Were you hurt while at work in Port St. Lucie, FL? If so, a Port St. Lucie workplace accident lawyer may be able to help.
The lawyers at Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Stuart have over 40 years of combined experience helping workplace accident victims recover compensation. We also helped injured victims involving catastrophic injuries, Port St. Lucie slips and falls, brain injuries, wrongful death, and more.
This includes payment for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to the accident or injury.
Our Port St. Lucie workplace accident attorneys are passionate about holding employers accountable for negligence and for supporting injured employees.
There’s no reason that you need to stand up to a powerful employer alone. Call our office to set up a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you at (772) 247-3374.
How Can Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Stuart Help Me After A Workplace Accident In Port St. Lucie?
Getting hurt at work can be confusing. Depending on how the accident happened, you may not know if you are responsible or if your employer is liable. Furthermore, you probably don’t want to risk souring your relationship with your boss.
However, you have rights after getting hurt at work. Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Stuart will explain and help you enforce those legal rights. Our attorneys in Port St. Lucie, Florida, have received local and national recognitions, including:
- Membership in The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- Named Florida Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- Named A Top 40 Lawyer Under the Age of 40 in Florida
- Recognized by the Florida Bar as an expert in civil personal injury law
- A “Superb” rating on Avvo, a website that rates and reviews lawyers nationwide
If you trust our law office to handle your workplace injury case, we will:
- Explain your legal rights
- Investigate the cause of the accident
- Help you file a workers’ compensation claim
- Request your medical records and understand the extent of your injury
- Negotiate with insurance companies and your employer
- File a workplace accident lawsuit, if necessary
We are proud to offer a free case evaluation so that you can get legal advice with no-strings-attached. Call our office to set up a time to speak with a Port St. Lucie personal injury lawyer today.
Workplace Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries
Workplace accidents can cause serious injuries depending on how the accident happens. Some industries are more dangerous than others. This can impact the type of injury or injuries that employees commonly experience.
We can help you recover compensation no matter the severity of your injury. In fact, we have helped clients who are suffering from:
- Back injuries
- Head injuries
- Brain injuries
- Broken or fractured bones
- Repetitive injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Crush injuries and internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations
Sometimes workplace accidents can result in death. This may happen instantaneously or after suffering from an injury for some time. We also help loved ones recover compensation after losing someone because of a workplace accident.
Common Causes Of Workplace Accidents
It’s hard to predict how you may be hurt while on the job. In fact, if we could predict how it happens, fewer people would get injured at work. The reality is that most workplace accidents are unexpected, even if they are fully preventable.
In our experience, some of the most common causes of workplace accidents are:
- Lack of safety training
- Improper safety equipment
- Slip and fall accidents
- Repetitive motions
- Physical strain
- Exposure to harmful chemicals
- Lack of employee supervision or oversight
- Dangerous conditions at work
We will find out what caused your accident so that we can get you the full compensation you deserve. This may include independently investigating the case to collect our evidence. Our lawyers aren’t afraid to do what it takes to get you the information, and the money, you need.
What Is The Value Of My Workplace Injury Case?
The value of your workplace injury case depends on the extent of your injuries. In general, the more severe your injuries, the more money that you can recover. However, that is not always the case.
People who have more serious injuries often require ongoing medical care, pharmaceuticals, and rehabilitation. Furthermore, catastrophic injuries can impact your ability to continue working and earning income. Some people will never work again. You are entitled to compensation for this impact on your life.
We must understand the full value of your case before negotiating with the employer or their insurance company. Without this estimate, you are at risk of accepting less than you deserve. One of the first steps in our representation is to calculate your damages and case value as a benchmark for the rest of the representation.
Contact us to learn more about the value of your workplace accident case.
What Damages Can I Recover After A Workplace Accident?
Damages are complicated after a workplace accident. That’s because there are two avenues to recover damages. You can seek compensation through a workplace accident lawsuit or a worker’s compensation insurance claim. However, the law limits when you can do both.
Damages Available Through Florida Workers’ Compensation Law
After getting hurt at work, the first step is almost always to file a Florida workers’ compensation claim.
This set of laws is designed specifically to protect people who are hurt while on the job. These claims are guaranteed in most circumstances, but they also involve waiving your right to ask for further damages through the courts.
Workers’ compensation benefits will pay for:
- Reasonable and necessary medical expenses
- Disability benefits (compensation for total, partial, or permanent disability)
- Death benefits in a wrongful death case
Disability benefits often include lost wages, but not in the full amount that you would have earned otherwise. In most cases, it is two-thirds of your wages up to a maximum weekly rate. While this is better than nothing, it can leave someone in a worse position and unable to progress in their career.
Who Can File A Workplace Accident Lawsuit?
Usually, you can only file a workplace accident lawsuit if a third party caused your injury at work. For example, if you are a delivery person and a negligent driver hits you while you are working, you can sue the negligent driver. Or, if an employee assaults you at work, you may be able to sue the employee as a third party directly.
Damages Available In Workplace Accident Lawsuits
If you are successful in your third-party workplace accident lawsuit, then you can recover economic damages (like your medical bills) and non-economic damages. This includes payment for:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement
- Loss of companionship
The only way to recover non-economic damages after a workplace accident is through a third-party claim.
What Happens If I Am Blamed For A Workplace Accident In Florida?
The benefit of workers’ compensation laws is that you can recover money even if you are responsible for causing the accident. It is considered a no-fault system and that is how they can guarantee benefits in most cases. This is one of the best parts of the workers’ compensation system.
This is different from the regular personal injury law system. Under the modified comparative fault law in Florida, you can only recover compensation if you are less than 51% responsible for causing the accident. If you are more than 50% responsible, you can’t recover any compensation at all.
How Long Do I Have To File A Claim After A Workplace Accident In Florida?
To be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, you need to notify your employer of the injury within 30 days. If you wait too long, your claim could be denied. Your employer will then report your injury to their insurance company within seven days.
Most people receive their first workers’ compensation check within 21 days of reporting the injury. This is a fairly fast process which is the main benefit of workers’ compensation laws.
If you are filing a third-party claim, you have two years from the date of the accident or the date that you discovered the injury. This is not a long time. If you miss the deadline, your case will be dismissed.
It is important to hire a lawyer to help you keep track of deadlines so that you don’t lose your right to seek payment.
Call A Port St. Lucie Workplace Accident Lawyer For A Free Consultation
Workers’ compensation laws can be confusing. It can also be a headache to negotiate with insurance companies, especially when you are focusing on healing. A Port St. Lucie workplace accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and navigate the process. If it comes to filing a lawsuit, they will represent you at each step of the call.
Call Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Stuart to set up a time to learn more about your legal options. There’s no risk in exploring your rights and getting information so that you can make the best decision after getting hurt on the job.
