Our Attorneys Fight for Injured Workers in South Florida
If you have been injured in a work accident or diagnosed with a medical condition caused by your job or workplace, you have specific rights under South Florida’s workers’ compensation laws. These rights need to be upheld if you are to have the opportunity to receive the medical treatment and financial support to which you are entitled.
Since 1994, we at Morales & Cerino have protected the rights of injured workers in Florida. Our lawyers know exactly what protections are offered under state, federal, and case law and use this knowledge to help our clients recover the benefits they need.
Injured on the job? To find out how we can help you, call (305) 340-2630 or contact us online.
Know Your Injured Worker Rights in Florida
You have rights if you are injured on the job. Knowing these can help ensure you are not taken advantage of by an unethical employer or greedy insurance provider:
- You have the right to workers’ compensation benefits for any work-related injury or illness, regardless of its cause. The only exception may be if you were under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and this was the cause of your injuries.
- You have the right to report a work-related injury and to file for workers’ comp without fear of retaliation by your employer. Your employer cannot fire, demote, or otherwise punish you for reporting an injury or pursuing workers’ compensation benefits.
- You have the right to choose a different doctor if you are dissatisfied with the authorized treating physician assigned by your employer or their insurance carrier. You can only make this change one time, however.
- You have the right to appeal a denied workers’ compensation claim. If your claim is denied for any reason, you can appeal this decision to seek a favorable outcome.
Protecting Your Rights as an Injured Worker
Now that you know and understand your rights as an injured worker, the next step is learning how to protect these rights.
- Your first step will be to report your injury to your employer. This is essential and should be done as soon as possible.
- You will then need to file a claim with the workers’ compensation court. This will establish formal notice of your case against your employer.
- You will also need to obtain representation from an experienced attorney who can guide you through the process and ensure that your rights are protected.
As an injured worker, you have specific rights and responsibilities. Understanding these can make all the difference as you seek the benefits to which you are entitled. As Hialeah lawyers with over a century of collective experience, we at Morales & Cerino are well-qualified to protect your rights and help you uphold your obligations as an injured worker.
Continue reading to learn more about these important matters, or call us at (305) 340-2630 if you’re ready for a free consultation and review of your particular case.
Injured Worker Responsibilities in South Florida
As an injured worker, you also have responsibilities you must uphold, to the letter, to ensure your benefits are not threatened:
- You have the responsibility to report your work injury to your employer, within 30 days of its occurrence or from the time that you found out it was work-related. If you do not file your claim within 30 days, you could lose your right to workers’ compensation benefits. Do not wait to report and keep a record/copy of your report for future reference.
- You have the responsibility to keep all medical appointments with your authorized treating physician, and to follow his or her orders. Failure to do so may result in a termination of benefits. If you are not happy with your physician, you can request to change doctors.
- You have the responsibility to be truthful in regard to your claim, and to provide all necessary information related to filing your claim or appeal. If you do not tell the full and complete truth, you may find that your benefits will be denied. You may even face fraud charges. If you have questions about what to do and say, you can always ask our attorneys.
Arrange your free consultation by calling (305) 340-2630 today! We look forward to helping you through your work injury case. Se habla español.
