Clearwater Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Did you or a loved one sustain injuries in the workplace in Clearwater, FL? Most injured workers in Florida are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. An experienced Clearwater workers’ compensation lawyer at Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight for the maximum compensation available. Call our law office today at (727) 493-4418.

Since we founded our legal practice back in 2001, we’ve helped countless injured clients recover meaningful compensation for their injuries.

Between us, we have over 119 years of experience practicing law, taking on cases like workplace injuries, Clearwater construction accidents, catastrophic injuries, dog bites, and brain injuries in Clearwater, among many others.

We can help you determine whether you’re entitled to compensation under Florida personal injury laws. If you have questions about your legal options, contact our attorneys in Clearwater, Florida, to schedule a free consultation.

How Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers Can With a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Clearwater

You may not know where to turn for help if you were injured on the job. While you’re struggling with injuries, your employer or the insurance company may challenge your right to receive the compensation you deserve. An experienced Clearwater personal injury lawyer can help you stand up and fight for what’s fair.

At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, we have decades of experience in personal injury and workers’ compensation law.

When you hire us, our lawyers will help with your claim by:

Making sure all paperwork is complete and on time
Helping you understand your obligations under workers’ comp laws
Assess the fair value of your workers’ compensation case
Determine whether you have a valid lawsuit for additional benefits
Represent you at a hearing to appeal your case if your claim is denied
Negotiate with the workers’ compensation insurance company for full compensation

Our Clearwater personal injury attorneys will do everything we can to maximize your compensation award. We know that things are tough right now. You don’t have to handle the process alone. All you have to do is call for a free case review today.

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How Common Are Work Accidents in Clearwater, FL?

Work-related injuries are extremely common in the state of Florida. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about 2.6 million Americans were injured on the job across the nation.

In Florida alone, 315 Florida workers were killed on the job in 2021.

Many people think that construction sites and manufacturing plants are the most dangerous places to work. In reality, any industry can be dangerous if conditions are unsafe. The most common reasons for work-related accidents in 2021 were transportation incidents and slips, trips, and falls.

At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of workers’ compensation claims, including those involving:

Scaffolding accidents and falls
Agricultural accidents
Motor vehicle accidents
Trucking accidents
Construction site accidents
Accidents involving heavy machinery
Fishing accidents
Landscaping
Fires and explosions
Accidents in restaurants and bars
Hotels and hospitality services
Welding accidents
Manufacturing accidents

We represent injured workers in Clearwater and across the Tampa Bay area. If you have been injured, don’t hesitate to reach out to our law firm for the legal advice you deserve today.

Am I Entitled to Benefits Under Florida Workers’ Compensation Laws?

All Florida employers who have at least four employees are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Construction employers with even one employee are required to carry workers’ comp.

If you were classified as an employee and your injuries or illness were work-related, it’s likely that you are entitled to benefits. Independent contractors, however, are not covered under workers’ comp.

What Is My Clearwater Workers’ Compensation Case Worth?

Your case value will depend on the severity of your injury or illness.

Other factors that can influence the value of your workers’ compensation benefits include:

The cost of your medical care and rehabilitation
The length of your recovery
Whether your injuries prevent you from working in any capacity
Your average weekly wages prior to suffering your disability

Typically, your wage replacement benefits will cover ⅔ of your average weekly wages prior to the disability. However, workers’ compensation benefits are also subject to a statewide cap. If you were injured on the job in 2023, the maximum weekly benefit you can receive from workers’ comp is $1,197.

What Types of Compensation Are Available to Accident Victims Under Florida Workers’ Comp Laws?

Under Florida workers’ compensation laws, the following types of benefits are available:

Medical expense benefits
Wages replacement benefits, which provide compensation for total temporary disability, total permanent disability, permanent disability, and impairment
Death benefits

The exact benefits you can receive will depend on the type of injury or illness you have suffered and how the disability impacts your ability to work.

