Experienced Orlando Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

If you were hurt on the job in Orlando, Florida law entitles you to medical care and wage replacement benefits, but insurance carriers do not make that process easy. The Orlando workers’ compensation lawyers at Sternberg | Forsythe, P.A. help injured workers throughout Orange County get the benefits they are owed, from the first medical visit through appeal if a claim is denied.

Sternberg | Forsythe, P.A. represents injured workers in Orlando and throughout Orange County in Florida workers’ compensation claims. The firm handles denied claims, disputed benefits, and appeals before the Florida Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims (OJCC) in Orlando.

Florida workers’ compensation pays two-thirds of a worker’s average weekly wage for temporary disability, capped at $1,358 per week for injuries occurring in 2026, plus authorized medical care and, when applicable, permanent impairment benefits.

Orlando’s economy is anchored by leisure and hospitality, construction, and healthcare, three of the industries with the highest rates of workplace injury, from theme park and hotel staff to framers and roofers on Orlando’s expanding construction sites.

A worker generally has two years from the date of injury (or from the last payment of benefits) to file a claim under Florida Statute 440.19, and reporting the injury to an employer within 30 days is required to preserve the claim.

Sternberg | Forsythe, P.A. offers free consultations to injured Orlando workers and does not charge attorneys’ fees unless the firm recovers benefits on the client’s behalf.

Key Takeaway

• Florida workers’ compensation covers medical treatment, wage replacement, and permanent impairment benefits for job injuries, regardless of who was at fault.
• The 2026 maximum weekly benefit is $1,358, based on 66 2/3 percent of a worker’s average weekly wage under Fla. Stat. 440.12 and 440.14.
• Orlando’s tourism, construction, and healthcare industries report some of the highest workplace injury rates in Central Florida.
• Disputed and denied claims in the Orlando area are heard by the Florida Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims, Orlando District, based in Altamonte Springs.
• Workers have 30 days to report an injury to their employer and generally two years to file a formal claim.
• An experienced Orlando workers’ compensation lawyer can appeal a denial, challenge an independent medical examination, and negotiate a fair settlement.

Why Orlando Workers Hire Sternberg | Forsythe, P.A.

Florida’s workers’ compensation system is a no-fault system, which means an injured worker does not have to prove an employer did something wrong to receive benefits. In practice, however, insurance carriers routinely dispute claims, delay authorization for treatment, and send injured workers to independent medical examiners who minimize their injuries. Our Orlando workers’ compensation attorneys step in at any stage of that process, whether a claim was just filed or has already been denied.

Attorneys Scott Sternberg and Gregory Forsythe built the firm around a straightforward idea: injured workers deserve the same level of representation that insurance companies bring to every claim. The firm has represented workers across Florida in the industries that dominate the Orlando economy, including hospitality, theme park operations, construction, warehousing, and healthcare.

You can read more about the attorneys handling Orlando cases on our attorney profile pages, including Scott Sternberg and Gregory Forsythe.

Where Orlando Workers Get Hurt

Orlando’s economy looks different from most Florida cities, and that shapes the kinds of injury claims our firm sees from Orange County workers. Leisure and hospitality is the region’s single largest employer, driven by theme parks, resort hotels, and the Orange County Convention Center, and it also has a high rate of lifting, slip-and-fall, and repetitive strain injuries. 

Construction is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the Orlando metro, adding jobs at more than 5% per year, which brings a higher share of fall, equipment, and struck-by claims. Healthcare and education round out the top employers, led by large systems such as AdventHealth and Orlando Health, where patient handling injuries are common among nurses and support staff.

Orlando metro workforce by industry sector. Leisure and hospitality, construction, and healthcare together account for nearly half of all jobs in Orange County.

Our attorneys handle claims across the full range of on-the-job injuries, which are detailed on our types of workplace injuries page, from repetitive strain to catastrophic trauma.

Leading Causes of Workplace Injury

Nationally, the same handful of hazards account for most of the cost and severity of workplace injuries, and Orlando’s job mix puts local workers squarely in the path of several of them.

Overexertion, falls, and being struck by an object or piece of equipment account for nearly 70 percent of disabling workplace injury costs nationwide.

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Workers’ Compensation Benefits Available in Florida

Florida workers’ compensation benefits fall into a few main categories, and the type and amount of benefit a worker receives depends on the severity of the injury and how long recovery takes.

Florida’s maximum weekly workers’ comp rate rises each January 1 with the statewide average weekly wage. The cap that applies to a claim is fixed by the date of injury.

For a full breakdown of how these benefits are calculated, see our page on how Florida workers’ comp is calculated, and our guide to whether you can exceed the state’s maximum weekly amount.

