St. Petersburg Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

In Florida, employers are required to carry workers’ compensation to provide benefits to workers who are injured on the job. If you were hurt or developed an illness in the workplace in St. Petersburg, FL, you might be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.

An experienced St. Petersburg workers’ compensation lawyer at Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys can help you fight for every dollar you deserve.

Our lawyers have over 25 years of experience helping injured workers in the Tampa Bay area. Our dedication has helped us recover millions of dollars in compensation to date in cases such as St. Petersburg workplace accidents, St. Petersburg bad faith insurance, St. Petersburg negligent security, premises liability, product liability and more.

A workplace injury can throw your life off course. Let us help you get back on track. Call our law offices in St. Petersburg, Florida, at (727) 933-0015 to schedule a free consultation today.

How Can Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys Help With a Workers’ Compensation Claim in St. Petersburg?

How Can Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys Help With a Workers’ Compensation Claim in St. Petersburg?

There’s always a risk that you could get hurt on the job. Workplace injuries can be painful and expensive. If your injury prevents you from going back to work, your financial stress can start to add up quickly. Without financial help, you could find yourself in a difficult position.

Unfortunately, the workers’ compensation system isn’t as simple as it should be. Insurance companies and employers could also challenge your right to claim benefits. One of our experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorneys can help you navigate the process.

Our lawyers have decades of experience helping clients like you. Members of our legal team at Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys have been recognized by the Top 40 under 40 for personal injury law in 2020 and America’s Top Attorneys for 2020.

Hiring us means you’ll have an advocate to:

  • Handle the paperwork and file your workers’ compensation claim
  • Make sure you meet all deadlines
  • Defend you if your right to benefits is challenged
  • Assess your case value and make sure you’re getting the money you deserve
  • Determine whether you’re eligible to file a lawsuit for additional compensation
  • Negotiate with the workers’ compensation insurance company on your behalf

There’s no risk in learning about your rights. To get the legal advice you deserve, call our St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers for a free consultation today.

How Common Are Workplace Injuries and Illnesses in St. Petersburg?

Private employers across the United States reported about 2.7 million nonfatal occupational injuries and injuries to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2020. A total of 4,764 workers lost their lives in fatal workplace accidents that year.

In addition, 275 workers were killed on the job in Florida in 2020. Thousands more sustained nonfatal work injuries.

According to the Division of Workers’ Compensation, 2,265 workers’ compensation claims were filed across Pinellas County in 2021. Over $45 million in workers’ compensation benefits were paid out to those work accident victims.

What Is My St. Petersburg Workers’ Compensation Case Worth?

The value of your workers’ compensation claim depends on a number of factors, including:

  • The severity of your injury
  • The cost of your medical care
  • Whether you’re able to work in some partial capacity
  • Your average weekly wages prior to the accident or illness
  • The duration of your recovery
  • The identity of the party responsible for your injuries

In 2022, your benefit check will be capped at $1,099 per week regardless of how much money you earned prior to the injury.

What Types of Damages Does Workers’ Compensation Provide for Work Accident Victims?

Workers’ compensation provides three primary types of benefits in Florida:

  • Medical benefits
  • Income replacement benefits
  • Permanent disability benefits
  • Death benefits 

Under Florida workers’ compensation laws, all injured workers qualify for benefits if:

  • They’re classified as employees rather than independent contractors
  • The injury occurred in the course of employment

The injury doesn’t actually have to occur in the workplace to qualify. As long as you were performing employment-related duties when the accident happened, you can file a claim for benefits.

Medical Benefits

Your medical benefits cover all reasonable and necessary medical expenses. That includes the cost of:

  • Doctor’s visit
  • Hospitalization
  • Physical therapy
  • Medical tests
  • Prescription drugs
  • Prostheses and medical devices

You’re also entitled to be reimbursed for mileage for traveling to and from medical appointments.

However, to receive these benefits, you’re required to visit a medical provider that was approved by the workers’ compensation insurance company or your employer.

