Tampa Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Workplace accidents can happen in an instant, turning your life upside down with healthcare treatments and costs, lost wages, and uncertainty about your future. Whether you’ve suffered a back injury from lifting heavy equipment, a fall from scaffolding, or developed a repetitive stress injury from years of physical labor, you deserve compensation for your workplace injury.
If you’ve been hurt on the job in Tampa, don’t face the insurance companies alone. Call Smith Feddeler & Smith, P.A. at (863) 688-7766 to schedule a free consultation with a reputable Tampa workers’ compensation lawyer who will fight for the benefits you deserve.
Why Choose Smith Feddeler & Smith, P.A. to Maximize Your Tampa Workers’ Compensation?
Our law firm brings over five decades of combined experience, backed by a long-standing history of helping injured workers across Florida. We understand how devastating a workplace accident can be, which is why we dedicate ourselves to representing injured individuals and their families—never insurance companies. Your recovery and financial security are our top priorities, and we have the track record to prove it.
What Benefits Does Workers’ Compensation Cover in Florida?
Florida’s workers’ compensation system offers a range of benefits to support injured workers throughout their recovery, as well as future needs. The benefits you may qualify for depend on the type and severity of your injury and how it impacts your ability to work. We guide you through the process to make sure you receive every benefit you are entitled to under the law, leaving nothing to chance.
Medical Benefits
In Florida, workers’ compensation covers all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your work injury, with no out-of-pocket costs to you. You have the right to receive quality care for as long as your condition requires, including any future treatments that may become necessary. Coverage goes beyond emergency care to include ongoing treatment that supports your full recovery:
- Emergency room visits and hospitalization.
- Doctor appointments and specialist consultations.
- Surgeries and medical procedures.
- Physical and occupational therapy.
- Prostheses and rehabilitation services.
- Diagnostic tests and imaging.
- Attendant care for severe injuries.
- Prescription medications.
- Medical equipment and assistive devices.
- Transportation to medical appointments.
- Home healthcare services.
The insurance company may try to limit your treatment or push you toward their preferred doctors, but you have rights regarding your medical care. We advocate for your access to the best possible treatment, ensuring the insurance company doesn’t cut corners with your health. Cost-cutting measures should never compromise your recovery.
Temporary Partial Disability
If you can return to work but only in a limited capacity or for reduced hours, temporary partial disability benefits help make up the difference in your earnings. You’ll receive two-thirds of the difference between your pre-injury and post-injury wages, up to the statutory maximum. Our Tampa workers’ compensation lawyer team helps document your wage loss accurately to maximize these benefits.
Temporary Total Disability
When your injury prevents you from working entirely during your recovery, temporary total disability benefits replace two-thirds of your average weekly wage. These payments continue until you return to work or reach Maximum Medical Improvement, whichever comes first. We fight to ensure you receive the full amount you’re entitled to without delays or interruptions.
Permanent Impairment
When your injury results in permanent limitations but doesn’t entirely prevent you from working, you may be eligible for permanent impairment benefits based on your disability rating. The amount and duration of these benefits depend on your impairment rating assigned by medical professionals after you reach Maximum Medical Improvement.
We work with medical experts to ensure your impairment is evaluated correctly and rated. These benefits help compensate for the lasting effects on your ability to work and maintain your quality of life.
- Compensation for loss of bodily function: You receive benefits when an injury permanently affects your ability to use a body part, even if you can still work. The compensation reflects the percentage of function lost and its impact on your daily life.
- Benefits based on impairment rating percentage: Your doctor assigns an impairment rating that determines your benefit amount and duration. Higher ratings result in more weeks of compensation at two-thirds of your average weekly wage.
- Additional compensation for specific body parts: Florida law provides scheduled benefits for injuries to specific body parts like hands, arms, legs, and feet. Each body part has a predetermined number of weeks of benefits based on the severity of impairment.
- Potential for lump-sum settlements: Rather than receiving weekly payments, you may negotiate a one-time settlement for your permanent impairment benefits. We help evaluate whether a lump sum serves your best interests and negotiate the highest possible amount.
- Ongoing medical care coverage: Your right to medical treatment continues even after impairment benefits end. The insurance company must cover future medical care related to your work injury for life.
Insurance companies often dispute impairment ratings or try to minimize the severity of permanent injuries. Our Tampa workers’ compensation attorneys challenge inadequate ratings and fight for fair compensation that reflects the true and lasting impact of your injury. Your permanent limitations deserve proper recognition and compensation.
