Florida’s workers’ compensation system provides “no-fault” benefits to individuals who suffer injuries and illnesses on the job. However, while you do not need to prove fault in order to file a successful claim for benefits, there are still several aspects to pursuing a workers’ compensation claim that requires experienced legal representation.
To be clear, you are not required to hire a Florida workers’ compensation lawyer to represent you. If you choose to do so, you can file a claim on your own. However, there are several important ways a lawyer can help, and it costs nothing out of pocket to hire a lawyer to represent you.
5 Reasons to Hire a Lawyer to Help with Your Florida Workers’ Compensation Claim
Here are five examples of ways that an experienced attorney can help you following an on-the-job injury or illness in Florida:
1. Making Sure You Avoid Mistakes that Could Jeopardize Your Claim for Benefits
While workers’ compensation is a “no-fault” system, you still need to take several steps in order to secure the benefits to which you are legally entitled. If you make mistakes along the way (i.e. waiting too long to file your claim or seeing the wrong doctor), you could lose your legal rights.
2. Making Sure You are Able to Prove Your Claim for Benefits
While you do not need to prove fault in order to collect workers’ compensation benefits, you do need to prove that your injury or illness is work-related. Depending on the circumstances involved, you could potentially run into various other issues of proof as well. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can anticipate these issues and address them before they create problems for your workers’ compensation claim.
3. Making Sure You Receive the Full Benefits to Which You are Entitled
Workers’ compensation insurance companies will frequently attempt to limit the amount they have to pay by either (i) paying less than the full medical or disability benefits that are owed, or (ii) terminating workers’ benefits prematurely. When you hire a lawyer to represent you, your lawyer can help make sure that you receive the full benefits to which you are legally entitled.
4. Dealing with Any Delays and Denials on Your Behalf
If your employer’s insurance company delays payment of benefits or attempts to deny your workers’ compensation claim, your lawyer can deal with these issues on your behalf as well. Depending on the circumstances involved, this may mean dealing with the insurance company directly, or it may mean filing an appeal with the Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims (OJCC).
5. Determining if You Have a Claim Outside of Workers’ Compensation
Finally, in addition to pursuing your workers’ compensation claim, your lawyer can also determine if you have any other claims for financial compensation. If you do, then your lawyer will be able to seek damages above and beyond the maximum benefits that are available under Florida’s workers’ compensation law.
Schedule a Free Consultation at Maus Law Firm in Fort Lauderdale, FL
If you would like more information about how a lawyer can help with your workers’ compensation claim, we encourage you to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at Maus Law Firm. To speak with Florida workers’ compensation lawyer Joseph Maus in confidence, call 855-999-5297 or tell us how we can help online now.