In all cases, your medical benefits cover all reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to the injury or illness, including:

ER visits
Doctor’s visits
Medications
Hospitalization
Rehabilitation
Attendant care
Reimbursement for miles traveled to and from medical appointments

To recover full medical benefits, however, it’s important to make sure you see an approved doctor. In other words, you may not be able to visit your own doctor for treatment.

Can I Sue To Recover Additional Damages?

Workers’ compensation provides an important safety net for injured workers. On the other hand, it doesn’t cover everything.

While you cannot sue your employer for additional damages, third parties are not protected from lawsuits. If a negligent third party caused your disability, you may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit for additional damages, including:

Past and future medical expenses, if they aren’t covered by workers’ comp
Your full lost wages
Reduced earning potential
Rehabilitation
Property damage
Pain and suffering
Mental anguish
Diminished quality of life
Disfigurement
Scarring
Anxiety, depression, and PTSD
Loss of consortium

For example, you may have a valid third-party claim if your disability was caused by a negligent driver in a car accident, a manufacturer of defective work tools, or a negligent property owner who failed to maintain safe property conditions.

Can I Recover Workers’ Compensation Benefits If I’m Being Blamed for an Accident in Florida?

Florida has modified comparative fault laws, so accident victims can only recover partial compensation if they share some blame for their own injuries. They cannot recover damages if they are mostly to blame. These shared fault rules don’t apply to workers’ compensation claims. You can usually recover your full workers’ compensation benefits even if you are partly responsible for your own injuries.

We’ll Fight To Recover Full Compensation for All of Your Workplace Accident Injuries

Our lawyers help clients recover fair compensation for all of their workplace injuries, including:

Broken bones
Crushing injuries
Neck injuries
Soft tissue damage
Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Concussions
Back injuries
Organ damage
Lung damage
Repetitive stress injuries
Eye injuries
Burns
Amputations
Paralysis
Catastrophic injuries
Wrongful death of a family member

We know that money can’t fully compensate for your losses. It can help with your family’s financial security while you recover. If the insurance company is giving you the runaround or challenging your right to benefits, call our Clearwater workers’ compensation attorneys for a free case review today. We know how to help you get the full benefits you deserve.

What Are the Common Causes of Workplace Accidents in Clearwater, Florida?

Workplace accidents often happen when people cut corners or are careless.

Some of the most common causes of workplace injuries and illnesses include:

Lack of proper safety equipment
Lack of fall protection gear
Repetitive motions
Exposure to toxic substances
Faulty wiring or exposure to live electricity
Electrocution
Defective work equipment
Communication failures
Negligent hiring practices, including hiring unqualified workers
Failure to properly train and supervise workers
Negligent security
Dangerous property conditions caused by poorly maintained workspaces
Workplace violence

You deserve to know what caused your disability and who was responsible. While you don’t have to prove negligence to recover damages, you will have to identify the responsible party to file a personal injury lawsuit for additional compensation.

Can My Employer Deny My Workers’ Comp Claim?

There are some legitimate reasons why your employer or the insurance company may deny your workers’ comp claim, including:

You failed to visit an approved doctor
Your injuries were not incurred in the course of employment
Your injuries were pre-existing
You failed to meet the deadline to file a claim
Your paperwork was not complete

If your claim was denied, our lawyers in Clearwater can help you appeal. Just call Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers to learn more about how we can help today.

You should report your workplace injury or illness to your employer within 30 days. Otherwise, you risk losing your right to workers’ compensation benefits.

If you’re eligible to file a third-party claim, you have two years from the date of the accident or diagnosis to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Contact a Clearwater Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you were injured on the job, Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. To learn more about how we can help, call for a free consultation with an experienced Clearwater workers’ compensation attorney today.

Visit Our Law Office In Clearwater, FL

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyer – Clearwater
600 Bypass Dr Suite 224-D
Clearwater, FL 33764, USA
Phone: (727) 493-4418
Hours: Open 24 Hours Daily