How Long Until I Receive Compensation After a Tampa Workplace Accident?
Injured workers often face difficult timelines. When you’re struggling with serious injuries and the medical bills continue to pile up, you need compensation fast. How long will you have to wait? How are you going to pay your living expenses while you’re unable to work? These are common questions that you should never have to ask. If your employer or insurer is delaying payment, you might want to speak with a Tampa workers’ compensation lawyer.
You Should Receive Wage Benefits on the Eighth Day
According to the workers’ compensation system in Florida, you should receive compensation for lost wages on the eighth day after your accident (assuming you miss eight days of work). You might not receive compensation for the first seven days of missed work, and you might want to consider alternative forms of compensation. This might include Social Security or employer-based benefits.
If your injury prevents you from going to work for more than 21 days, you will receive compensation for your first seven days of missed work. The key takeaway is that you shouldn’t have to wait more than a week for your first set of wage benefits.
You Should Receive Compensation for Medical Bills Immediately
According to Florida’s workers’ compensation program, an injured worker does not have to pay any medical bills out of their own pocket. Instead, your medical providers should send your bills directly to your employer’s insurance provider. The insurance company then pays your bills for you, so you should not be prevented from accessing medical treatment at any point during your recovery.
The 120-Day Rule
Insurers generally pay benefits immediately before fully investigating claims. They have 120 days to investigate workers’ comp claims, and they could potentially deny your benefits even after you have received them. If you receive a denial letter, there is a very real possibility you’ll have to pay back everything you’ve already received. Of course, you can appeal your denied claim with help from a workers’ comp lawyer.
The Importance of Waiting Until Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)
While you might feel desperate to receive enough compensation to cover your injuries, it could be worth waiting until your maximum medical improvement (MMI). Your MMI is exactly what it sounds like: The point in time when your injuries stop improving. If you wait until your MMI, you will have a more accurate sense of your long-term consequences. Accept a settlement too early, and it might not cover various complications and issues that are not clear until later.
Can a Tampa Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Help Me?
If you are experiencing unreasonable delays after filing a workers’ comp claim in Tampa, you might want to contact an experienced attorney. You should not have to wait very long before receiving compensation for missed earnings and your initial medical bills. These financial pressures can take a real toll, especially if you’re already struggling with severe physical injuries. Contact The Franco Law Firm today to learn more about your options.
Source:
myfloridacfo.com/division/wc/employee/injured-worker-faqs
