Most employers in Florida and Georgia are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to protect employees. When an employee is hurt at work, workers’ compensation pays them certain benefits and covers many necessary expenses. 

What is Workers’ Comp?

Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance program to help employees injured on the job. If an employee suffers an injury while working, they may file a workers’ comp claim to begin receiving benefits. Workers’ comp can help employees and their families during financially challenging times.

Employees’ Rights Under Workers’ Compensation

Rights under workers’ comp vary from state to state, so employees in Florida may receive slightly different benefits or be required to follow somewhat different procedures than workers in Georgia. However, there are general rights an employee can expect if they are injured at work. These include:

• The right to seek medical attention and treatment following the accident
• The right to seek lost wages if you cannot return to work after the accident
• The right to return to work once the employee’s physician has determined they are able to do so
• The right to seek longer lost wages for any permanent disability caused by the workplace injuries
• The right to appeal any decision an employee receives
• The right to seek attorney representation.

No Retaliation Against the Employee

Another general right employees can expect is the right to file a workers’ comp claim without fear of retaliation by their employer. When an employer retaliates illegally, the employee may have the right to seek legal remedies.

If you live in Georgia or Florida, the workers’ compensation attorneys at The Leach Firm can review your case and inform you of both your rights and available benefits under the law. 

The Right to File a Lawsuit

While employees can receive medical and wage benefits through the workers’ compensation program, there is one tradeoff: employees do not have a right to sue their employer directly for negligence for on-the-job injuries. Workers’ compensation insurance protects employers from lawsuits filed by injured employees. Compensation for injuries is generally solely provided through workers’ comp.

Although employees are not allowed to sue their employers, they do have a right to sue third-parties (other company or person). A knowledgeable workers’ comp attorney could determine whether a third-party played a role in the employee’s accident so that the employee would be allowed to file a lawsuit to recover for their injuries. 

Consult a Workers’ Compensation Attorney

The workers’ comp claims process can be difficult to navigate alone. Insurance companies often deny claims and employees frequently need to file an appeal in order to receive benefits. 

If you or a loved one have been injured at work, contact a workers’ compensation lawyer at The Leach Firm. We offer sound legal guidance for the representation you deserve in Florida or Georgia. Contact us today at (844) 722-7567 to schedule a free consultation. 

If you suffer an injury while on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, steps should be taken to ensure you protect your right to receive these benefits.

1. Seek Medical Attention. Your health is the top priority. After an accident resulting in injuries, seek medical aid. If your injuries are severe or life-threatening, call 911. Otherwise, visit an employer-approved doctor. You should have access to a list of approved medical providers in the case of an accident at work.
2. Report Your Accident. Aside from receiving medical care, reporting a workplace accident to your employer is the most important step. Your immediate supervisor should be notified as quickly as possible. If you fail to report the accident, you may forfeit your right to workers’ comp benefits.
3. Gather Evidence. Any information you can gather may be useful. Evidence may include:

• Medical records
• Photos and videos of the scene
• Witness information

Evidence can help you in case you fail to receive all the benefits owed to you or if your claim is denied altogether. 

Consult with a Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Florida or Georgia

After sustaining injuries in a workplace accident, employees should consult with a workers’ comp lawyer. An attorney can guide injured employees through the workers’ comp claims process and help ensure they receive the benefits they are entitled to. 

If you or a loved one has been injured at work, contact one of our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers at the Leach Firm. We can assess your case and offer the best legal guidance for the representation you deserve in Florida and Georgia. Contact us today at (844) 722-7567 to schedule a free consultation. 

Workers compensation is a state-regulated system that provides medical and lost wage benefits designed to help you if you are injured on the job or develop a work-related illness. There are no pain and suffering benefits under the Florida Workers’ Compensation Statute.

If it is determined that your work-related injury is compensable under Florida workers’ compensation laws, you are entitled to receive medical and wage loss benefits. You could receive a portion of your lost earnings for the time you miss from work because of your work-related injury or illness. Also, workers’ compensation pays the medical bills associated with treatment for your injury.

Unfortunately pain and suffering is not available in worker’s compensations. Injured workers are limited to medical and lost wage benefits. However, if you were injured through the fault of a third party, damages, including pain and suffering could be available in a third party negligence case.

No matter how minor, it is imperative that you inform your supervisor right away from the accident. You may not feel hurt right after the accident, or you may be embarrassed, but if you do not notify your supervisor within 30 days of the accident, your claim could be denied.

After notifying your employer of the accident, go to the doctor chosen by your employer or your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier.

If you sustain an injury at work or suffer from an illness caused by conditions in the workplace, you will need to seek medical care. However, in most cases, Florida and Georgia workers’ compensation laws require you to visit a doctor approved by your employer if you plan to file a workers’ compensation claim.

