With limited exceptions, it is the responsibility of most Florida businesses to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance serves to help employees pay for their medical expenses and it also provides a part of their weekly wages so that they can have some income while they are out of work tending to their injuries. Like any type of insurance, when claims are made where the insurance company has to pay out settlements, the result is to raise rates on business owners. Business owners aren’t interested in high overhead costs and always focused on the company’s bottom line. For this reason, it is understandable when you are injured at work that you may be concerned about alerting your employer and filing a claim out of fear for your job security.

When you are injured, you are entitled to receive compensation and you could have a valid Florida workers’ compensation claim. You can have all of your questions answered and legal options reviewed when you speak with a Florida workers’ compensation attorney. It is very important that you inform your employer of your injuries from your work accident because they are under a time limit to report it to their insurance provider. If you wait on telling them, and then realize that you need help to pay for the medical care you are obtaining for your injuries, reporting your accident late could be a reason why your claim will be denied. When this happens, you may be stuck with all your costs paid out of pocket.

What Happens If Your Employer Fires You After Filing a Florida Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Under Florida workers’ compensation law, your employer cannot discriminate against you and seek revenge by terminating your job after you filed a Florida workers’ compensation claim. If this happens, you are within your rights to speak with a Florida workers’ compensation attorney to determine if you have a basis for suing. Because Florida operates under the “employment-at-will” doctrine, an employer is not obligated to tell you in advance or give you an explanation for firing you from your position. This gives employers great flexibility to make decisions on personnel.

When you can prove that you lost your job directly because you filed a workers’ compensation claim, Florida statutes state that this is unlawful. An employer that tries to intimidate or threaten an employee who was injured at work from filing a personal injury claim or retaliates against an employee can be held to account under workers’ compensation laws.

You are entitled to receiving the benefits of workers’ compensation when you had a valid injury from an accident on the job. If you are concerned about your job security and refrain from filing a claim, you may very well regret it. The law is on your side if your employer exacts unfair retribution for filing a claim.

Speak with a Tallahassee Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today

Stephen M. Andrews, P.A.is a Tallahassee workers’ compensation attorney that has extensive experience helping injured workers secure the highest amount of money possible after their workplace accidents. With over 35 years of providing legal representation to injured employees, Stephen M. Andrews, P.A. knows what it takes and how to negotiate with insurance providers to gain a fair settlement for his clients. Connect with Stephen M. Andrews, P.A. immediately when you were injured on the job in Florida. To schedule a free consultation with a Tallahassee workers’ compensation lawyer please call (850) 906-9599.