Being injured at work is never fun, but accidents are a part of life. Unfortunately, it often means taking recovery time off work and paying medical expenses. Fortunately, your employer’s workers’ compensation policy will cover these costs. However, you will need to make a claim quickly and have all of your facts straight; the state of Florida has strict guidelines for claim timelines. To help you stay on track after a workplace injury, we’ve put together this short guide below.

Injury Reporting

Accidents can be traumatic, and the last thing on your mind will be reporting incidents to your employer. You have 30 days from the first signs of workplace injury symptoms to file a report, but we recommend doing this straight away. If you skip this step, you may not be able to file for compensation.

To abide by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, your employer must maintain accurate records for all on-site accidents. Regardless of what your employer says, stand your ground when it comes to filling out the form because it will act as evidence for your claim. After filling out the form, ensure you make a copy and obtain evidence of receipt.

Medical Attention

Whether you have visible injuries or not, seek medical attention immediately after. Not only does this ensure you receive the correct level of care, but the medical records will also act as evidence to settle any disputes with insurance companies or your employer.

Gather Evidence

Your employer will likely have a solid legal team, and they’ll attempt to reach a settlement out of court or have the claim thrown out completely. They will use any measures to reach a cheaper solution, which means you need to be prepared. Therefore, collect evidence of the accident, including:

• Maintenance records.
• Witness statements.
• Medical records.

Seek Legal Counsel

Filing a compensation claim isn’t easy, and there will be plenty of obstacles to navigate. To help steer you through the waters if you are based in Orlando, for example, you need an experienced workers’ compensation attorney Orlando, such as Charles H. Leo, P.A.

To ensure you get all of the benefits you’re entitled to by Florida Law, your attorney will carry out an investigation. Hand over any evidence already collected, and they will build a case for the correct amount of compensation. If a reasonable settlement is provided, your attorney will tell you.

File Your Claim

Your claim needs to be submitted to the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation, but your attorney will take care of that for you. According to Florida state regulations, all compensation claims must be handed over within two years of the injury.

Take Away

Injuries at work can leave your life in tatters, but that doesn’t mean you have to feel the financial burden. In the state of Florida, you’re entitled to a number of benefits as compensation, but you need to be proactive when it comes to making the claim.