Sustaining injuries at work isn’t something that anyone wants to deal with. Nevertheless, workplace injuries do happen every day. The National Safety Council reports that every seven seconds a person sustains injuries in an accident that happens while they are working. The whole situation can be quite overwhelming as there is much to think about and to do. The most important thing is to get the medical attention you need because without it, you will have a much more difficult time recovering and your injuries can progress. 

The next thing to do is to figure out how to sustain yourself and your family while you are out of work recovering from your injuries. In the state of Florida, every person who is injured while on the job has the right to file a Florida workers’ compensation claim with their employer’s Florida workers’ compensation insurance provider. 

When you move forward with a Florida workers’ compensation claim you are probably also thinking of whether you should hire an attorney or if you should represent yourself. Statistically, it is true that with a Florida workers’ compensation attorney, injured employees obtain higher settlement amounts in less time than when they attempt to self-represent. However, there are some cases where self-representation makes sense.

When Should You Consider Representing Yourself in a Florida Workers’ Comp Case?

Due to the high complexity and intricacy of the Florida workers’ compensation process, it is generally advisable to hire an attorney so you can be sure your case is managed carefully and effectively. When you use an attorney you'll have better peace of mind that you will obtain the full amount of benefits you are entitled to. Despite this, the state of Florida does not have any laws requiring you to hire an attorney to handle your Florida workers’ compensation case, so you have the option of representing yourself. 

When you are trying to figure out whether or not you should represent yourself or work with an attorney, ask yourself the following questions. If all of these are true in your case, self-representation may be a good option.

1. Your accident was not severe and only required minimal medical treatment like a couple of stitches or a compression wrap.
2. Your employer is cooperative with you and agrees the accident took place at work and is the cause of your injuries.
3. Your injuries are not significant enough to keep you out of work for very long.
4. Your injury is not impacted by pre-existing conditions for which the seriousness or legitimacy of your workplace accident causing your injuries can be questioned.

Speak with a Florida Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today

Cases, where injuries stem from workplace accidents, can get murky quickly. The insurance companies do not want to pay the costs associated with injuries sustained at work and will do what they can to deny claims or undervalue them. If you are having an issue with your claim, reach out to Stephen M. Andrews, a trusted and resourceful Tallahassee workers’ compensation attorney. Stephen M. Andrews specializes in helping victims of workplace accidents secure the most compensation after their accident experience.

Schedule your free consultation with Stephen M. Andrews, a Florida workers’ comp and SSDI attorney at (850) 906-9599.