Did you know that if you are a remote worker in Florida and you are injured while working, you may be able to receive workers’ comp benefits? That’s right! Even if you are not physically present in the state when the injury occurs, as long as your employer has authorized you to work from home, you may be eligible for compensation.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss what you need to do to qualify for workers’ comp benefits and how to file a claim. We’ll also cover the importance of getting legal help if you’re injured while working remotely. So, whether you’re injured while on the job or your employer denies your workers’ comp claim, be sure to contact an experienced Florida workers’ compensation lawyer for help.
What Is Workers’ Compensation, and Who Is It For?
In the United States, workers’ compensation is a system of insurance that provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job. Employees who are covered by workers’ compensation insurance are typically entitled to medical benefits, income replacement benefits, and death benefits.
Medical benefits can include payment for hospitalization, surgical expenses, and rehabilitation costs. Income replacement benefits can provide a percentage of an employee’s lost wages while they are unable to work. Death benefits can provide financial support to the families of employees who die as a result of a job-related accident or illness.
Workers’ compensation is typically mandatory in most jurisdictions, meaning employers must provide coverage for their employees. However, the eligibility requirements for workers’ compensation vary from state to state. In some states, workers who are not full-time or who work remotely are not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. In other states, all workers are eligible for benefits regardless of their employment status.
In cases where workers are not eligible for workers’ compensation, they may be able to sue their employer for the damages they have incurred. Workers should consult with an attorney to determine their eligibility for workers’ compensation and to learn more about their legal rights.
Can Remote Workers in Florida Receive Workers’ Comp Benefits?
One of the most common questions we receive as workers’ comp lawyers is whether worker’s compensation also covers remote employees in Florida. Yes, it does. However, there are limitations on what qualifies as a work injury while working from home.
One of the primary factors that your work comp adjusters will consider is the time the injury happened. As a rule of thumb, your injury should have occurred within working hours to be a work-related injury.
You will also need to prove that your injury happened in the line of duty. This may be hard to prove without any witnesses to testify in your favor. However, with the help of experienced workers’ comp lawyers, you can build your case and get the compensation you deserve.
A great worker’s comp lawyer can help you determine whether your home office qualifies as your “secondary work premise” due to the nature of your remote job. If it does, you may be eligible to receive most of the benefits onsite workers get from their worker’s compensation claims.
What Are the Steps to Take if You’re Injured While Working Remotely?
If you work remotely, you may find it more difficult to prove your worker’s compensation status. Without security cameras or witnesses, you will need to work harder to collect evidence for your case. However, there are some steps you can take to improve your chances of receiving compensation:
Report Your Accident
If you ever get injured while working remotely, you’ll first want to report your injuries to your boss. Be specific in giving the reasons that led to your injuries. For instance, did you slip on your way to getting a coffee? At what time did the accident occur? What injuries did you sustain?
In most cases, your boss may require a written report of the accident. Be sure to keep a copy for your reference. It will come in handy while filing your claim.
Take Photos
You will need to take clear photographs of the accident scene before you clean up any mess that may have resulted from your fall or accident. For example, if you fall down the stairs, capture your staircase from all possible angles.
Taking pictures of the scene of the accident can be crucial in proving your case. In addition, pictures can help show that you took precautions to make your home safe and that the accident was beyond your control. If you are able to provide clear and convincing evidence, you will be more likely to win your case and receive the compensation you deserve.
Record Your Injuries
Another crucial step you do not want to skip is photographing your injuries. Whether you have sustained a minor cut or a severe fracture, take photos of the injured part. Workers’ comp claims may drag on for a long time, but if you have pictures of your injuries, you have timeless evidence that you sustained injuries while working from home.
Get Treatment for Your Injuries
Since you are in the house, you may be tempted to band-aid your injury and take a nap to rest the pain away. However, that will only hurt your chances of getting compensation. Be sure to visit your primary care provider and have them rule out any internal injuries that may have occurred from your fall.
Also remember to keep track of all your bills since you may need to submit these records to get reimbursement or to have your worker’s comp adjuster settle them.
Hire A Worker’s Comp Lawyer
The most crucial step you need to take after any remote work injury is to contact a worker’s comp lawyer. Proving your case as a remote worker is not going to be easy. You need all the legal help that you can get.
Be sure to explain all the details to your lawyer. Remember, your lawyer is there to help you, so you will need to equip them with all your medical records and any other documentation that may help to build your case.
What Should You Do if Your Employer Denies Your Claim for Workers’ Compensation?
Your employer may reject your claim for a variety of reasons. You may have filed the complaint after the statute of limitations expired or suffered the damage outside of working hours. Another possible reason is if you were intoxicated when you were injured. While there may be numerous legitimate grounds for your employer to decline your claim, some employers may deny your claim for no reason at all.
The good news is that you can always appeal a denied worker’s comp claim to get your compensation. The best way to go about a denied claim would be to seek the services of a qualified worker’s comp lawyer. They will help you gather all the evidence you need to prove your case. In most cases, a judge will decide your worker’s comp eligibility and order your employer to either honor their duty to you or uphold the denial.
Why You Should Hire a Worker’s Comp Lawyer
Being injured at work is always a stressful and confusing experience. You may be worried about your job, your income, and your ability to return to work. If you are injured remotely, the added stress of dealing with a workers’ compensation claim on your own can be overwhelming. A workers’ comp lawyer can help you navigate the workers’ compensation system and get the benefits you deserve.
Workers’ compensation laws can be complex, and an experienced lawyer will know how to build a strong case on your behalf. In addition, a lawyer can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and represent you in court if necessary.
There are a few things to keep in mind if you’ve been injured while working remotely. First, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, so it doesn’t matter who was at fault for the accident. Second, you generally have to report your injury to your employer within a certain time frame, so it’s important to do that as soon as possible.
Finally, every state has different workers’ compensation laws, so it’s important to consult with a lawyer who is familiar with Florida’s workers’ compensation laws.
Let Us Help You!
If you have been injured while working remotely in Florida, it is important to understand your rights and the potential benefits available to you. A workers’ compensation lawyer can help you assess your case and file the appropriate paperwork. At Sternberg | Forsythe, P.A., we are dedicated to helping injured workers get the benefits they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case.