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4 Common Questions about Florida Workers Compensation

Florida workers compensation can be difficult to understand. When you’re injured on the job, what you need is to know what you can expect when you file a claim. You need something that is uncomplicated and straightforward, which is what I want to provide to you today.

As a doctor who is well-versed in workers compensation matters in Florida, I hear many different questions from my patients. Here are some of the most common questions that I hear.

What Injuries Does Florida Workers Compensation Cover?

Many people wonder what types of injuries are covered under workers compensation. It’s actually pretty simple: any injuries that happen while performing the duties of a job are covered, and benefits pertaining to the injured party are due. In addition to injuries at work, illness and negative effects on health are also covered.

What Are the Medical Benefits?

Your employer, under Florida workers compensation, usually must pay for all medical treatment required because of an injury. Hospital care, dental work, surgery, and vision are all included. Medical supplies and equipment—for instance, crutches, braces, and prescriptions—are also covered under your employer’s workers compensation program.

How Long Does a Florida Workers Compensation Case Usually Take?

How long your Florida workers compensation case takes to resolve depends on a number of factors. First, the severity of your injury and type of injury you sustain can influence the time it takes you to recover. Some injuries are lifelong, and your employer’s

workers compensation insurance is responsible for those costs. It might only be a matter of a few hours if you only need a few stitches.

The amount of time and the benefits that you receive also depend on whether your doctor can show causation between the injury and your working conditions. Hiring an inexperienced doctor who does not know how to properly show causation can end up costing you the benefits that you deserve. Add to that the cost of going to court if you want to pursue your case.

What Mistakes Should I Avoid When Filing a Claim?

There are quite a few mistakes that you should avoid when filing a Florida workers compensation claim. Some of these mistakes include:

• Failing to notify your employer of an injury in a timely manner.
• Not filing your claim quickly.
• Not showing causation between your injury and the duties performed.
• Failing to document your injuries properly.

You are ultimately responsible for the first steps you take when trying to get the benefits you deserve. However, having someone by your side who is experienced with Florida workers compensation cases can help your claim get approved, even if you make mistakes during the initial stages of your claim.

If you want to protect yourself and gain the benefits you deserve from your work injury, make sure you have someone on your team who will fight to get your claim approved. Dr. Newman is the right workers compensation doctor for your back and joint injuries. Contact us today to learn how we can help you!

What You Should Know about Herniated Discs and Workers’ Compensation

Herniated discs are one of the most common—not to mention painful—problems that working professionals have to deal with on the job. Without treatment and time off from the type of work that caused it in the first place, a damaged spinal disc will not get better. In fact, it can only get worse without the right remedy.

But how can you afford to take time off from work and pay for your medical bills?

Everyone who has asked me that question is beyond relieved to hear that this type of injury is covered by workers’ compensation. To help prevent this type of injury from getting worse or from happening in the first place, it helps to understand how it happens as well as what symptoms to look out for in the future.

Ready?

Here we go.

How Herniated Discs Happen

The discs in your spine are spongey little shock absorbers. They help protect the bones and nerves in your spine from getting injured during movement. However, they can slip out of place. When this happens, the disc pushes on nearby nerves, which causes pain, sometimes so severe that it prevents the sufferer from getting out of bed.

Herniated discs happen for a variety of reasons. The cause is often a sudden shock to the spine, usually from improper lifting techniques, slip and fall accidents, repetitive motions, or even automobile accidents. While it is true that people with manual labor jobs have a higher risk of sustaining such an injury, even people who work in an office can herniate their discs from sitting for long periods without a break.

This type of injury can occur anywhere from the cervical joints in the neck to the lumbar regions of the lower back. Because of this, symptoms are not always the same.

Symptoms of Herniated Discs

The symptoms associated with disc injuries can take the following forms:

• Weakness in the arms or legs
• Difficulty moving
• Back and shoulder pain
• Chest, abdominal, and hip pain
• Numbness and tingling in one or both legs
• Headaches regardless of sitting, standing, or lying down

If you have any of the following symptoms and you think you’ve injured a spinal disc, it’s important that you do not continue work. Report your injury to your supervisor and seek the advice of a medical professional as soon as possible. Continuing to work without treatment can worsen your condition and cause lasting damage.

Getting Your Claim Accepted

Once you have reported your claim to your supervisor, you should make an appointment with a doctor. To get your work injury accepted, choose a medical professional who has experience dealing with workers’ compensation cases and showing causation between work performed and injury.

Want a doctor who is experienced with back injuries and workers’ compensation? Call us today to set up your appointment. We will start treatment right away and make sure that your claim is accepted so you can get the benefits you deserve.

Miami DOL/OWCP Injury Doctors

Were you injured working for the Federal or State Government?

If so then the Miami Neck & Back Pain Center can help you receive all of the DOL/OWCP benefits you deserve.

Finally, a doctor who is an expert in DOL workers compensation.