According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 3 million individuals in the United States suffered work-related injuries and illnesses in 2014, as reported by private employers. Individuals who have sustained an injury or illness in the workplace often have the right to receive benefits that cover their medical expenses and lost wages through the Florida State Workers’ Compensation Program. Unfortunately, it is not always that easy and in many situations injured workers meet challenges and complications when trying to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
How long do I have to report my injury?
The simple answer is thirty (30) days, but you should report you injury as soon as possible in order to prevent any grounds for denial of coverage. You employer then has no more than seven (7) days to report the injury to their insurance company. After that, you should receive an information brochure within three (3) days.
What happens if I worked for a subcontractor who did not carry workers’ compensation insurance?
All employers in Florida with four (4) or more employees are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance in the event a worker gets injured or ill. Moreover, because construction is one of the most dangerous industries when it comes to injuries, all construction employers with at least one (1) worker must provide workers’ compensation coverage, including subcontractors. If you work for a subcontractor, you should be able to trust that you are covered by a workers’ compensation policy. In fact, subcontractors are required to prove to the entity that contracted them that they are covered. You may ask for proof yourself. Unfortunately, many subcontractors unlawfully fail to obtain workers’ compensation coverage, and even lie to both workers and the general contractor about it.
For a list of what is considered a construction job, see this webpage.
Unfortunately, you may not realize that your employer does not have proper coverage until after you have been injured on the job. Fortunately, there are still ways for you to obtain benefits and compensation. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you “go up the ladder” to receive benefits from the general contractor’s workers’ compensation insurer. If this unlawful situation applies to you, contact our office to discuss your case as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions regarding representation by a Clearwater workers’ compensation attorney
Many injured workers are hesitant to consult with a lawyer for many reasons. Some may be concerned about being pressured (we will not pressure you), concerned about cost (our consultations are absolutely free and we do not get paid if you don’t), or they think their case isn’t important enough (your health is always important). Rest assured that speaking with someone in our law office will only make the process of obtaining benefits easier for you—not more difficult. The following are some FAQs regarding attorney representation:
Florida Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
How will I know I am hiring the right attorney?
Do some research. Check out Google reviews to see what our past clients have to say about us. Also, check out some trusted attorney ranking websites to see how we compare. The end of this article has links to the more trusted sites for this purpose. These websites will also list some of our firm’s awards and honors. If possible, ask someone who has worked with us in the past to see what they thought about our service and outcome. We are also proud to say that throughout the entire process, you will be in contact with your attorney. As a courtesy to free and open communication, you will have their personal cell phone number. We are happy to stand up to any scrutiny so that you are comfortable knowing that you made a good decision.
How much will it cost to discuss my case?
In-person or over-the-phone consultations with a highly experienced workers’ compensation attorney are absolutely free. The key word here is attorney. At large settlement mills, clients almost never meet with an actual attorney. At Dolman Law, we value your business and want to speak with you directly. Call us as soon as possible following a workplace injury or illness. You should never hesitate to pursue the compensation you deserve.
What if my injury prevents me from traveling?
Many injured workers are physically unable to come in to one of our office in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, or New Port Richie for a consultation. We completely understand. For this reason, we are happy to consult with you over the phone. We are also willing to handle whatever we can for your case via traditional mail, fax, or email, if necessary. We will also gladly send a colleague to your home for our free consultation if your situation prevents you from leaving the house. We have been working with injured victims for years and completely understand the intricacies and sensitivities of such a situation.
What should I do if I am unsatisfied with my current lawyer?
You always have the right to seek new representation. If you feel your current attorney is not handling your case appropriately—or any other reason—you are not obligated to see the case through with their firm. We will gladly help you in the process of changing lawyers as we welcome the opportunity to prove our exceptional client service and aggressive representation.
Do I need an attorney to receive a settlement?
You always have the choice to handle your workers’ compensation case on your own. It is most definitely your right. However, most people choose to hire an attorney for a few major reasons: (1) an injury or illness can make all the research, running around, and phone calls more difficult and tiring; (2) the process—even without an attorney—is law-based, including what can be complicated processes and forms; (3) the insurance company will most definitely have attorneys working for them, so most people like to level the playing field; (4) settlement negotiations without an attorney can be risky with lowball results. Insurers often try to take advantage of unrepresented parties by persuading or tricking them into accepting an offer that is far too low. Most people don’t deal with workers’ compensation claims every day (if ever), but the insurance adjusters definitely do. Often, they will try to make a claimant feel as if they have no other options, which is almost never the case. At Dolman Law, we welcome the opportunity to go toe-to-toe with the insurance companies in order to fight for the injured.
Work with us TODAY for FREE!
If you or a loved one has been involved in a situation regarding this topic, Dolman Law Group offers a completely free consultation and case evaluation. That means that we will: personally sit down with you, hear your case, inform you of your rights, let you know of any possible courses of action, and offer you our most suited attorney to handle your situation; all completely free of charge. We also offer a confident “No Recovery, No Fee” promise to our clients, enabling you peace-of-mind knowing that you aren’t obligated to pay us anything until we achieve a payout for you.
Our offices in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and New Port Richey ensure easy access from any location in the Tampa Bay area. Should you decide our firm is ideal for your situation, we will also advocate for anyone in the state of Florida. We aim for client satisfaction from start to finish and have no doubts about achieving this goal. Contact Dolman Law Group today and we’ll get started on your case quickly and confidentially.
About Us
Dolman Law Group was founded in 2009 by Matthew Dolman, Esq., who is now the president and equity partner of the firm. Matt attended Stetson University where he majored in trial advocacy; one of the highest rated trial advocacy programs in the nation. Matt has been selected for Florida Rising Stars in 2013–2016, a prestigious title given by Super Lawyers rating service to outstanding candidates under 40. Matt was also selected as a “National Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and as a “Top 40 under 40” by NTL (National Trial Lawyers Organization). He also scores a perfect 10.0 rating on Avvo.com, a respected online legal directory. In 2013, he became a lifelong member of the Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for his largest claim settlements.
Our firm focuses on personal injury law, representing many practice areas, including: those who have been injured in car or motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injury, slip and fall accidents, distracted or drunk driving, and many more.
At Dolman Law, we’re on your side. Being home to seven different experienced, successful, and professional attorneys makes having our team fighting for you a wise choice. We also provide an important gateway for success by providing our clients with the personal cell phone number of the attorney dealing with their case, enabling real relationships and connections. We’ve been ‘in it to win it’ since 2009 and we hope you are as well.
Here’s what Francesca from Clearwater said about us on Google:
“Working with Dolman Law was very easy. We dealt with Lauren and Geoff, both of whom were helpful and always willing to answer questions. We were satisfied with the outcome of the case and the amount of time it took to settle it. We would definitely consider Dolman Law again if we ever found ourselves in the same situation as before. ”
Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Check out all of our Google reviews!
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 451-6900
Contact us with our easy Online Form which will email us directly.
*The above information was written and reviewed by either Attorney Matthew Dolman or another injury lawyer at the Dolman Law Group which has a combined 90 plus years of experience practicing Florida personal injury law. Matthew Dolman himself has been practicing personal injury law in Clearwater and St. Petersburg for the last fifteen (15) years. The information provided comes from extensive research and years of experience trying legal cases in courtrooms throughout Florida.
Other helpful articles and blog posts:
- Florida Statutes on Workers’ Compensation
- Florida Division of Worker Compensation-FAQ
- Helpful Habits to Help Protect Your Case
Referenced:
