How Do I Seek Compensation For A South Florida Work Injury?
When you have been injured on the job in Pompano Beach or elsewhere in South Florida, you may be unable to think about anything except the pain you are feeling and the need for medical care. Yet in order to be eligible to seek financial compensation for your injuries, you will need to follow certain steps to preserve your rights. Our South Florida workers’ compensation attorneys routinely represent injured workers in a wide variety of job injury claims, and we can provide you with the information you need to seek the financial compensation you deserve. The following are steps you should take after a workplace injury in South Florida to give yourself the best chance at receiving fair compensation.
Document the Details of the Accident
While some workplace accidents result in life-threatening injuries that will make it difficult or impossible to gather evidence where the accident happened, if you are able to do so, it is often critical to document the scene where your injury occurred. For example, if you fell from a broken ladder, you will want to take photographs that show the broken ladder and the area around it where the accident happened, along with documentation of your injuries. Or, for instance, if a slipping hazard was present in the area where you fell, you should take a photo of it with your phone. If you do not have a smart phone and cannot take photos at the scene, you can take contemporaneous notes, even by hand.
Get Medical Help As Soon As Possible
Under Florida law, if there is an emergency accident at work that results in injuries, workers are not required to see a health care provider who has been approved by the employer for the initial emergency visit. However, if the first visit to a doctor is not an emergency, it is important to ensure that you follow Florida law precisely so that you do not risk losing your right to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. For an initial non-emergency visit and for any subsequent doctor’s visits, you will need to see an approved medical provider. Your medical record will be a critical piece of evidence in your workers’ compensation claim to prove that your injury arose out of the course of your employment.
Report the Accident to Your Employer As Soon As Possible or Within 30 Days
It is critical to know that you only have 30 days from the date of your workplace injury to report the injury to your employer. Although there are some limited exceptions, you should be sure that you report the accident and injury as soon as possible so that you comply with this timing requirement.
Contact a Pompano Beach Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for Help
Once you have documented the accident scene, gotten medical care, and reported the accident to your employer, it is essential to get in touch with a workers’ compensation lawyer in Pompano Beach who can help with your claim. Do not hesitate to find out how an attorney at our firm can assist you with your case. Contact the Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld, P.A. today to learn more.
Resource:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0440/0440ContentsIndex.html