Wage Replacement Benefits

Injured workers also qualify for wage replacement benefits if they’re out of work for at least seven days. If you’re unable to work for at least 21 days, you’ll also receive compensation for the first seven days of lost wages.

There are several different types of disability benefits. The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the nature of your disability.

You may be entitled to:

  • Temporary total disability benefits if you’re completely unable to work
  • Temporary partial disability benefits if you’re put on restricted duty
  • Impairment benefits once you’ve reached maximum medical improvement
  • Permanent total disability benefits if you’re never able to work again

Our St. Petersburg workers’ compensation attorneys can evaluate your case to determine whether you’re receiving the correct form of disability benefits.

Death Benefits

In fatal work injury cases, surviving family members are entitled to workers’ comp benefits. You may be entitled to compensation for your loved one’s lost income. You may also be entitled to money for funeral costs and burial expenses.

Can I Sue My Employer for Additional Damages?

No. Florida workers’ comp provides benefits to injured workers regardless of who caused the accident. In exchange, you lose the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer.

Negligent third parties don’t receive similar protections. Some injured workers can file a personal injury claim against a responsible third party and receive additional compensation.

If you’re entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit, you can seek compensation for both your economic damages and your non-economic damages.

You might have a valid personal injury case if someone other than your employer caused your injuries. To learn more about third-party claims, call our law offices for a free case review today.

Our St. Petersburg Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Will Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Injuries

The workplace can create a risk of severe injuries regardless of whether you work in an office downtown or on a dangerous construction site.

Our workers’ comp lawyers often represent clients who have sustained various work-related injuries, including:

Our lawyers can also help you fight to recover workers’ compensation death benefits for wrongful death if your loved one was killed on the job.

What Causes Most Workplace Accidents in St. Petersburg, Florida?

Our lawyers in St. Petersburg handle all types of workplace accident claims, including those involving:

  • Slip and fall accidents
  • Trucking accidents
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Fires or explosions
  • Electrocution
  • Electric shock
  • Exposure to toxic substances
  • Scaffolding falls or scaffolding collapse
  • Falls from roofs, ladders, and heights
  • Accidents where a worker is caught between two objects
  • Accidents where a worker is hit by falling objects
  • Building collapse
  • Defective work equipment
  • Dangerous property conditions
  • Accidents involving heavy machinery
  • Lifting heavy objects
  • Assault, sexual assault, and criminal activity

Regardless of how you were hurt, you may qualify for workers’ comp benefits. To learn more about your legal rights, give us a call for a free case evaluation today.

Do I Have To Prove Negligence to Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Florida?

You don’t have to prove negligence to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system.

You’ll only have to prove negligence if you’re eligible to file a third-party claim against the person responsible for your injuries.

For example, you may have a valid claim if your injuries were caused by:

  • A negligent driver in a car accident
  • The manufacturer of a defective product
  • A property owner who failed to maintain their premises

Do you have questions about your legal options after a work-related accident? Call Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys for a free initial consultation today.

How Long Do I Have To File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Florida?

The statute of limitations in most personal injury cases is two years. That is, as of March 24, 2023. Prior to that date, negligence cases had a four-year deadline, but the state shortened it. Thus, if your work accident occurred after 3/24/23, you have two years to file a personal injury claim.

To protect your right to workers’ compensation, however, you must report the injury to your employer within 30 days.

Wait too long, and you’ll risk losing your right to benefits.

Contact a St. Petersburg Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Were you or a loved one injured on the job in St. Petersburg? Call Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys for a free consultation today. An experienced St. Petersburg workers’ compensation lawyer can fight to make sure you’re getting the full compensation you’re entitled to receive.

Visit Our Personal Injury Office in St. Petersburg, FL

Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys
700 7th Ave N Suite B St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 933-0015

We are available 24/7 to take your call; contact us today.

Our personal injury law firm in St. Petersburg, FL also provides: