Jacksonville Workplace Accident Lawyer

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Were you injured on the job in Jacksonville, FL? You may be entitled to recover damages through the Florida workers’ compensation insurance system or by filing a lawsuit against a negligent third party. An experienced Jacksonville workplace accident lawyer at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help you explore all legal options for recovering the full compensation you deserve.

Our top-rated lawyers have over 80 years of experience protecting the rights of injured workers. We’ve already recovered tens of millions of dollars for accident victims across Northeast Florida.

Workplace injuries can disrupt your life in many different ways. Contact our Jacksonville, Florida law offices at (904) 396-1100 to schedule a free consultation if you have questions about your right to compensation.

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How Can Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers Help After a Workplace Accident in Jacksonville?

How Can Baggett Law Help After a Workplace Accident in Jacksonville?

It’s always possible that you might get hurt on the job. When you’re hurt, you’ll probably need money to stay afloat while you recover. You also deserve to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Unfortunately, getting money in your pocket can be a challenge. You’re entitled to workers’ comp–but how do you know whether you’re getting the full amount you deserve? An experienced personal injury attorney in Jacksonville, FL can make a huge difference.

At Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve been handling cases like yours for decades. We’ve seen it all–and we know how to help you maximize your compensation.

You can count on our attorneys to:

Investigate your accident
Explore all options for recovering compensation
Assess your case value
Help with any challenges to your workers’ comp claim
Handle all paperwork and legal issues
Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf

Our lawyers are among the 5% of all lawyers in Florida to be rated by Super Lawyers. We also have an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Most importantly, we’ve helped countless clients secure the financial compensation they need.

Ready to learn more? Call our Jacksonville personal injury attorneys for a free initial consultation today.

How Common Are Workplace Accidents in Jacksonville, FL?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about 2.7 million non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported across the United States in 2020. 4,764 people were killed in fatal workplace accidents that year.

In Florida alone, 275 fatal workplace accidents were reported to the BLS. While it’s true that many work-related injuries in Florida happen in dangerous factories or on construction sites, a work accident can have many different causes, including:

Auto accidents and other motor vehicle accidents
Slip and fall accidents
Fishing accidents
Welding accidents
Accidents caused by falling objects
Accidents involving cranes, forklifts and heavy machinery
Scaffolding accidents
Falls from heights
Manufacturing accidents
Construction site accidents
Fires and explosions
Electrocution accidents
And more

61,982 workers’ compensation claims were filed across the state of Florida alone in 2021. Florida workers’ compensation insurance companies paid over $848 million in benefits to those workers. In Duval County, workers’ compensation paid out nearly $38 million in benefits during 2021.

Our workers’ compensation attorneys in Jacksonville will help you pursue every dollar you deserve if you were injured on the job. Just call our law firm to schedule a free case evaluation to get started.

What is My Jacksonville Workplace Accident Case Worth?

The value of your work accident claim depends on the unique circumstances of your case. One of the most important factors is whether you’re limited to workers’ compensation.

The value of your workers’ comp benefits will depend on:

Your average weekly earnings prior to the accident
The length of your recovery
Whether you’re totally disabled or able to work in a limited capacity
The cost of your medical treatment

Your weekly workers’ compensation check will cover about ⅔ of your average weekly wages prior to the disability. However, in 2022, the maximum that you can receive per week is $1,099–even if your earnings were higher before the accident. You may be entitled to social security benefits also.

How Much is My Third-Party Claim Worth?

Injured workers who are entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit tend to receive higher compensation awards. However, while most injured workers in Florida are entitled to file a workers’ compensation claim, you can’t sue your employer for damages.

You can only file a lawsuit for additional damages if someone other than your employer caused your accident. These types of lawsuits are called third-party claims.

You may have a valid third-party claim against:

An at-fault driver if you were hurt in a car accident
Manufacturers of defective work tools or equipment
Vendors or suppliers
Contractors or subcontractors
Maintenance companies
Property owners

By filing a personal injury lawsuit, you can recover damages for your non-economic losses in addition to your medical bills and lost wages.

