Pensacola Workplace Injury Lawyer
Quick Answer
Florida workers' compensation covers medical care and partial wage loss for on-the-job injuries without proof of fault, but it does not pay for pain and suffering. When a party other than your employer caused the injury, a separate negligence claim can recover the full measure of damages.
Key Takeaways
- Report the injury to your employer promptly — delay jeopardizes benefits.
- Comp does not compensate pain, suffering, or full wage loss.
- Third-party claims exist against vendors, drivers, property owners, and manufacturers.
What Workers' Compensation Provides
Authorized medical treatment, temporary partial or total disability benefits, impairment benefits, and in fatal cases limited death benefits. Care is directed by the carrier, which is why disputes over authorization and independent medical examinations are common.
When a Third-Party Claim Exists
Examples include a delivery driver injured by a negligent motorist, a technician hurt by a defective machine, a nurse assaulted where security was inadequate, and a contractor injured by another trade's hazard. These claims proceed in civil court alongside the comp file.
Coordinating Both Cases
Statements, medical opinions, and return-to-work determinations in the comp case affect the civil case. Coordinating the two — and negotiating the comp lien at the end — protects the net recovery.