What Benefits Does Workers’ Compensation Provide?

Understanding the aftermath of a workplace injury can be daunting, but understanding your rights and the benefits available through workers’ compensation can ease some of that stress. At The Leach Firm, P.A., we stand with you as you recover, helping you grasp the full benefits you’re entitled to under workers’ compensation laws in Florida and Georgia.

 

Medical Care Coverage

First and foremost, workers’ compensation is designed to cover your medical expenses. This encompasses all necessary and reasonable treatment for your work injury, including doctor visits, hospital care, physical therapy, medication, and travel expenses to and from treatment. Rest assured, you should not have to pay out of pocket for medical care resulting from a workplace injury. Workers’ compensation medical benefits cover a wide range of treatments, including:

1. Immediate Care: Any emergency medical treatment required due to a workplace injury is covered from the moment of the incident.
2. Ongoing Treatments: Follow-up care, such as additional surgeries, physical therapy, or any other ongoing treatments prescribed by an authorized medical professional, is included.
3. Specialized Care: If specialized treatment or consultations with experts are needed, workers’ compensation typically covers these expenses.
4. Prescription Medication: Medications that are prescribed to aid in recovery or to manage pain are usually covered.
5. Rehabilitative Services: Coverage extends to services like physical therapy that are crucial for recovery and returning to work.

Medical benefits under workers’ compensation are generally provided for as long as necessary, as determined by the medical provider and authorized by the insurance carrier.

 

Lost Wages and Compensation for Disability

If your injury forces you off work, workers’ compensation provides monetary benefits to replace a portion of your lost income. Typically, this amounts to about two-thirds of your regular wages, within state-specific limits. Additionally, if your injury leads to temporary or permanent disability, whether partial or total, workers’ compensation benefits are designed to reflect the severity and duration of your disability.

 

Rehabilitation and Retraining Benefits

Recovering from a work injury might mean you cannot return to your former job duties. Workers’ compensation benefits in Florida and Georgia can include vocational rehabilitation services. These services aim to get you back into the workforce, either through adapting to your previous job or training for new employment if necessary.

 

Death Benefits for Family Members

In the tragic event of a work-related death, workers’ compensation extends benefits to the deceased worker’s dependents. These benefits provide a semblance of security during a difficult time. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand the basics:

1. Funeral and Burial Expenses: Workers’ compensation death benefits include coverage for funeral and burial costs, up to a certain amount, as determined by state laws. This assistance helps families manage the immediate financial burden of losing a family member.
2. Financial Support for Dependents: Beyond funeral expenses, the worker’s compensation program provides a form of income replacement for the dependents of the deceased. Dependents might include a spouse, children, or relatives who relied on the worker’s earnings for support.
3. Duration and Extent of Support: The duration and amount of these benefits vary, typically influenced by factors such as the dependent’s relationship to the deceased and state-specific regulations. In many cases, a surviving spouse may receive benefits until remarriage or death, and children until they reach a certain age, typically 18 or if they’re a full-time student, potentially until 22.
4. Lump-Sum or Annuity Options: Some states may offer a lump-sum payment option, while others provide annuity-like payments over time. Understanding the options available and making the best choice for your family’s needs is crucial.
5. Compassionate Legal Assistance: During such a vulnerable time, the complexities of claiming death benefits should be the least of a family’s worries. This is where having compassionate, experienced legal guidance becomes invaluable.

 

Your Right to Benefit from Workers’ Compensation

As employees in Florida and Georgia, you have the right to benefit from workers’ compensation insurance without fear of retaliation or job loss. Remember, these benefits exist to support you through recovery and ease the financial strain of a work-related injury or illness.

 

Let The Leach Firm, P.A. Support Your Claim

At The Leach Firm, P.A., we serve the people of Florida and Georgia with over 100 years of combined experience in fights against workplace discrimination, personal injury, and worker’s compensation cases. Call The Leach Firm at 844-722-7567 or contact us online for a free case evaluation with a seasoned lawyer in Florida or Georgia. Whether you need guidance on claiming your rightful benefits or assistance in the face of a dispute, we’re here to lend our knowledge and support to your case.