Lost Wage Benefits Through Workers’ Compensation

If you’ve been injured on the job anywhere in Florida, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Lakeland and surrounding areas, you may be entitled to lost wage benefits through workers’ compensation. Here’s how you can ensure you receive your wages and why an insurance adjuster might not be responding:

Getting Your Wages Paid After a Work Injury in Florida

1. Report the Injury Immediately – Notify your employer as soon as possible. In Florida, you must report the injury within 30 days or when you knew or should have known you had a workers compensation injury.
2. Seek Medical Treatment – Your employer or their insurance company must authorize your doctor. Only treatment from an approved provider qualifies for benefits, however, there can be significant delays in obtaining medical treatment if you do not have a workers compensation lawyer.
3. File a Workers’ Compensation Claim – Your employer should report your injury to their insurance company within seven days. If they fail to do so, you can contact the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation.
4. Determine Your Eligibility for Wage Benefits:
   • Temporary Total Disability (TTD) – If you can’t work at all, you may receive 66 2/3% of your average weekly wage.  The adjuster usually does not have immediate access to your payroll data following the accident which is why many times you will not get paid correctly.
   • Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) – If you can work with restrictions but earn less than before, you may be entitled to partial wage loss benefits.  Typically, the insurance adjuster will just estimate your wages, and you may not be receiving all you the money you deserve.  A workers compensation attorney in the Tampa and Hillsborough County area can make sure you are wages are being paid correctly, even while on light duty.
   • Permanent Total Disability Benefits – If your injury results in a permanent impairment and an inability to return to any employment, you may qualify for permanent total benefits.  These benefits are usually denied and contested by the insurance company so a workers compensation attorney will be your best strategy to get these benefits started.  Ultimately, it may an attorney to try your case in front of  a Judge of Compensation Claims in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, depending on where you were injured.
5. Ensure the Insurance Company Pays on Time – Benefits should begin within 21 days of reporting your injury, provided your claim is accepted as compensable.  If you find the insurance company is delaying your payments or paying late, you should reach out for an immediate free case evaluation with Attorney Kevin A Moore.

Why is the Insurance Adjuster Ignoring You?

• Delaying Tactics – Insurance companies often delay communication in hopes that you’ll give up or make a mistake.
• Insufficient Documentation – If they claim they lack proper medical records or employer documentation, they might use that as an excuse not to respond.
• Denial of Your Claim – If they plan to deny your claim, they may avoid communication until they issue a formal decision.
• Caseload Issues – Some adjusters have high caseloads and simply don’t prioritize your claim.
• Legal Pressure Needed – If they continuously ignore you, it may be time to involve a workers’ compensation attorney.

What Can You Do?

• Document Every Attempt to Contact Them – Keep a record of calls, emails, and letters both to the insurance company adjuster and your employer.
• Send a Certified Letter – Request a response in writing.
• Contact the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation – If they are unresponsive, you can file a complaint.
• Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney – A lawyer is always the most effective way to push the adjuster to act and get medical and wage loss benefits.

Put Kevin In Your Corner Today

Let Kevin take care of you and your case so that you can focus on getting better. Get in touch with him today for a free consultation by sending an email or calling 844-538-6580.