Workers’ compensation is an insurance program that provides financial and medical assistance to Florida employees who suffer injuries or illnesses resulting from workplace incidents. Workers are susceptible to a wide range of injuries for which workers’ compensation benefits may be available. Working in specific industries may expose you to higher risks and potential dangers. However, accidents can happen anywhere. In Florida, some of the most frequent workplace injuries result from slipping and falling, overexertion, heavy lifting, repetitive motion injuries and contact with hazardous materials. Workers may face lost wages and expensive medical bills due to workplace injuries and illnesses.
These are some of the most common injuries sustained at work and their causes:
- Slips and falls — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that each year, there are almost 8 million slip-and-fall accidents in the workplace.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome — This is a common condition caused by repetitive motion and forceful gripping and can even develop from typing for hours at a time.
- Repetitive strain injuries — A painful injury can occur when muscles and tendons become overused or stretched due to repeated motions, such as by performing the same activity too often without breaks.
- Back sprains and strains — Heavy lifting, awkward movements or trauma to the back often results in aggravated ligaments, tendons and muscles, causing pain, muscular spasms, numbness and tingling.
- Soft tissue trauma inflicted by machinery — Malfunctioning machinery and equipment can cause soft tissue trauma, leaving workers with scrapes, bruises and lacerations.
- Exposure to harmful substances — Many workplaces house harmful chemicals and other dangerous substances that can have serious impact on workers’ health.
- Overexertion — Heat and heavy lifting can lead to exhaustion and workers often push too hard to keep up with the job demands.
Injured workers may qualify for workers’ compensation if they can prove the injury happened at work or the illness arose from workplace conditions. There is no need to prove fault in order to obtain benefits.
An experienced Florida workers’ compensation attorney should be consulted as soon as possible to determine whether there is a valid claim and to ensure that all deadlines are followed. Missing a deadline could potentially bar a claim for compensation due to a work-related injury.
Vassallo, Bilotta & Davis specializes in and assists injured workers with workers’ compensation claims throughout Florida. Please call 561-471-2800 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation at our Stuart and West Palm Beach offices.
