The Florida Workers’ Compensation system is supposed to be a “self executing” system in that when you get hurt, the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Carriers are supposed to automatically provide you with all the benefits that you’re entitled to under the law. Unfortunately, although this was the intent of the law when it was written, the notion that the law is “self executing” simply isn’t the case. If you or someone you love has been injured contact us at 1-866-943-5766.
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Attorney Paul Meissner of the Tampa Bay law firm of Carlson Meissner Hart and Hayslett PA explains that the workman compensation system is sometimes difficult for a injured worker to navigate through by him or herself.www.carlsonmeissner.com

Have you have suffered an injury at work, in a motor vehicle accident or in a public place? You may have the RIGHT to claim compensation for the losses you have suffered as a result of the injury. Personal Injury Claims put you in contact with an injury specailist for free legal advice. We will provide you with a FREE consultation and investigation, assisting you if you’ve had an accident or incident resulting in an injury. An injury is not just physical but it can also be psychological and there is compensation avaliable for psychological injuries. Call Personal Injury Claims on 1300 557 538 for free legal advice and you can also find out: •How to claim compensation •If you have a strong case for a claim •What your compensation entitlements are •If you need a lawyer to represent you

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Question:
I had an accident at my job where I badly hurt my ankle and foot. I did let a supervisor know about the accident but I told him I would be ok and that paperwork was not necessary. Well the next day my condition was worse. The pain was severe on my ankle and foot. So I told the supervisor that I need to fill out the paperwork. They sent me to their company doctor. Their doctor ordered me to stay home from work for two days and stay off my foot. This was written in black and white and I delivered the paperwork to my bosses. My pain was severe and I had to be laying down with my foot elevated to slow down the swelling. My supervisors said that I would have to immediately go on light duty right after my meeting with their doctor. Are they allowed to override the doctors orders? I declined because of the pain I was suffering. Can I lose my job for this? This was their doctor’s orders, not my doctor. I live in Florida. Thank you

Answer:
Your answer raises many issues in Florida’s workers compensation system.  

When you have a Florida work injury from being injured on the job, presuming your employer has workers compensation insurance coverage, the employer is supposed to put their insurance carrier on notice of your injury and the claim is handled by the WC insurance company.  In some very large companies, a portion of the claim may be administered from within the company.  However, 9 times out of 10, the claim is handled by the WC insurance company or a Third Party Administrator hired by the insurance company.

It is the insurance company, or their Administrator, that makes the decisions regarding your medical care.  This includes choosing the doctor from whom you receive your initial medical care.  They will usually meet, or at least speak to your doctor after your appointment so that they know what type care the doctor is prescribing, and whether you can return to work. Your employer does not choose your doctor, and cannot override your doctor’s work restrictions or limitations.

I am unable to determine from your email who it is that chose this initial doctor.  Usually in a Florida work injury or worker’s comp claim, the initial medical care comes from a “walk-in” clinic.  However, if the doctor told you to stay home, you are supposed to stay home.  The employer exposes themselves to a more serious workers compensation claim, as well as OSHA violations, by forcing an injured worker back to work against his doctors orders.

The first thing you should do is verify that the employer has notified their WC insurance company.  The employer is required to fill out a “First Report of Injury”, which is signed by you and the employer, then forwarded to the WC insurance company.  Once this happens, a WC adjustor takes over the management of your claim.  The WC adjustor will understand that a “no work” restriction means you stay home from work, even if the company wants you back right away.

If there is a WC insurance company involved, you should contact your adjustor to discuss the issue.  The adjustor can get the employer straightened out.

There are many variables that could affect my advice to you.  These include the name of your employer, whether you work for a government or municipality, the size of the employer and whether they have WC insurance coverage, the doctors report and specific limitations, and a few other factors.  Florida workers compensation system can be a frustrating and aggravating experience.  It’s important to make sure your claim is set up correctly when it first occurs, and that you are receiving all the benefits that you are entitled to receive.  This includes having an adjustor, or a workers compensation lawyer stop an overbearing employer from forcing an employer back to work against his doctors restrictions.

For more information about a Florida work injury, contact Florida work accident compensation lawyer Joseph M. Maus at 1-866-556-5529 or email him today.

Typically, an attorney who deals with many cases in the worker’s compensation realm will be the type of work injury attorney best equipped to help you with your claim. Before visiting, ask the work injury attorney about his or her experience in the field. Is it extensive? If it is, and if they have settled many successful cases, then you know you’ve got a work injury attorney who knows the all the nuances and traits of worker’s compensation system. Has the work injury attorney ever handled a case similar to yours? And if so, what was the outcome? If it was a successful case, then you can be confident that you’re working with a competent work injury attorney. A good work injury attorney will ask many questions so as to fully understand the situation. Beware the work injury attorney who appears disinterested or doesn’t seem to request a lot of information.

Worker’s compensation cases can become very complex. So it’s usually a good idea to seek out a work injury attorney as soon as possible. Getting a good work injury attorney at the beginning of your case will let the attorney give important input regarding your medical treatments. Also, the work injury attorney will be able to gather valuable evidence for your case. When you spend time dealing with insurance companies before consulting a personal work injury attorney, you may find that your claim is challenged. That means the insurance company may already be gathering evidence and building a case against you. And while it’s never too late to contact a work injury attorney, waiting until an insurance company challenges you means you and your work injury attorney have to make up some lost ground, so it’s always a good idea to contact a work injury attorney as soon as possible.

It’s also a good idea to keep copies of everything involving your injury for your work injury attorney. That means all hospital bills and the details of your payment benefits. Contact your personal injury attorney immediately with any new information or if something regarding your injury changes. And always follow your doctor’s advice. Engaging in activities not recommended by your doctor could damage your case.

The best first step to finding a good work injury lawyer is to simply open up the yellow pages or search the Internet for a work injury attorney in your area. But please, shop around. Contact several work injury attorneys so you can get a feel for their personalities and a sense of their professionalism. Feel free to call the work injury attorney’s office or send an email. A good work injury attorney will be open and willing to answer most basic questions over the phone. Also, a good work injury attorney won’t just have the proper credentials to handle your case, but he or she will make you feel comfortable at all steps of the worker’s compensation claim process.

An injury at work can be a life-changing event. But it doesn’t have to be a change for the worse. When you find a good work injury lawyer who has your best interests at heart, you will get the compensation you deserve and the peace of mind you require.