Unless your injury requires emergency treatment, you should choose a doctor from a list of approved physicians or managed care organizations provided by your employer rather than seeking treatment from your personal doctor if you want workers’ compensation medical benefits. If you visit a doctor that is not approved by the employer or insurance company, these visits will likely not be covered and you may have to pay out of pocket. Injured workers need to be aware that their personal health insurance policy may refuse to pay for treatment for an on-the-job injury, so it is a good idea to follow appropriate workers’ comp procedures.

While you are expected to visit employer-approved physicians under most circumstances, if you need emergency medical care, you may receive temporary medical care from the closest available emergency treatment location. Inform the emergency room staff that you were injured at work and provide contact information for your employer if possible. Once the emergency is over, any further care you receive should come from a source approved by the employer or workers’ compensation insurer.

Workers’ compensation claims can be challenging, and mistakes can jeopardize your ability to receive full benefits. If you have doubts about how to handle your situation or your claim has been denied, it is a good idea to consult a qualified and knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney.  

At The Leach Firm, we offer sound legal guidance for the representation you deserve in Florida and Georgia. Contact us today at (844) 722-7567 to schedule a free consultation. 

What happens if you do not receive all your worker compensation benefits, or your claim is denied altogether? What options are available to you?

Appealing a Decision

Both Florida and Georgia allow employees injured at work to appeal a decision for a workers’ comp claim. This typically entails filing paperwork to begin the process and requires presentation of evidence to support your claim. Depending on the situation, you may have to attend mediation or a hearing to attempt to resolve the present issues. During this time, you may have to submit additional documentation or evidence of your injuries. Further medical evaluations may also be needed.

If you are still unhappy with the result of a first appeal, there may also be an opportunity to appeal to the courts.

Consult a Qualified Workers’ Comp Attorney

Appealing a decision can be involved and challenging. If you or a loved one has experienced an unsatisfactory resolution to a claim, contact one of our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers at the Leach Firm. We can assess your case and offer the best legal guidance for the representation you deserve in Florida and Georgia. Contact us today at (844) 722-7567 to schedule a free consultation.

In the state of George, most employers with three or more employees are required by law to carry workers' compensation insurance. 

If your employer does not have workers' compensation insurance, they could face repercussions, including fines and civil penalties. Your employer could also face criminal charges and even jail time.

If you are injured at work, you should always report your injury to your employer regardless of whether you believe your employer carries workers’ comp insurance. Some supervisors may not be aware of the coverage. You can check to see if your employer has workers’ compensation insurance by checking the Georgia State Board of Worker’s Compensation. However, you should be aware that your employer may have a different legal business name or be owned by a different company that provides workers’ comp insurance. A few employers are exempt from workers’ compensation requirements, and others are self-insured. 

If your employer is uninsured, you may still be able to receive compensation for your injuries. In many instances where an employer is not covered by workers’ compensation insurance, injured employees are legally able to seek recovery through a personal injury claim. The employer could be responsible for your medical bills and lost wages as if they were the insurance company. However, you may need to provide evidence to demonstrate that your employer’s negligence led to your injuries.

Consult a Qualified Workers’ Comp Attorney in Georgia

If you have been injured at work, but your employer does not have workers compensation insurance, filing a successful personal injury claim can be a challenging process. Contact one of our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers at the Leach Firm, P.A. We can assess your case and offer the right legal guidance for the representation you deserve in Georgia and Florida. Contact us today at (844) 722-7567 to schedule a free consultation.

In the state of Florida, most employers are legally required to provide workers compensation insurance for their employees. The specific types of employer coverage requirements are determined by the type of industry they are working in and the number of people they employ.

If your employer does not have legally required workers' compensation insurance, they could face repercussions, including fines and civil penalties. Your employer could also face criminal charges and even jail time.

When you are injured at work, you should always report your injury to your employer regardless of whether you believe your employer carries workers’ comp insurance. Some supervisors may not be aware of the coverage. You can check to see if your employer has workers’ compensation insurance by checking the Florida Chief Financial Officer’s database. However, you should be aware that your employer may have a different legal business name or be owned by a different company that provides workers’ comp insurance. A few employers are exempt from workers’ compensation requirements, and others are self-insured. 

If your employer is uninsured, you may still be able to get compensation for your injuries. When the workers’ compensation scheme does not apply, you may be legally able to file a personal injury claim against your employer. In the absence of workers' compensation insurance, your employer could be responsible for your medical bills and lost wages as if they were the insurance company. However, you should be prepared with solid evidence to support your claim for damages.

Consult an Experienced Workers’ Comp Attorney in Florida

If you have been injured at work, but your employer does not have workers compensation insurance, it is a good idea to work with an experienced attorney when seeking compensation through a personal injury claim. Consult one of our knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyers at the Leach Firm, P.A. We can assess your case and offer the right legal guidance for the representation you deserve in Florida and Georgia. Contact us today at (844) 722-7567 to schedule a free consultation.