At The Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld P.A., we represent injured workers throughout Florida in claims for workers’ compensation benefits. If you are dealing with Patriot Risk Services for your claim, we can fight to recover the benefits you deserve. Get started with a free consultation today.
When you get injured on the job, you need to collect workers’ compensation benefits, and you need to collect them as soon as possible. Medical bills from a work-related injury can pile up quickly, and if you are unable to work for an extended period of time, your rent or mortgage and other expenses could all become too much for you to handle. Without the benefits to which you are legally entitled, your injury could have consequences that affect your life for years to come.
Filing a successful workers’ compensation claim is challenging enough on its own. But, if Patriot Risk Services is involved in your claim, you may find it even more difficult to collect the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve. Patriot Risk Services gets paid to minimize employers’ and insurance companies’ liability for job-related injuries, and its investigators and “loss control experts” focus their time and effort on making sure people like you recover as little as possible.
Tips for Your Workers’ Compensation Benefits Claim
If you are dealing with Patriot Risk Services for your workers’ compensation claim in Florida, hiring an experienced attorney is the best way to protect your legal rights. In addition, the following tips can help you protect and maximize your benefits claim:
Tip #1: Seek a Second Medical Opinion.
While Florida law requires you to see a doctor approved by your employer or its insurance company, seeking a second opinion can often be an important step toward filing a successful claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Particularly if someone from Patriot Risk Services is questioning the extent of your injuries or your need for treatment, securing a second opinion can be critical to collecting the benefits you deserve. At The Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld P.A., our attorneys can advise you on whether it makes sense to seek a second opinion for your workers’ compensation benefits claim.
Tip #2: Do Not Return to Work Too Soon.
Whether for financial reasons or because you feel pressured by your employer, you may be considering returning to work before your doctor recommends. Generally speaking, this is a mistake you need to avoid. If you return to work too soon, not only could you exacerbate your injury, but you could also make it easier for Patriot Risk Services to deny or limit your claim.
Tip #3: Know Your Rights.
Patriot Risk Services works for your employer or its insurance company. Patriot Risk Services does not work for you, and its employees do not have your best interests in mind. As a result, you do not have to discuss your claim with anyone from Patriot Risk Services, and you have the right to be represented by an attorney in all matters pertaining to your claim. You also have the right to receive the full benefits to which you are entitled under the law; and, no matter what anyone tells you, you do not have to settle for less than you deserve.
Benefits Available Through Florida Workers’ Compensation
When filing a claim for workers’ compensation, it is also important to know what benefits you have available. The more you know, the better you can protect your rights. Under Florida’s workers’ compensation law, eligible workers are entitled to the following types of workers’ compensation benefits:
- Medical Benefits – Eligible workers are entitled to full coverage for their injury-related medical expenses. This includes treatment, surgeries, prescriptions, and hospitalizations.
- Disability Benefits – In Florida, disability benefits fall into five categories: Indemnity Benefits (for any disability lasting seven days or longer), Temporary Total Disability Benefits, Temporary Partial Disability Benefits, Impairment Benefits (for permanent disabilities), and Permanent Total Disability. These benefits provide partial wage replacement, and the amount you are entitled to recover depends on the nature and extent of your job-related injury.
If anyone from Patriot Risk Services has questioned you about your accident, or if someone from Patriot Risk Services has tried to tell you the amount you are entitled to recover, you need to speak with an attorney before you do anything that could jeopardize your claim. To speak with one of our experienced Florida workers’ compensation attorneys in confidence, contact us today.
Speak with an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
To learn more about protecting your right to workers’ compensation benefits, contact The Law Offices of David M. Benenfeld P.A. for a free, confidential consultation with an experienced attorney. You can call us 24/7 at 954-677-0155, or reach out to us online and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