Permanent Total Disability
Workers who can no longer engage in any substantial gainful employment due to their injuries may qualify for permanent total disability benefits. These benefits provide ongoing support when returning to any type of work becomes impossible. Florida law recognizes certain conditions as automatically qualifying for these benefits:
- Paralysis of both arms, both legs, one of each, or the trunk.
- Amputation of hands, arms, legs, and feet.
- Total loss of sight in both eyes.
- Severe brain injuries.
- Second or third-degree burns over significant body areas.
Even if your condition doesn’t appear on the statutory list, you may still qualify if you can demonstrate total disability. We build strong cases showing how your injuries prevent you from performing any meaningful work. Your inability to support yourself deserves comprehensive, long-term compensation.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Job Training
When your workplace injury prevents you from returning to your previous job but doesn’t result in total disability, vocational rehabilitation benefits help you develop new skills for alternative employment. To help you transition to suitable work within your physical limitations, these programs provide:
- Vocational assessments.
- Education.
- Training.
- Job placement and support.
- Assistive technology.
- Benefits counseling.
At Smith Feddeler & Smith, P.A., our team ensures you receive appropriate vocational support that genuinely prepares you for meaningful employment opportunities. You shouldn’t absorb these costs after being injured in a workplace accident, and we fight to recover your losses.
Death Benefits
When workplace accidents result in death, surviving family members may receive death benefits, including funeral expenses and ongoing financial support. Spouses and dependent children can receive a portion of what the deceased worker would have earned, providing economic stability during a challenging time. We handle these sensitive cases with compassion while aggressively pursuing full benefits for grieving families.
Your Dedicated Workers’ Comp Law Firm
Smith Feddeler & Smith has spent decades representing workers in Tampa and throughout Central Florida. Whether you suffered a forklift injury in a warehouse, developed PTSD after a traumatic emergency call, or sustained repetitive stress injuries as a teacher or bus driver, we have the experience and determination to fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Know Your Rights to Florida Workers’ Compensation
Florida’s workers’ compensation law provides medical care and wage replacement for employees who are injured or become ill due to their job. It covers most work-related injuries, regardless of who was at fault.
Benefits may include:
- Medical treatment for your injury or illness
- Temporary partial or total disability benefits
- Permanent impairment benefits
- Vocational rehabilitation if you cannot return to your previous job
- Death benefits for families who have lost a loved one due to a workplace injury
However, obtaining these benefits isn’t always easy. Employers and insurance companies may delay, underpay, or deny valid claims. That’s where an experienced Tampa workers’ compensation lawyer from our firm can make a difference.
We Represent Injured Workers in All Industries
Injuries can happen anywhere, from construction sites and emergency rooms to classrooms and public transit. Our Tampa workers’ compensation attorneys have represented clients in a wide variety of occupations and understand the specific risks and workers’ comp challenges each job presents.
Warehouse and Forklift Injuries
Warehouse employees often face serious hazards: heavy lifting, slippery floors, falling objects, and machinery accidents. Forklift injuries are especially common and can lead to broken bones, back injuries, crush injuries, or even fatalities. Employers must ensure proper training and safe equipment, but when accidents happen, workers must be protected.
Construction Accidents
Tampa’s booming development has led to more construction jobs and an increase in job site injuries. Falls from heights, electrocution, crane accidents, trench collapses, and tool-related injuries are just a few of the dangers construction workers face daily. Florida’s workers’ compensation system should support you, but we can help ensure it actually does.
Healthcare and Nursing Injuries
Nurses, aides, and hospital workers are frequently injured while lifting patients, working long shifts, or handling needles and hazardous substances. Common injuries include sprains, needlestick injuries, back strain, and exposure to infectious diseases. We fight for the benefits healthcare workers deserve, including coverage for long-term or chronic injuries.
First Responders and PTSD
Police officers, firefighters, and EMTs face life-threatening situations every day. Florida law provides special protections for first responders, including coverage for PTSD under certain conditions. Our team understands the physical and psychological toll of these roles and works diligently to get you the medical and wage benefits you need.
Educators and School Staff
Teachers, janitors, and school administrators may experience injuries related to falls, violent incidents, or repetitive strain. Spending long hours on your feet and dealing with challenging environments can lead to lasting injuries. Don’t let your dedication to your students cost you your health; get legal help to access the support you need.
