Port St. Lucie Workers Compensation Lawyer

40+ years of fighting for injured workers in Port St. Lucie

If you’re injured on the job and not being treated fairly by your employer or the insurance company, trust our Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation lawyers to stand up for you.

Take the first step by scheduling a free case evaluation with an experienced Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation attorney. We are available 24/7 for any questions you may have.

Contact us today by calling (772) 344-7770 or clicking the button below to fill out our confidential online contact form.

FREE CASE CONSULTATION

Get the benefits you deserve with a top Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation attorney

If you are injured while working in Port St. Lucie, contact the Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation attorneys at Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd immediately. We have over 40 years of experience standing up for the rights of injured workers.

We have a reputation for going up against insurance companies to ensure our clients receive full and fair compensation for their injuries. We are experts in work comp proceedings, and we know exactly what to do to ensure your claim is approved, even if it has been previously denied.

Why choose our Port St. Lucie Workers’ Compensation Law Firm?

• We offer free consultations – You can meet with our Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation attorneys free of charge. They will review your case and inform you of your legal options.
• We can help you file a work comp claim – We are a full-service Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation law firm, meaning we will help you through all phases of filing a work comp claim. We will help you prepare all the necessary documentation and submit your claim.
• We will negotiate with the insurance company – Insurance companies will always try to protect their bottom line. They will try to minimize how much they pay out, which unfortunately means you could get a low-ball offer. We don’t accept that. We will strongly negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you receive full and fair compensation that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and any compensation for future medical bills or permanent injuries.
• We will appeal claim denials – If you submit a work comp claim and it is denied, our Port St. Lucie work compensation lawyers will help you appeal the decision. We will gather additional documentation, represent you in hearings, and, if necessary, take your case to trial.
• We will protect you from employer retaliation – If your employer is retaliating against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim, don’t worry. Our Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation law firm will protect your rights and take legal action if necessary.

Schedule a free consultation with a Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation attorney for free. Call (772) 344-7770 now to schedule a meeting with our attorneys and learn more about your legal options.

Common workplace injuries in Port St. Lucie

Unfortunately, workplace injuries are a common occurrence in Florida. Reports from agencies show that, on average, more than 50,000 workplace injuries happen in Florida each year.

Based on a recent survey conducted by the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), the five most dangerous jobs in Florida are:

• Construction
• Freight hauling (truck drivers)
• Agriculture
• Maintenance and groundskeepers
• Factory workers

Despite safety regulations and measures, the inherent risks in these jobs contribute to a steady incidence of workplace injuries, underscoring the importance of effective workers’ compensation systems to support affected employees. Regardless of whether you work in one of these industries, if you are injured on the job in Port St. Lucie, you have legal rights under Florida’s workers’ compensation laws.

Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance intended to provide financial and medical benefits to employees who are injured or become ill as a direct result of their job.

On this page, you will find answers to the following questions:

• How can our Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation law firm help you?
• What is covered under Florida’s workers’ compensation laws?
• How to file a workers’ compensation claim in Port St. Lucie?
• What to do if your claim is denied?

What are Florida’s workers’ compensation laws?

Florida’s workers’ compensation laws are designed to provide financial and medical benefits to employees who are injured or become ill due to their jobs. These laws ensure that workers receive necessary support without having to prove fault or negligence on the part of the employer.

Under Florida’s workers’ compensation laws, employees are protected from retaliation or discrimination by their employer for filing a workers’ compensation claim. This means that an employer cannot legally fire, demote, or otherwise punish an employee for seeking the benefits they are entitled to under the law.

Employees also have the right to appeal any denial of their workers’ compensation claim, ensuring they have a fair opportunity to receive the benefits they deserve.

The workers’ compensation system is designed to be a no-fault system, meaning that employees do not need to prove that their employer was negligent to receive benefits. This simplifies the process and ensures that injured workers can focus on recovery rather than legal battles.

Overall, these legal rights ensure that employees are supported and protected in the aftermath of a workplace injury, reinforcing the importance of a fair and effective workers’ compensation system.

Here are the key aspects of Florida’s workers’ compensation insurance laws:

Coverage and eligibility

1. Employer requirements: Most Florida employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance. Specifically:

• Non-construction businesses with four or more employees (including business owners who are corporate officers or LLC members).
• Construction businesses with one or more employees.
• Agricultural businesses with six or more regular employees and/or 12 or more seasonal workers who work more than 30 days.

1. Employee eligibility: Most employees are covered, including full-time, part-time, and seasonal workers. Independent contractors are generally not covered, though misclassification issues can arise.

Benefits

1. Medical benefits: Covers all necessary and reasonable medical care related to the injury, including doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
2. Wage Replacement Benefits:

• Temporary Total Disability (TTD): Paid if the worker is completely unable to work for a temporary period. Benefits are typically two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage, subject to state limits.
• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): Paid if the worker can return to work but at a reduced capacity or wage. Benefits cover a portion of the difference between pre-and post-injury wages.
• Permanent Impairment Benefits (PIB): Paid if the worker has a permanent injury but can still work in some capacity. The amount is based on the severity of the impairment.
• Permanent Total Disability (PTD): Paid if the worker is permanently unable to return to any form of gainful employment. Benefits are usually paid for life.

