Workplace Accident FAQs

Workplace accidents involve any on the job injury. They can involve any incidents where in employee is injured while performing duties that are common as part of their job. Workplace accidents can happen on a job site, in a workplace, or in the field. They can involve:

• Assault or violence in the workplace
• Crushing injuries involving heavy machinery
• Trip and falls, slip and falls, or falls from heights
• Exposure to toxins or corrosive chemicals
• Exposure to dangerous materials that cause cancer or serious illness later on
• Repetitive strain injury
• Construction site accidents
• Forklift accidents

Every workplace has some risk. While construction sites, factories, manufacturing facilities, and other industries have higher rates of injury, even offices and libraries can pose risks.

Workplace accidents are called accidents, though in fact they’re often preventable. They can be caused by any number of factors, including:

• Poor security
• Inadequate training
• Lack of supervision
• Poor workplace policies
• Spills in the workplace
• Unsafe buildings, including buildings with inadequate maintenance
• Supervisors and property owners ignoring safety concerns
• Willful violation of safety standards
• Defective or unsafe machinery or equipment
• Lack of access to personal protective equipment and safely equipment
• Inadequate lighting

Common injuries in the workplace can include:

• Head injuries
• Burns
• Fatalities
• Internal injuries
• Amputations and crushing injuries
• Exposure injuries
• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Fractures
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Cancer or other illnesses
• Scarring and disfigurement

If you've been injured in the workplace, you need to report the incident to your boss, supervisor, or manager. You will also want to remember who saw the incident. If you can, take photos of your injuries, the accident site, and the area around the site.

In Florida, employers are required by law to pay for workers’ compensation on behalf of all qualifying workers. Unless you're a contractor or freelancer, chances are you're covered by workers’ compensation insurance, or should be.

This means that if you are injured in a workplace accident, you should get work comp benefits, which can include payment for all reasonable medical costs related to your injury and replacement of part of your income. If you have lost a loved one in a workplace accident, workers’ comp benefits should pay death benefits, which can help you pay for funeral expenses and other costs.

If you are covered by workers’ compensation, you need to go to an approved medical provider after your injury. If you do not, your medical costs may not be covered. The only exception to this is if you need emergency care. You can call 911 and get immediate care.

The idea behind workers’ compensation is that if you are injured in the workplace you don't have to sue your employer to get compensation to help you manage costs while you recover from your injury. The idea is that it should be easy to get benefits.

However, there are still challenges that may require you to speak to an attorney. Some workers find that their workers’ compensation claim is denied, even though they have an eligible injury. In other cases, an employer doesn't have workers compensation coverage, as required by law. A third reason you may want to contact a personal injury attorney is because there may be a claim against a third party, such as the manufacturer of a piece of equipment that caused your injury.

In addition, some workers run into questions and problems when trying to get workers’ compensation benefits. The offer they get from the insurer may not cover their bills and costs, for example. Or the process may involve many delays.

The best time to call an attorney is as soon as possible after your injury. Once you sign paperwork for your workers’ comp claim, you may be signing away your rights to sue. You may also lose out on the chance to pursue additional compensation for your injuries.

Work injuries are serious. They can affect your career, your earning potential, and your everyday life. They can lead to months or years of pain. You deserve to have someone by your side to help you navigate the legal side of a serious injury like this.

It costs you nothing to speak to an attorney at Flaxman Law Group, so you can find out how much your claim maybe worth. Our attorneys may be able to help you negotiate with the workers’ compensation insurance provider, help you understand whether you have a third-party claim, and make sure you don't leave money on the table. Our goal is simple: it’s to help make sure that you get as much compensation as possible so you worry less about money when you are healing from your injuries.

Workplace injury claims are different than other personal injury claims because of workers’ compensation laws. Nevertheless, you may still have a claim against a third party. You may also still be able to work with an attorney to negotiate with an insurer. To find out what is possible in your case, you may wish to speak to a Florida workplace accident attorney at Flaxman Law Group. Just call us at 866-352-9626 or contact us online to set up a free, confidental consultation.