Workers Compensation Lawyer
Serving West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Lake Worth and the Port St. Lucie area
Workers' Compensation Questions
What is Workers' Compensation?
Workers' compensation is a state-mandated employee insurance program that provides compensation for job-related injuries and illnesses. Each state maintains its own workers’ compensation laws and programs to assist employees with work-related illness or injury costs. Generally, benefits are available regardless of who caused the illness or injury. However, in most cases, the employee must agree not to sue the employer for damages in order to take advantage of Workers’ Compensation benefits. In some cases, personal injury laws may also apply. In the state of Florida, injured employees who wish to file a claim for Workers’ Compensation insurance contact The Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Who is responsible for paying Workers' Compensation benefits?
All non-federal employers are required to purchase Workers’ Compensation insurance from an insurance carrier to protect its employees. State laws vary somewhat; however, in general, small companies with less than three or four employees are not required to purchase Workers' Compensation insurance, while larger companies may “self-insure,” acting as their own insurance company. When a worker is injured, he or she files a claim with the insurance carrier or self-insured employer and is paid benefits based upon a state-approved formula.
Are all job injuries covered by Workers' Compensation?
No. While Workers' Compensation insurance will provide benefits to an injured employee, regardless of who is at fault, there are some limits. Employees who are intoxicated or using illegal drugs at the time of their injury may not be eligible. Other types of injuries that may be denied include injuries that are:
- Self-inflicted
- Suffered during the commission of a crime
- Occurring while off the job (some exceptions apply)
- A violation of company policy
What types of occupations are not covered by Workers’ Compensation?
- Business owners
- Independent contractors
- Casual employees
- Domestics working in private homes
- Farm workers
- Maritime employees
- Railroad workers
- Unpaid volunteers
- Federal government employees (they receive workers' compensation benefits under separate federal law.)
Does Workers' Compensation cover accidents and injuries only?
Some injuries are not accidents. For example, repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome are job-related injuries not caused by an accident but still covered under Workers’ Compensation. Other types of job-related illnesses include back problems, heart conditions, lung disease, and digestive problems related to stress.
Does Workers' Compensation cover only injuries that happen at work?
No. For example, a salesperson traveling on behalf of the company is covered for travel-related injuries. An employee sent on a work-related errand is covered if an injury occurs while out of the office. An injury occurring during your attendance at a business-related social function is likely also covered by Workers’ Compensation. There are many other examples of coverage for injuries that do not occur at the main place of business.
Workers Compensation Attorney in West Palm Beach, Craig Goldenfarb has helped thousands of Floridians get the compensation they deserve by referring cases to a competent Florida workers’ compensation law firm who can assist you. Please contact workers compensation lawyer, Craig Goldenfarb today. Proudly serving West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, and Port St. Lucie, Florida.
1-800-GOLD-LAW | GOLD-LAW
OFFICE LOCATION: 2090 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. Suite 402
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
1-800-GOLD-LAW
Call Toll Free 1-800-GOLD-LAW (465-3529)
The reader’s understanding of the information on this website about personal injury law does not constitute a formal legal relationship with the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. Please do not assume this content to be formal legal advice. If you would like to know if you have a valid personal injury case, please contact our Workers Compensation Lawyer in West Palm Beach, Florida at the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. today for a complimentary consultation regarding personal injury law in Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Port St. Lucie and Palm Beach County, Florida.
1-800-GOLD-LAW | GOLD-LAW