1. Death benefits: Provides financial support to dependents if a worker dies as a result of a work-related injury or illness. This includes funeral expenses up to $7,500 and compensation to dependents.

Injuries and illnesses that are covered

As for injuries that might be eligible for workers’ comp in Port St. Lucie, they can be nearly anything that is directly related to “the course and the scope of employment.” This language includes injuries that happen in a single event, such as a fall at work, or injuries that result from repetitive work tasks, such as a hernia.

Illnesses may also be eligible for a claim if they were directly caused by work duties or exposures to chemicals and other substances known to cause health conditions. A welder who contracts pneumonia after breathing metal vapors, for instance, could potentially file for his treatment costs and partially lost earnings through workers’ comp.

In addition, an injury or accident does not need to happen on the job site if it is directly related to work. For example, if you are using a vehicle to run an errand for your boss and get hurt in a car accident, you may potentially be able to file under workers’ compensation.

This rule can even apply when you are out of state.

What injuries may not be eligible for workers’ comp claims?

• Injuries that occur while the employee is under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
• Injuries that occur as part of a scheme to “knowingly or intentionally” defraud workers’ comp;
• Intentional or deliberate injuries;
• Injuries that can have 50% or more of their cause attributed to a pre-existing injury or condition;
• “Mental or nervous injuries”
• Injuries covered by other forms of duty-related compensation, such as the Jones Act or the Federal Employer’s Liability Act;
• Some claims may be reduced by 25% if the employee is found to have elected to not use personal protective equipment they have been provided and trained to use.

How do you file a workers’ compensation claim in Port St. Lucie?

Filing a workers’ compensation claim in Port St. Lucie involves several steps to ensure you receive the benefits you’re entitled to. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Report the injury

• Immediately, but no later than 30 days from the date of the injury or the date you became aware of the injury. Inform your supervisor or employer about the injury as soon as possible. Provide details about how, when, and where the injury occurred.

Step 2: Seek medical treatment

• Your employer or their workers’ compensation insurance carrier will direct you to an authorized medical provider. Follow their instructions and attend all medical appointments.

Step 3: Document everything

• Document all aspects of the incident and your injury. This includes medical reports, expenses, and communications with your employer and insurance representatives.

Step 4: Employer’s responsibility

• Your employer must report the injury to their workers’ compensation insurance carrier within seven days of being notified of your injury. They should provide you with information about the insurer and your rights under workers’ compensation laws.

Step 5: Insurance company review

• The insurance company will contact you to gather more details about your injury. They have three days from the date they receive the employer’s report to provide you with a brochure outlining your rights and responsibilities.

Step 6: Receive benefits

• If your claim is accepted, you will begin receiving medical benefits and wage replacement as necessary. Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits are typically two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to state limits.

Step 7: Address denials or disputes

• If your claim is denied or if there are disputes regarding benefits, you can file a Petition for Benefits with the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation. The Division of Workers’ Compensation may schedule a mediation session to resolve disputes. If mediation fails, a hearing before a Judge of Compensation Claims will be scheduled. Present your case and any supporting evidence at the hearing.
• If your claim is complicated or denied, or if you face retaliation, consulting a Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation attorney can be highly beneficial. They can help navigate the appeals process and ensure you receive fair treatment and benefits.

What to do if your Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation claim is denied

A surprisingly large portion of workers’ comp claims are denied or reduced by insurance adjusters. Reasons for denial include disputing that the injury was work-related or that the injury was not as severe as reported.

Workers have a higher chance of having their claims scrutinized or denied if they wait too long to file a claim. Generally, all claims should be filed within 30 days of the injury event or the first moment the employee noticed the injury.

The injury should also be reported to a supervisor and documented. Most workers’ comp policies then require individuals to seek medical care through a selection of preferred providers.

At Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd, our Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation lawyers have successfully appealed hundreds of denied workers’ compensation claims. If this happens to you, the best thing you can do is contact our Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation law firm right away.

We will review your claim free of charge and provide you with information on what you should do next. If you hire us as your Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation attorney, we will gather all the necessary evidence needed to ensure your claim is approved.

Call (772) 344-7770 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with Port St. Lucie workers’ compensation lawyer.

Our Port St. Lucie Workers’ Compensation law firm is ready to fight for your rights

If your workers’ comp claim is being denied or disputed, remember that you still have rights. An experienced Port St. Lucie workers’ comp lawyer can help you assert those rights using the strongest facts and evidence available.

Learn more about how you can give your claim a better chance to succeed during an absolutely

free case evaluation. You can start the process of working with a workers’ compensation lawyer in Port St. Lucie who believes in your right to get the money you need to recover.

Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation now when you call (772) 344-7770 or contact us online.