided. If you were injured before January 1, 1994 , the period is two (2) years.
The above information is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice relative to your claim. Please contact Ashley R. Wren, Esquire for answers to any specific questions you may have.