What to Do After a Workplace Injury in Orlando

The steps you take in the first days after a work injury often determine how smoothly your claim moves forward. Seek medical attention right away, even if the injury seems minor, and be specific with the treating provider about how the injury happened and every part of your body affected. Report the accident to a supervisor or manager in writing, and keep a copy for your own records rather than relying on a verbal conversation. Write down names of any coworkers who witnessed the accident while the details are still fresh, and take photographs of the scene, equipment, or hazard involved if it is safe to do so.

Many of the workers we represent were employed at large Orlando area employers, including the region’s theme parks, resort and hotel properties, hospital systems, and construction contractors working on the metro’s ongoing development boom. These employers typically carry workers’ compensation coverage through large national insurers with dedicated claims teams and defense attorneys, which is exactly why an injured worker benefits from having representation of their own from the outset rather than after a denial has already been issued.

The Florida Workers’ Compensation Claims Process

• Report the injury to your employer in writing within 30 days. Missing this deadline is one of the most common reasons carriers deny claims.
• Your employer’s insurance carrier authorizes treatment with a doctor of its choosing. You generally cannot pick your own physician for authorized care.
• The carrier reviews the claim and either begins paying benefits or issues a notice of denial explaining the basis for the denial.
• If the claim is denied or benefits are cut off, a Petition for Benefits can be filed with the Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims.
• Mediation is scheduled, typically within 130 days of filing the petition, to try to resolve the dispute without a trial.
• If mediation fails, the case proceeds to a final hearing before a Judge of Compensation Claims, who issues a written order.

We walk through each of these steps in more detail on our Florida workers’ compensation claims process page, including what to do if your claim is contested.

Orlando Workers’ Compensation Resources

Injured workers in Orange County interact with several state and local offices during a claim. The resources below are commonly needed throughout the process.

For a plain-language overview of state law, visit our Florida workers’ compensation laws page, which explains employer obligations and worker protections under Chapter 440.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to report a workplace injury in Orlando?

You must notify your employer within 30 days of the accident, or within 30 days of when you knew or should have known the condition was work related for repetitive stress injuries. Waiting past this window is one of the most common reasons insurance carriers deny a claim.

How much does an Orlando workers’ compensation lawyer cost?

Sternberg | Forsythe, P.A. handles workers’ compensation cases on a contingency basis, and Florida law sets attorney’s fees as a percentage of the benefits recovered. You pay nothing out of pocket, and there is no fee unless we recover benefits for you.

What if my employer says I was not hurt on the job?

An employer’s opinion does not decide a workers’ compensation claim. If your employer disputes that your injury is work related, you can still file a claim, and the insurance carrier or a Judge of Compensation Claims will ultimately determine compensability based on medical evidence.

Can I choose my own doctor for a workers’ comp injury in Florida?

In most cases, no. The insurance carrier has the right to select an authorized treating physician. If the carrier denies care or you disagree with the treatment provided, an attorney can request a one-time change of physician or challenge the denial.

What happens if my workers’ comp claim is denied?

You can file a Petition for Benefits with the Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims, Orlando District. The case proceeds through mediation and, if unresolved, a final hearing before a judge. An attorney can build the medical and factual record needed to overturn the denial.

How much can I receive from a workers’ comp settlement in Florida?

Settlement value depends on the type of injury, permanent impairment rating, remaining medical needs, and lost wages. Minor injuries often settle for $10,000 to $30,000, while injuries involving surgery or lasting impairment can settle well into six figures.

Can I be fired for filing a workers’ compensation claim in Orlando?

Florida law prohibits retaliation against an employee for filing a workers’ compensation claim in good faith. If you believe you were terminated or demoted because you reported a work injury, you should speak with an attorney promptly.

Do I still get benefits if I was partly at fault for my accident?

Generally, yes. Florida workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, so benefits are typically available even if your own conduct contributed to the accident, unless the carrier proves misconduct such as intoxication or willful violation of a safety rule.

What is a Florida workers’ comp Independent Medical Examination (IME)?

An IME is an examination by a doctor selected by the insurance carrier, used to evaluate your injury and treatment. IME findings are often used to argue for reduced benefits or an early return to work, so it is important to prepare for these appointments with your attorney.

How long does a workers’ comp case take in Orlando?

Uncontested claims may resolve in a matter of months. Contested claims that require a Petition for Benefits typically take longer, often six months to over a year, depending on mediation scheduling and whether the case proceeds to a final hearing.

Do I need a lawyer for a workers’ compensation claim in Florida?

You are not required to have an attorney, but insurance carriers have adjusters and defense counsel working to limit what they pay. An attorney levels that playing field, particularly once a claim is denied, benefits are reduced, or a permanent impairment rating is at issue.