If you get injured at work, you may sustain serious short- and long-term injuries. These injuries may affect your ability to go back to work and even to complete normal daily activities.
The workers’ compensation system can provide you with benefits that help you recover after a workplace accident. After an accident, some of the workers’ compensation benefits you can claim include medical benefits, lost wages and death benefits.
Medical benefits
According to Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, your employer must provide medical care through an insurance carrier. When you claim workers’ compensation benefits, you become eligible for physical therapy, medical tests, hospital care, prescription drugs, prostheses and other forms of medical care required to treat your workplace injuries. You can also get reimbursed for traveling to medical appointments and going to and from the pharmacy.
Lost wages
How much compensation you receive for lost wages following a workplace accident depends on the extent of your injuries. For example, you may become eligible for Temporary Total Disability, Temporary Partial Disability, Impairment Income or Permanent Total Disability benefits.
Death benefits
If you die because of a work-related injury, your family members become eligible for death benefits. Some of these benefits include coverage for funeral expenses, compensation for your dependents and education benefits for your surviving spouse.
If you get hurt while performing the duties of your job, it is imperative that you report the workplace accident to your employer as quickly as you can. You should also provide needed documentation and comply with your physician’s treatment instructions to ensure you remain eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.