If you suffer an injury at work in Florida, you need to report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. Failing to report your injury within 30 days of the incident may bar you from receiving compensation.
But as theDivision of Workers’ Compensation reports, state law requires your employer to also report your injury to the insurance company.
Your employer’s responsibility
Under the law, your employer must report your injury to the insurance company within seven days after learning about it. He or she should provide a full report of the incident to the insurance company, and he or she must also provide you with a copy of this report.
The insurance company, after receiving this notice, then has three days to send you information about your rights and responsibilities under Florida workers’ compensation law.
Your rights
If your employer fails to report your injury to the insurance company in a timely manner, you have the right to take matters into your own hands. You may reach out to the insurance company yourself to report your injury.
Your report should contain at least your name, social security number, address, contact information and occupation. It should also contain your employer’s name, address and general business information.
When reporting the injury, include all relevant and specific details about the incident. Report the date and time and location of the accident and explain exactly what happened and what injury it caused.
If you have already sought medical attention, you may want to include additional details. You may reach out to the Employment Assistance Office for help when making this report.
Timely reporting is critical to protecting your workers’ compensation benefits. If your employer fails to report your injury or you encounter delays with your claim, the attorneys at Smith, Feddeler & Smith, P.A. can help you take the right steps to protect your rights. Contact us today at (863) 688-7766 for a free consultation and trusted guidance with your workers’ compensation case.
