Pensacola Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

Advocating for Injured Workers for More Than 80 Years

The state of Florida grants nearly all workers the right to receive workers’ compensation benefits after being injured on the job. In these claims, you do not have to establish liability — you must only prove that your injury occurred while you were on the clock and carrying out work-related tasks. Sadly, the workers’ comp claims process can be rife with bureaucratic barriers and red tape and, therefore, difficult to navigate when you are unfamiliar with it.

Don’t let yourself lose out on the benefits you need to stay afloat. At Michles & Booth, we help our clients sail through the turbulent waters of the claims process with ease. When you work with us, we’ll take care of the brunt work, leaving you to focus on recovering your health.

Call (850) 779-1188 to schedule a free consultation with a Pensacola lawyer.

What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?

Many people mistakenly believe that workers’ comp is paid out in the form of their full salary.In reality, it covers a portion of their salary in the form of one of the following benefits:

• Temporary total disability benefits: If a work injury requires a person to take time off work, then they may qualify for temporary total disability benefits in the form of two-thirds of their average weekly wage or no more than $1,011. (Please note: The Bureau of Monitoring and Audit Statistics updates this maximum every year.) In the event of a severe injury, such as paralysis, they could be entitled to up to 80% of their average weekly wage, and there is no maximum governing how much this may amount to.
• Permanent impairment benefits: Unfortunately, a temporary disability may lead to a long-term reduction in function, or an impairment. A doctor will assign the injured worker an impairment rating using a schedule and calculate for how long their impairment can be expected to last. Typically, they will receive 75% of their temporary total disability benefits until they have recovered.
• Permanent total disability benefits: This benefit is paid out to workers until they are 75 years old or older, depending on whether they qualify for social security benefits, if their injury (e.g. a traumatic brain injury) causes them to become permanently disabled and unable to work even sedentary jobs.
• Death benefits: Should a worker suffer a wrongful death due to a work injury, their dependents (surviving spouses, children, or other relatives) may qualify for death benefits worth no more than $150,000 or two-thirds of the decedent’s average weekly wage. Monies for funeral and burial expenses may also be included.

There are a couple of additional workers’ comp benefits for which injured workers may qualify:

• Medical benefits: This benefit is paid out to cover medical expenses, such as medical tests, hospital bills, the cost of short- or long-term disability accommodations, etc.
• Vocation rehabilitation: A worker whose injury has rendered them unable to work in their previous chosen career path may qualify for vocational rehabilitation to help them find a new career. This benefit may cover vocational counseling, training, and the like.

Often, Pensacola workers only have 30 days to report a work injury to their employer and two years to file a workers’ comp claim. To learn more about these benefits and determine whether you may qualify for any of them, please visit our statewide Workers’ Compensation Benefits page.

Can I Sue if I Accept Workers’ Compensation?

As mentioned, you cannot file both a claim for workers’ comp and sue your employer through the civil justice system. In fact, if your employer has a workers’ compensation insurance policy covering their employees — which they are legally required to have in Pensacola — then they are protected from work injury lawsuits barring some exceptions, such as if your employer intentionally caused you harm via assault or sexual harassment.

On the other hand, if you have reason to believe that a third party (for instance a negligent product manufacturer) was responsible for the accident, then you may be able to sue that party. It is important to point out that if you win your lawsuit, you will not be able to keep your workers’ comp benefits and will have to pay back any benefits you have been paid thus far.

Experienced Pensacola Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

Michles & Booth has an attorney team with over 80 years of collective legal experience in pursuing workers’ comp claims throughout the state. With in-house investigators, an on-staff medical doctor, and acclaimed legal professionals, our firm provides comprehensive legal services while keeping costs at a minimum for our clients’ benefit.

Work with a team that genuinely cares about you. Contact Michles & Booth’s Pensacola workers’ compensation lawyers online today.

We also help injured workers in the surrounding areas of Alabama, including those injured in Lillian, Foley, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Daphne, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, Bay Minette, Atmore, Flomaton, Brewton, or Dothan.