What Types of Damages Are Available to Workplace Accident Victims?

Workers’ compensation benefits are designed to cover your financial losses. Workers’ compensation in Florida includes benefits for:

All reasonable and necessary medical expenses
Disability, including temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, and permanent disability benefits
Impairment benefits if you lose your ability to use a body part
Death benefits

By filing a personal injury lawsuit, you can seek compensation for all economic damages and non-economic damages, including:

Past and future medical expenses that aren’t covered by workers’ comp
100% of your lost wages, income and employment benefits
Reduced future earning potential
Rehabilitation and specialized care
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Emotional suffering
Diminished quality of life
Physical disfigurement or scarring
Anxiety
Depression
PTSD
Loss of consortium

Florida personal injury laws are designed to make victims “whole” again. They’re designed to compensate for your financial, physical, and emotional losses.

Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Workplace Accident in Florida?

Shared fault isn’t an issue when you file a claim for workers’ comp benefits. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. Even if you caused the accident, you still have the right to claim benefits.

Personal injury laws are more complex. Under Florida’s modified comparative fault laws, even injured parties can be liable for damages if they were partly to blame. For example, if you were found to be 20% liable, your personal injury settlement or verdict will be reduced by 20%. You also cannot recover any compensation if you were found to be 51% or more responsible under Florida law.

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

Thousands of workers are hurt on the job every year. Any type of work injury can make it difficult to earn a living. You can count on our Jacksonville work accident attorneys to fight for fair compensation for all of your injuries, including:

Broken bones
Eye injuries
Nerve damage
Facial injuries
Soft tissue damage
Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Head and neck injuries
Concussions
Musculoskeletal disorders
Back injuries
Organ damage
Burns
Lung damage
Amputations
Paralysis
Catastrophic injuries
Wrongful death of a loved one

You deserve to be compensated if you were hurt on the job. Call for a free case review today to learn more about how we can help.

What Causes Most Workplace Accidents in Jacksonville, Florida?

Workplace accidents can happen under many different circumstances. Some of the most common causes of work-related accidents are:

Failure to follow state and OSHA safety regulations
Workplace violence and negligent security
Exposure to toxic substances
Dangerous or defective work equipment
Repetitive motions
Failure to properly hire, train, and supervise employees
Lack of fall protection
Lack of safety equipment
Negligent drivers
Failure to maintain the workplace in safe condition

Our Jacksonville workers’ compensation lawyers can help you identify the cause of your accident and hold all responsible parties liable.

How Do I Prove Negligence After a Workplace Accident in Florida?

You don’t have to prove negligence to receive workers’ compensation benefits in Florida. However, you could face challenges to your claim.

Your employer or the workers’ compensation board might argue that:

Your accident didn’t happen on the job
You didn’t complete your paperwork properly
Your medical treatment wasn’t necessary
Your doctor wasn’t approved by the workers’ comp board
Your injuries were pre-existing

To file a lawsuit, you’ll have to prove that a third party was negligent. Any negligence claim requires establishing:

A legal duty of care
A breach of duty
The breach caused your accident
You sustained damages

At Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our lawyers will build the strongest claim possible–whether your case involves workers’ compensation or a personal injury claim. Just give us a quick call for legal advice.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Workplace Accident in Florida?

You should report your injury to your employer as quickly as possible after an accident. Technically, you have 30 days to notify your employer.

If you’re eligible to file a third-party claim, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases was recently modified. You’ll have two years to file your claim if your accident happened on or after March 24th, 2023, and four years if it happened before that date.

Contact a Jacksonville Workplace Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Did you sustain injuries in a work accident in Jacksonville? You may have multiple options for recovering compensation. An experienced Jacksonville workplace accident lawyer at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help you evaluate your choices so that you maximize your compensation.

Our personal injury law firm in Jacksonville, FL also provides: