If you suffer an injury or contract an illness while performing your job, you may be in a position to receive workers’ compensation. Florida state law requires most employers to have workers’ compensation insurance, allowing injured employees to receive financial support, regardless of who is at fault for the accident.
One of the biggest questions about workers’ compensation is how long it lasts. Unfortunately, the answer is somewhat complicated. The circumstances of your workers’ compensation are unique to the nature of your injury or illness. An experienced workplace injury attorney will advocate to get you a fair timeline for receiving support.
Medical Support
Medical benefits are essential after you have sustained a workplace injury or illness. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may need extensive medical care. Workers' comp should cover the costs related to any treatments, medications, and rehabilitation services. It should also provide 3/4 of your weekly wages until you have achieved "maximum medical improvement" and are able to resume working.
With that in mind, the length of time you collect workers’ compensation can depend on the length of your treatment plant. For instance, if you have physical therapy appointments for years following the injury, your employer may still be responsible for paying for them.
Temporary and Permanent Disability
The severity of your workplace injury is another factor in determining how long you will receive workers’ compensation. Generally, you can divide an employee’s disability into two categories: temporary and permanent.
A temporary disability is any injury or impairment that prevents you from working but will eventually subside. Florida law usually permits temporary disability support for up to 104 weeks, depending on the circumstances.
Permanent disability refers to lifelong impairment. If your injury is so severe that you will never be able to return to work, your employer’s insurance may have an obligation to help you. In this instance, you may end up receiving a sizable portion of your original wages until you reach retirement age.
Disability support is highly restricted based on the recipient’s inability to work. Therefore, changes in employment status will likely impact your eligibility.
Contact Us
Every injured worker deserves compensation, but the process is not always easy. If you have been injured on the job, it's a good idea to consult with a qualified attorney who can help you understand your options and walk you through the process of seeking compensation.
If you have suffered a workplace injury, please call Kelleher Law at 833-546-3675 to schedule a free case review with one of our injury attorneys today. We have offices in Naples, Ft. Myers, and Atlanta. We serve injured workers living throughout Florida and Georgia.
