If you have been injured on a construction site in Lakeland, Florida, it is crucial that you find legal representation as soon as possible. If the accident was due to another person’s negligence or carelessness, you might be entitled to compensation.
Have you recently been injured on a job site and aren’t sure where to begin? If so, you’ve come to the right place. This construction accident lawyer in Lakeland, Florida is going to discuss some of the key things you should know below.
What steps should I take after a construction injury?
After you have taken care of your health, it is time to take care of your financial future. Here’s what you should do right after your accident:
- Seek medical care.
- Report the injury to your employer.
- Fill out a workplace injury report.
- Ask witnesses for their information so you can get names and contact info.
- Try to take pictures that show how serious your injuries are (if possible) or any other evidence that could be helpful later.
- Start putting together an inventory of medical documents related to your injuries — and keep everything organized.
- Submit your claim for workers’ compensation benefits.
- Retain a knowledgeable construction accident attorney in Lakeland, Florida who can guide you through the intricacies of filing a claim in Florida.
Am I entitled to workers’ compensation in Florida?
The answer to this question, of course, depends on your employment status. Independent contractors are not entitled to workers’ compensation benefits in Florida. On the other hand, salaried employees of companies that regularly employ five or more people are usually covered by workers’ compensation insurance.
Furthermore, employers who regularly contract out work — as is common in construction — must also provide coverage for their independent contractors (who are essentially regular employees). This means that if you are injured while working for one employer but are technically employed by another, you may still be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
Workers’ compensation will pay for your rehabilitation or retraining after an accident. However, it will only cover your injuries so long as they happened while doing a job-related task and were not caused by something like drug use or reckless behavior (like texting while driving). If you would like help filing your workers’ compensation claim, your construction accident lawyer in Lakeland, Florida can assist you.
Can I file a third-party claim in Florida?
Under Florida’s Workers’ Compensation law, an injured worker is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if they suffered an injury while working and were covered by Florida’s workers’ compensation insurance program.
While your employer pays for workers’ compensation benefits, you may be able to file a third-party claim against a third party who was responsible for your injury. For example, if you were hurt when you slipped on water leaking from a faulty refrigerator at work, you could file a third-party claim against your company for failing to provide safe working conditions.
Remember that you can only file a third-party claim in Florida if you can prove negligence on someone else’s part. Therefore, the best course of action is to hire an experienced construction accident lawyer in Lakeland, Florida as soon as possible after your accident. Your attorney can help you gather evidence and documentation of any third-party negligent actions that led to your injuries so that you can make a strong claim against another party if necessary.
Looking for the Top-Rated Construction Accident Lawyer in Lakeland, Florida?
Have you or a loved one been injured at a construction site in the Lakeland area due to someone else’s negligence? If so, and if you’re looking for the top-rated construction accident lawyer in Lakeland, Florida, Tonya Stewart Law PA is here to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. Contact our office today at (863) 279-4473 to schedule a consultation with Tonya Stewart.