Jacksonville Workers' Compensation Lawyers
Workers’ compensation benefits can help offset medical bills and lost wages if you’ve suffered a work-related injury or illness. Our Jacksonville workers’ compensation lawyers have been fighting for injured workers since 1979. We’ll fight just as hard to get you the total benefits you need.
Workers’ compensation benefits can help offset the financial impact if you can’t work after a work-related illness or injury in Jacksonville. However, the claims process can be challenging, especially if you’re dealing with a denial. At Farah & Farah, our skilled Florida workers’ comp attorneys have advocated for the rights of countless injured workers in all industries to ensure they get their full benefits.
Our law firm has the financial resources and experience needed to achieve top results in your claim for workers’ compensation benefits. We’ve won over $2 billion for our clients. Let us stand up and fight to get you top results, too.
Call our law office in Jacksonville, Florida, at (904) 549-6434 or contact us online to get started. Your first consultation is free.
Why Select Farah & Farah for Your Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Your employer’s insurance company will likely not be eager to cut you a check. Adjusters may use the insurer’s considerable resources to find ways to deny your claim or downplay the seriousness of your injuries. Working with an attorney is one of the best ways to protect your rights.
At Farah & Farah, our workers’ compensation lawyers know how to fight back against these insurance company tactics to ensure you get the most compensation possible for your injuries.
Here are a few more reasons why you’ll want Farah & Farah on your side:
- Our law firm has been a fierce advocate for injured workers and grieving families in Jacksonville since its founding in 1979.
- We embrace our home-grown roots through continued community service and participation in local events.
- Our attorneys have been voted “Best Lawyer in Jacksonville” by Folio Magazine, recognized as Top 100 Trial Attorneys by the National Lawyers Association, and honored with top awards in the legal industry.
- Our open-door policy and commitment to transparency guarantee our clients are treated with dignity and respect.
- Client reviews and testimonials speak volumes about the personalized care we provide.
Experience matters when your financial future is on the line. At Farah & Farah, we have a proven ability to help our clients navigate contested insurance claims and get the benefits they need.
Notable workers’ compensation case results include:
- $1.3 million in benefits for a client who was injured on the job and developed RSP.
- $115,000 recovery for a security guard who was injured when a gun without a safety was fired.
Call our personal injury lawyers in Jacksonville at (904) 549-6434 to learn more about the benefits of working with our top-rated legal team. Your first consultation is free.
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What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is an insurance system that helps to provide workers with monetary benefits after they suffer a work-related injury or illness.
In Florida, most private employers with at least four employees (full-time, part-time, or seasonal) are legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Construction companies must have workers’ compensation when they have at least one employee.
The system allows employees to quickly get the necessary benefits while protecting the employer from civil liability for workplace injuries.
How Do I Qualify for Workers’ Compensation in Jacksonville?
You may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits if you:
- Work for an employer with at least four employees (or a construction company with at least one employee),
- Are classified as an employee rather than an independent contractor, and
- Suffer a work-related injury or illness.
Under Florida law, an injury or illness is considered work-related when it is sustained while you are performing jobs or responsibilities related to your position of employment.
For example, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation if you’re injured in a truck accident while driving for your employer, but not if you’re in a fender bender in your personal vehicle on your way to work.
What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Available to Injured Workers in Jacksonville, Florida?
Workers’ compensation is a private insurance system, so the types of available compensation differ from those available in other types of injury cases.
In Florida, benefits fall into three primary categories: medical, wage replacement, and death benefits.
Medical Benefits
Medical benefits can be paid to cover all current and future costs of medical treatment, including:
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Medication
- Medical devices and equipment
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Chiropractic care
If treatment is deemed medically necessary by your provider, it should be covered by workers’ compensation.
Note that there are limits on where and from whom you can seek medical treatment if you want to receive workers’ compensation benefits. You must see a doctor who has been pre-approved by your employer’s insurance provider.
Wage Replacement Benefits
Wage replacement benefits can be awarded if your workplace injury or illness prevents you from working temporarily or permanently.
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD). TTD benefits are available if you cannot return to work in any capacity after you get hurt. Benefits equal two-thirds of the average weekly wage (AWW) you earned prior to your injury. In some cases, you can receive up to 80 percent of your AWW if your injury is severe.
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD). If you can work in a limited capacity, TPD benefits make up for the discrepancy between pre-and-post injury wages. Benefits equal 80 percent of 80 percent of your AWW prior to the injury. TPD benefits may not exceed two-thirds of your AWW.
- Impairment Income Benefits (iB). If you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) and are diagnosed with a permanent impairment, you may qualify for Impairment Income Benefits. IIB are calculated based on the level of your impairment. The higher your impairment rating, the longer you’ll be eligible for benefits.
