Workplace injuries happen quite frequently and these accidents frequently occur by no fault of the injured employee. There are specific industries that have the highest prevalence of injury. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employees working in the following industries in 2018 were the most vulnerable to harm while on the job:

1. Construction
2. Transportation and warehousing
3. Professional and business services
4. Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting
5. Government

In the state of Florida, there were 332 fatal injuries in 2018 alone. The number of injuries in the workplace rose from those reported in 2017. In 2018 the most common reason for Florida workplace injuries included:

• 35% of accidents were from Transportation incidents.
• 25% of accidents were from falls, slips, and trips.
• 17% of accidents were from exposure to harmful substances or environments.
• 11%  of accidents were from contact with objects or instruments.
• 12% of accidents had miscellaneous sources.

What Should You Do After You Have Been Injured at Work?

The first thing to do is to contact your supervisor and inform them of the event. This will start the documentation process and have your incident filed so you have proof that the incident did happen. That is important to your Florida workers’ compensation claim. Depending on the state you reside in, you may be able to report your incident verbally, but not always. There are some states that require an incident to be reported and submitted in writing. Regardless of which your state requires, a written notification can add value to your workers’ compensation claim.

Next, seek medical treatment immediately. Not only is medical documentation and professional diagnosis of your injuries going to be immensely helpful to your case, but it will also get you on the road to recovery much faster. Waiting too long to be properly diagnosed and put on a treatment plan puts you at a higher risk of developing other conditions or ailments that may be much harder to recover from over the long-term. 

Last, you must act quickly to ensure you can receive your benefits. Do not wait to have your claim filed after your accident. In Florida, the statute of limitations to file your claim is two years from the date of the injury or one year after the last date of received benefits. Working with a Tallahassee Workers' Comp Lawyer is a solid way to make certain that your claim is filed properly and on-time. The Florida workers' comp lawyers at the Law Firm of Stephen M. Andrews, P.A. are highly experienced in helping injured victims obtain the benefits that they are entitled to. If you are ready to file a claim and want to make sure you are successful in obtaining benefits or if you are going through an appeal after you experienced a denial, Stephen M. Andrews, P.A. will help you see a favorable outcome.  Your attorney will work on your case so that you are in the best position possible to overcome your denial and obtain the benefits you deserve.

How a Florida Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help 

Obtaining compensation after a Florida workplace accident injury is important to your recovery and well-being. Please contact the Florida workers' compensation law firm of Stephen M. Andrews, P.A. today at (850) 906-9599 for more information.