Tampa Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

If you were hurt on the job in Tampa, Florida, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Under Florida law, injured workers can be reimbursed for medical bills, lost wages, and more. A Tampa workers’ compensation lawyer at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers can help you get the full benefits you deserve.

Since 1996, we’ve worked hard to protect the rights of injured workers in the Tampa Bay area. Our legal team has recovered more than $100 million in compensation for our clients–and counting. We also handle all types of personal injury cases, including birth injuries, boating accidents, medical malpractice, Tampa negligent security, Tampa premises liability, and more.

Would you like to have an experienced lawyer review your case? Call our law offices in Tampa, Florida at (813) 686-7588 to schedule a free consultation today.

How Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With a Tampa Workers’ Compensation Claim

How Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With a Tampa Workers’ Compensation Claim

You don’t have to prove that someone did something wrong to recover workers’ compensation benefits. However, it’s not always easy to get the fair amount you deserve. You’ll have to follow specific procedures and rules to file your claim–and there can be a lot of red tape in the process.

It can be difficult to fight the insurance company when you’re struggling with a painful injury or illness. Our Tampa personal injury lawyers at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight to recover every dollar you deserve. Our lawyers are board-certified civil trial specialists and have 75 years of combined experience.

Hiring our attorneys means you’ll have someone to:

  • Handle all the paperwork and administrative issues while you recover
  • Evaluate your claim to ensure you’re getting the full benefits available
  • Investigate and determine whether you have the right to file a lawsuit for additional benefits
  • Stand up for you if you’re being pressured into returning to work too soon

If your claim was denied, or if you’d simply like an experienced attorney to review your case, don’t hesitate to reach out to our law firm for legal advice today.

How Common Are Work Accidents in Tampa?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics collects data on work accidents in the United States. According to the most recent data, 2.814 million Americans sustained non-fatal work injuries and illnesses in 2019. 

BLS data shows that:

Over 5,300 additional workers lost their lives, and 306 of those fatal work accidents occurred in Florida.

Nationwide, more than 888,200 workers missed work because of a work illness or injury in 2019. During 2020, about 69,302 workers claimed workers’ compensation benefits in Florida alone. The average amount of benefits paid to an injured worker was $17,828.

What is My Tampa Workers’ Compensation Claim Worth?

The value of any work accident claim depends on the severity of your injuries and how quickly you’ll recover. 

The overall value of your workers’ compensation benefits depends on:

  • Whether you’re able to work in some capacity
  • How many days you’re off the job recovering
  • Whether your disability will impair your ability to work permanently
  • Your average weekly wages prior to the accident
  • The cost and duration of your medical treatment

Florida workers’ compensation law caps the amount of benefits you’ll be entitled to receive. For 2021, the maximum weekly cash benefit is $1,011.

You can claim temporary disability benefits for a total of 104 weeks. After that point, you may be eligible for impairment benefits or permanent disability benefits if your injuries were especially severe.

What Types of Compensation Does Workers’ Compensation Provide?

Workers’ comp is primarily concerned with providing economic damages to workers who are hurt in the workplace. Economic damages reimburse victims for out-of-pocket expenses while they recover.

Workers’ compensation covers injured workers’ reasonable and necessary medical expenses. It also provides wage replacement benefits to make up for your lost wages and income while you recover.

Medical Benefits

Under Florida law, workers’ compensation provides medical treatment if you’re injured in a work accident or develop a medical condition or illness that’s work-related. 

Medically necessary care includes:

  • Doctor’s visits
  • Hospitalization
  • Physician therapy
  • Medical tests
  • Prescription drugs
  • Prostheses
  • Reimbursement for travel to doctor’s visits and pharmacies

To recover compensation for medical bills, you’re required to visit an authorized doctor. An exception exists if you require emergency care, although you should make sure to let the emergency room staff know that you were injured on the job.

Temporary Cash Disability Benefits

If you can’t work for at least seven days, you’ll also receive wage replacement benefits. Your weekly check will equal 66 ⅔ percent of your average wages before the accident. If your doctor says you can’t work for at least 21 days, you’ll also be paid for the first seven days of disability.

Workers who can perform light duty but are unable to earn at least 80% of their average wages can recover partial temporary disability benefits to make up the difference.

Death Benefits

Surviving family members of fatal work accident victims are entitled to death benefits. 

These benefits compensate survivors for:

  • Up to $7,500 for funeral expenses
  • Compensation for dependents
  • Educational benefits for a surviving spouse

Florida law caps available death benefits at $150,000.

Can I Sue to Recover Additional Damages?

You can’t sue your employer or a co-worker for damages if you were hurt on the job. However, if a negligent third party caused your injuries or condition, you may also be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover non-economic damages. 

Those damages may include:

Would you like a qualified Tampa workers’ compensation attorney to review your case? Call Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case review today.

Can I Claim Workers’ Compensation If I’m Being Blamed for a Work Accident in Florida?

Workers’ compensation provides benefits regardless of fault. Florida’s modified comparative fault laws are only relevant if you’re eligible to file a third-party claim for additional damages. 

Under the shared responsibility laws, your compensation in a personal injury case can be reduced if you’re 50% or less responsible–and you’ll lose your right to damages entirely if your share of fault exceeds 50%. 

We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Work Accident Injuries

Workers are injured on the job every day in the state of Florida. Some of the most common work injuries include:

Some workplace injuries are catastrophic or fatal. If you lost a loved one on the job, our work accident lawyers can help you pursue fair compensation for wrongful death.

What Causes Most Workplace Accidents in Tampa, Florida?

Work accidents can happen for almost any reason. Often, they happen because someone was careless or reckless. 

At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of work accident claims in Tampa, including those involving:

  • Construction accidents
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Slip and falls
  • Scaffolding accidents
  • Roof and ladder falls
  • Welding accidents
  • Unsafe work equipment
  • Electrocution
  • Electric shock accidents
  • Accidents involving cranes, forklifts, and heavy machinery
  • Repetitive stress accidents
  • Exposure to toxic chemicals and hazardous materials
  • Fires and explosions
  • Occupational illnesses

Whether you were hurt on a construction site or at the office, our workers’ comp lawyers are here to help. Just give us a call today to schedule a free case evaluation. 

Am I Required to Prove Negligence to Claim Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Florida? 

No, to recover workers’ compensation benefits in Florida, you’ll only have to prove that:

  • You were an employee 
  • You were injured or developed an illness during the course of employment
  • You were performing work-related duties at the time

You can recover workers’ compensation benefits even if you weren’t injured at your primary work site. For example, if you were hurt in a Tampa car accident while driving between job sites, you may be eligible for benefits. A Tampa auto accident lawyer can also help recover compensation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim After a Workplace Accident in Florida?

You’re required to report your work injury or illness to your employer within 30 days. The 30-day clock starts to run on the date of your accident. If you sustained a work-related condition or disease over time, you should notify your employer within 30 days of your diagnosis.

Contact a Tampa Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Were you injured on the job in Tampa? You deserve an experienced lawyer who you can count on to help you get the benefits you need. Call a Tampa workers’ compensation lawyer at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.

Our personal injury law firm in Tampa also provides: