If you experienced a serious injury or developed a debilitating illness because of your job, you might need medical care to get better. As you focus on your physical well-being, you may feel overwhelmed and not know where to turn for the financial assistance you need to get through this tough time.
Our team of experienced attorneys at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon know how to apply for workers’ compensation in Miramar Beach. They can skillfully guide you through the legal steps required to obtain your rightful workers’ compensation benefits. Although the claims process can seem confusing, our hardworking lawyers are prepared to stand by your side.
Seek Medical Attention
If you experience a serious injury that requires immediate medical attention—such as a broken bone that needs to be set or a laceration that needs to be stitched—you should immediately seek emergency medical attention.
If your injury is not an emergency, you should wait to see a doctor until after you have reported your injury to your employer. Under the company’s workers’ compensation insurance plan, your employer might require you to seek care from a doctor who is authorized under the company’s insurance plan.
While you are at your doctor’s appointment, describe all your medical symptoms so you can pursue recovery for all your losses. Explain how the injury occurred or the illness developed. Ensure that the doctor writes a thorough report after your visit. This medical record can serve as evidence linking the cause of the injury to your workplace duties. Our skilled legal professionals can use your medical record to help prove the magnitude of your injury when negotiating with your employer’s insurer for fair workers’ compensation benefits in Miramar Beach.
Report Your Injury
Workers need to report their injuries to their employers as soon as possible after a work-related accident or as soon as they believe they have developed a medical condition because of their workplace duties. Florida law requires employees to report their injuries to their employers within 30 days.
Your employer should promptly report your injury to their insurance provider. Your employer should also give you additional paperwork to complete, such as the First Report of Injury or Illness Form, which is required by the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation.
If your employer refuses to file your claim because they do not believe your injury is serious or denies that it is related to your workplace duties, a dedicated workers’ comp attorney in Miramar Beach can help you follow up with the insurer and also help you fight for what you deserve.
Gather Information
Injured workers in Miramar Beach should try to gather as much information about their accident or illness as possible. Before you forget seemingly minor details, you should write down everything you remember—paying particular attention to the date, time, and location of the accident. If you developed a medical condition, such as a respiratory condition, due to inhaling toxic gases while at work, you should write and describe your history of exposure to the toxic substance.
You should also try to gather the contact information of everyone who witnessed the accident or knew about the workplace conditions that led to your injury or medical condition. Gathering names and phone numbers for witnesses is particularly critical if your injury occurred away from your office, such as if you experienced harm while on an employer-sponsored business trip.
Speak to a Miramar Beach Lawyer About Applying for Workers’ Compensation
If you were hurt on the job, you should be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. However, obtaining those benefits requires compliance with the necessary legal requirements.
Speak to a qualified attorney at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon who knows how to apply for workers’ compensation in Miramar Beach.
