Were you hurt in a workplace accident in Jacksonville, Florida? You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, but you may have a lot of questions. After all, the process can be complicated and confusing.
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers have 69 years of combined legal experience handling complex cases. They bring valuable experience as former insurance defense attorneys. They know what obstacles to expect, and they know how to overcome them so that you walk away with the money you deserve.
Below are answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about workers’ compensation. For immediate help and a free and completely confidential case evaluation, call our Jacksonville, FL law office today at (904) 396-1100 or contact us online.
How Can Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers Help With a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Jacksonville?
Many people wonder why they need an attorney when they are guaranteed benefits from their employer’s workers’ comp insurance. The sad truth is that your employer’s insurance company is not working in your best interest. Like every other insurance company, they’re trying to protect their bottom line. They’d love to find a way to deny or reduce your claim. A good lawyer can put you on equal footing and make sure you get what you deserve.
When you hire our award-winning Jacksonville personal injury lawyers, we will:
- Analyze the circumstances of your workplace injury in Jacksonville, Florida
- Make sure you meet all deadlines and comply with all requirements to obtain your workers’ compensation benefits
- Monitor your medical treatment to ensure that you are receiving proper care
- Appeal denials of your workers’ comp claim
- Determine whether you can file a third-party lawsuit in connection with your injury
- Handle all communications with your employer and insurance companies
- Represent you in court, if necessary
In short, our Jacksonville workers’ compensation attorneys handle everything from start to finish. We keep you completely informed of the status of your case, let you know when decisions need to be made, and advise you of the best course of action throughout the case.
But we take an enormous amount of stress off of you so that you can use this time to rest and recover. Making the process easy on our clients is one of the reasons we won the Platinum Client Champion Award from Martindale-Hubbell (the highest award for client service).
How Much Money Can I Get in a Workers’ Comp Claim?
Workers’ compensation will cover reasonable and necessary medical treatment. There can be pushback from the insurance company on what’s considered reasonable and necessary. We can help by fighting any denials for medical expenses.
In addition, you’ll generally be entitled to two-thirds of your wages while you’re unable to work (based on your average weekly wage before your accident). The exact amount and duration of benefits depends on whether you have a partial or full disability and whether your disability is temporary or permanent.
Can I Sue My Employer for Workplace Injuries?
In most cases, no. Workers’ compensation insurance provides automatic benefits after an accident. In exchange, you agree not to sue your employer for injuries sustained on the job. If your employer or a co-worker intentionally harmed you, then you may be able to sue. But, in general, if you’re injured in a workplace accident, you can’t sue your employer for negligence.
If your employer does not have workers’ comp insurance (either because they aren’t required to carry it or they’re not in compliance), you may be able to file a lawsuit if your employer’s negligence caused your injury. Workplace accidents often present complex legal questions. Always consult with an experienced attorney to ensure access to all of your options for compensation.
Is Workers’ Compensation My Only Source of Money After a Workplace Accident?
It depends. If your employer or co-workers were responsible for your accident, then workers’ comp is typically your exclusive remedy. However, many workplace accidents involve multiple parties, especially construction accidents that often have many different companies working onsite.
If a third party was responsible for your accident, you may be able to file a lawsuit against them to recover compensation beyond your workers’ comp benefits. That means you may be able to recover the full amount of your lost wages and compensation for pain and suffering.
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I’m Responsible for Getting Hurt at Work?
The answer is most likely yes. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. Even if your negligence caused you to get injured on the job, you are still eligible for workers’ compensation. There are some exceptions, such as if you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol or if you committed intentional acts that caused your injuries. Exclusions for workers’ comp benefits based on your fault for an accident are rare, but they do exist. If you think you could be responsible for your accident, that’s all the more reason to hire an experienced Jacksonville workplace accident attorney to help you with your claim.
Contact Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers For Help After a Workplace Accident
Don’t go it alone after your workplace accident. There’s too much at stake. Contact Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers for help getting the benefits you deserve. Our Jacksonville workers’ compensation lawyers offer free consultations, so call today.
