Navigating what your options are for financial assistance when you have been injured at work is a tough job and can be very confusing. You are not alone if you have questions. Stephen M. Andrews, P.A. is a Florida workers’ compensation and social security disability lawyer that can help answer all of your questions. After a Florida workplace accident, you have options and you deserve to obtain the benefits you are entitled to. The first place to start is to get an understanding of the differences between workers’ compensation benefits and Social Security Disability benefits.

When Can You Get Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability Benefits?

Workers’ compensation insurance is a benefit paid by your employer to accommodate those who may be involved in an on the job accident where they sustain injuries or become ill. This benefit covers the following:

• Medical expenses for treatment and care related to your workplace injury or illness.
• Travel expenses to appointments for care related to your workplace injury or illness.
• Reimburse a portion of your wages that you lost when you are unable to work due to your workplace injury or illness.

Sometimes victims of a Florida workplace injury or illness are harmed so much that they cannot return to their previous line of work. Even though they can’t go back to their old job, they still may be able to work in another profession. When this happens, there may be the ability for workers’ comp to cover the costs that come with training for a new role. In other situations, a victim may be so negatively impacted by the immensity of their injuries that they would be paid a lump sum. Losing a limb or when a person dies from their injuries or illness are examples of when this type of settlement would be administered.

In contrast, Social Security Disability Insurance is managed by the federal government through the Social Security Administration and funded with taxpayer money. When a person has a major medical issue that precludes them from being able to work, they may be eligible for these benefits when the following are true:

• Your medical condition falls under the guidelines that the government has dictated to define being “disabled.”
• You are under the age of 65 and medical condition rules out any ability you have to work for more than one year.
• You have at least paid into the system for five to 10 years before your injury or illness occurred.

The benefits you can receive from SSDI include:

• Monthly payments while you are disabled.
• Health insurance through Medicare.
• Some family members may qualify for supplementary benefits.

Find a Trusted Florida Social Security Disability Benefits Attorney Today

Stephen M. Andrews, P.A. can help you manage the aftermath of your workplace accident while also explaining the difference between Florida workers’ compensation law and SSDI.

Call Stephen M. Andrews, P.A. immediately after you have been injured at work. The Tallahassee workers’ compensation law firm can be reached by calling (850) 906-9599 and scheduling a free, no-obligation consultation.