Workplace accidents can leave you with painful injuries and costly medical expenses. Fortunately, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance plan should cover your losses. However, receiving your rightful benefits could be a lengthy and time-consuming process. Sometimes, accepting workers’ compensation settlements in Miramar Beach is a wise option.
A seasoned workers’ comp attorney from Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon can review the details of your work accident to let you know if entering into a lump sum settlement agreement is the best choice for you and your family.
How Workers’ Comp Typically Works
All employers in Florida are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to protect their employees in the event of workplace injuries and illnesses. If someone experiences an injury while performing their job duties or because of their work, they should be entitled to collect workers’ compensation benefits.
Workers’ compensation benefits include coverage for reasonable medical expenses and a portion of the employee’s lost wages. If the worker’s injury would prevent them from going back to their job, the worker can also seek retraining benefits. For instance, in the case of a construction worker who suffers paralysis due to a fall, the former construction worker can apply for retraining benefits to use for vocational training to learn how to perform a different type of job that does not require them to use their legs or lower body.
A seasoned legal professional in Miramar Beach can go over the workers’ compensation process in more detail during an initial consultation.
How Workers’ Comp Settlements Work
Applying for workers’ compensation has some drawbacks. Workers’ compensation benefits are usually paid weekly. If an injured worker wants to use the money, they need to wait for the weekly payments. Although the system exists to help workers, the workers’ compensation claims process can be lengthy and not guaranteed. The paperwork needs to be completed and filed appropriately. If there is a mistake in any of the notice or filing requirements, an employer could potentially use that as an excuse to avoid payment. An employer could try to deny the claim entirely or try to minimize the payments. They could claim that the injury was not related to your work duties or dispute the severity of your injuries.
Sometimes, employers offer lump sum settlements to injured workers. These settlement agreements can settle an injured worker’s claim without requiring them to go through the claims process. A lump sum settlement gives an injured worker a one-time payment instead of having the insurance company send weekly payments under the workers’ compensation system. They can bring certainty of knowing that you will get some monetary relief for what you have gone through. However, the disadvantage of a settlement is that it is only a one-time payment. If you have an injury that could require extensive future medical care, a lump sum payment might not be the best choice.
A Miramar Beach lawyer can help you pursue a strong workers’ compensation settlement by skillfully negotiating with your employer’s insurer.
Contact a Miramar Beach Attorney About Obtaining a Workers’ Comp Settlement
When you are hurt on the job, you need as much help as you can get as quickly as possible. Our experienced legal professionals can help you determine the best avenue of relief. Contact Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon for help with obtaining a fair workers’ compensation settlement in Miramar Beach.