- Permanent Total Disability (PTD). If you are no longer able to work in any capacity, you may qualify for Permanent Total Disability benefits. PTD benefits equal two-thirds of your AWW.
In Florida, the average weekly wage that can be used to calculate workers’ compensation benefits is capped. For 2023, the maximum average weekly wage is $1,197.
Death Benefits
Up to $150,000 in benefits can be paid to surviving family members when a worker is killed in a work-related or construction accident in Jacksonville or succumbs to an occupational illness or disease.
Benefits can help cover funeral costs, compensate for the worker’s lost wages and income, and provide educational support for surviving children.
When Do I Have to File for Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Florida?
Florida law states that any work-related injury or illness must be reported to an employer within 30 days. If you do not notify your employer within 30 days, you risk losing the opportunity to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
As long as you’ve notified your employer, you will generally have up to two years from the date of the accident to file a formal claim for workers’ compensation benefits.
What Happens if My Claim for Workers’ Compensation Is Denied?
If your claim for benefits is denied, you have the right to appeal.
Petition for Benefits
Once you receive a Notice of Denial, you can file a Petition for Benefits with the Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims (OJCC). Typically, the OJCC will order mediation. During mediation, a neutral third party will help you and the insurance company work toward a mutually-agreeable resolution.
If mediation is unsuccessful, a hearing will be scheduled before the OJCC. A judge will review the claim along with evidence and testimony and make a decision within 30 days.
First District Court of Appeals
If you lose your appeal before the OJCC, you can appeal the decision to the First District Court of Appeals. The Court will review your case without additional evidence or testimony.
The appeals process can be daunting, time-consuming, and expensive. Hiring an experienced Jacksonville workers’ compensation lawyer From Farah & Farah to handle your claim increases the odds that it’s approved from the start. If it’s denied, you’ll have a reputable trial attorney ready to help you fight through appeals for the result you deserve.
How Long Can You Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Florida?
The amount of time workers’ compensation benefits can be paid depends on the type of benefit and the amount of time it takes you to recover.
- Medical Benefits: You can receive benefits for all current and future medical expenses.
- Temporary Total Disability: Benefits can be paid for a maximum of 104 weeks.
- Temporary Partial Disability: Benefits can be paid for a maximum of 104 weeks.
- Impairment Income Benefits: The duration of payment depends on your impairment rating.
- Permanent Total Disability: Benefits can be paid until you turn 75.
Benefits will terminate or change if you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). Maximum Medical Improvement refers to a physician’s assessment that your recovery will no longer progress and you will no longer benefit from treatment.
Workers’ Compensation FAQs
The time after you suffer a workplace injury can be stressful, leaving you with questions, concerns, and confusion. Our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys in Jacksonville have addressed some of the questions we receive most often.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Attorney for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
At Farah & Farah, you don’t pay anything unless we recover benefits on your behalf. We believe that securing legal representation shouldn’t add to your financial burdens. That’s why when you work with our team, there’s no upfront or out-of-pocket cost. We only get paid when we help you recover workers’ compensation insurance benefits.
What Types of Injuries Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?
Workers’ compensation benefits can be awarded to workers who are diagnosed with:
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Amputation
- Paralysis
- Nerve damage
- Blindness
- Hearing loss
- Sprains and strains
- Repetitive motion injury
- Occupational illness or disease, including mesothelioma and other types of cancer
- Broken bones
- Burns
What Can I Do After an Accident at Work to Support My Claim for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
While you may have the right to file a claim for workers’ compensation, there are some steps you can take to increase the odds of a successful payout.
- Report your injury to your employer or supervisor immediately.
- Seek prompt medical care.
- Document your accident and injuries.
- Write down the names of witnesses and obtain their contact information.
- Retain all medical records.
- Gather wage statements and documents proving your recent income.
- Consult an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in Jacksonville.
Simple steps like these can make a huge difference down the line.
Call Our Jacksonville Workers’ Compensation Attorneys for Help With Your Claim Today
If you have been hurt on the job, call the experienced Jacksonville workers’ compensation lawyers from Farah & Farah at (904) 549-6434 for your free case review. Whether you’re submitting your initial claim or dealing with a denial, we’ll handle everything so you can focus on your recovery.
Why Select Farah & Farah for Your Workers’ Compensation Claim?
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
How Do I Qualify for Workers’ Compensation in Jacksonville?
What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Available to Injured Workers in Jacksonville, Florida?
When Do I Have to File for Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Florida?
What Happens if My Claim for Workers’ Compensation Is Denied?
How Long Can You Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Florida?
Call Our Jacksonville Workers’ Compensation Attorneys for Help With Your Claim Today
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