What is Worker’s Compensation Florida?

The state of Florida has a dedicated division called the Division of Workers’ Compensation or DWC which is responsible for providing the tools and resources that both employees and employers may need in order to participate or make any claims related to Worker’s Compensation Florida.

The DWC assists injured workers as well as their employers, medical providers, and insurance companies in order for them to follow the workers’ compensation Florida’s rules and laws.

Who Are Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

Employers are required by law to insure their workers and provide them with cash benefits as well as medical care in the event of an injury or illness as a direct result of their jobs.

Workers’ compensation is an insurance coverage purchased by the employer or business. This covers an employee in case of a work-related injury. Florida law requires all employers to provide this insurance to their workers.

The company is responsible to pay for the insurance and the worker is not required to make any contribution to the cost of their compensation. The employer’s preferred insurance carrier will pay the weekly cash benefits and medical care to the injured employee as directed by Florida’s Division of Workers’ Compensation. The division is the one that processes insurance claims and decides whether or not the insurer will reimburse cash benefits and medical expenses, as well as the amounts payable.

How to File for Workers’ Compensation Florida Benefits?

If you become injured or ill as a result of your job, you must first report an injury to be eligible for workers’ compensation Florida benefits.

You should report your work-related injury or illness as soon as you can to your employer. This report must be submitted within 30 days of the accident or 30 days from the date that a doctor gives you a diagnosis of an illness as a result of your work activity. If this report is not made within 30 days, your claim may be denied.

The employer will forward your claim to the insurance carrier. If the company does not report or forward your claim to a work-related injury, you may contact the insurance carrier to report the claim.

You can find the forms that you need to fill out and submit from here – https://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/WC/PublicationsFormsManualsReports/Forms/Default.htm.

What If the Employer Disputes the Claim?

If the employer disputes your claim, no benefits will be paid until the workers’ compensation law judge decides if it is eligible.

In the meantime, the employee may be eligible for disability benefits while the case is under dispute. However, any payments made under the Disability Program will be deducted from the cash benefits in case the employee is awarded the workers’ compensation in the future.

You may also be entitled to receive a benefit that will pay two-thirds of the difference in your pay once you return to work and your work-related injury prevents you from earning the same amount you used to earn.