Bus Drivers and Transit Workers
Driving for long hours exposes bus drivers and other public transit employees to unique risks, including crashes, repetitive stress injuries, and assaults. If you were injured on your route or during your shift, you may qualify for workers’ compensation, even if the accident involved another driver.
Plumbers, Landscapers, and Utility Workers
Manual laborers often deal with heavy tools, outdoor hazards, and unsafe environments. Whether you twisted your back digging trenches or suffered a heat-related illness while working in the Tampa sun, we are ready to hold employers and insurers accountable for the full benefits owed.
Road Crews and Municipal Workers
Public employees who maintain roads and utilities are often overlooked, yet they’re some of the most at-risk workers on the job. If you were struck by a car in a work zone, exposed to toxic materials, or injured by heavy equipment, we’re here to help protect your future.
Common Work-Related Injuries We Handle
Our Tampa workers’ compensation lawyers assist clients dealing with a wide range of injuries, including:
- Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Broken bones and crush injuries
- Burns and chemical exposures
- Repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel
- Respiratory conditions from toxic exposure
- PTSD and other psychological trauma
- Occupational illnesses and diseases
Even if your injury didn’t involve a dramatic accident, you may still be eligible for benefits. For example, gradual injuries caused by long-term overuse or stress often qualify under Florida law. Our Tampa workers’ compensation attorneys can help evaluate your situation and determine the best path forward.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Workers’ Compensation in Tampa, Florida?
Under Florida Statute § 440.19, you generally have two years from the date of your workplace injuries to file your workers’ compensation claim. However, certain circumstances may affect this timeline. Our attorneys are aware of these exceptions and how to navigate them when your situation qualifies.
Time is of the essence, and missing deadlines can cost you your right to compensation entirely. At Smith Feddeler & Smith, P.A., we ensure accurate form completion and meet all legal deadlines, protecting your claim from technical dismissals that insurance companies often exploit.
Why Workers’ Compensation Claims Are Denied
Many injured workers are surprised to learn that their initial workers’ compensation claim is denied. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Employer disputes that your injury is work-related – Employers may claim that the injury happened off the clock, was self-inflicted, or resulted from horseplay or violation of company policy.
- Missed deadlines or late reporting – Florida law requires you to report a workplace injury within 30 days. If you wait too long, your claim may be automatically denied, even if it is otherwise valid.
- Incomplete or incorrect paperwork – Workers’ comp forms must be filled out completely and accurately. Missing details or inconsistencies between your report and medical records can delay or derail your claim.
- Pre-existing conditions as a reason to deny the claim – Insurance companies may argue that your injury existed before your job duties worsened it. Even if this is true, aggravation of a pre-existing condition is often still covered under Florida law.
- Lack of supporting medical documentation – If your treating physician doesn’t fully document your condition or fails to link it clearly to your job, your claim could be denied on technical grounds.
These denials can be disheartening, but they’re not the end of the road. You do not have to accept a denial. Our Tampa workers’ compensation attorneys can investigate the circumstances, gather medical records and witness statements, work closely with your doctors, and build a strong case for appeal. We’ll represent you in hearings, depositions, and negotiations with insurance adjusters to pursue the benefits you’re entitled to.
How We Appeal a Denied Tampa Workers’ Compensation Claim
Insurance companies deny valid claims every day, using technicalities and questionable interpretations of the law to avoid paying benefits. If your claim has been denied, you have the right to appeal through Florida’s workers’ compensation system, starting with a Petition for Benefits that must be filed within specific deadlines.
Our Tampa workers’ compensation attorneys know how to challenge denials effectively and present compelling evidence that overcomes the insurance company’s objections. The appeals process involves mediation and potentially a hearing before a Judge of Compensation Claims, requiring thorough preparation and strong legal advocacy.
At Smith Feddeler & Smith, P.A., we’ve successfully overturned countless denials by exposing flawed reasoning, presenting overlooked evidence, and demonstrating the true extent of our clients’ injuries and limitations. Your denied claim isn’t the end of the road—it’s often just the beginning of a fight we’re prepared to win.
Potential Avenues for Additional Compensation
Workers’ compensation isn’t always your only option for recovery after a workplace accident, and we explore every possible avenue for maximizing your compensation. Depending on the circumstances of your injury, additional claims may be available that can significantly increase your total recovery. We conduct thorough investigations to identify all potentially liable parties and insurance coverage:
- Third-party liability claims: When someone other than your employer contributed to your injury, such as an equipment manufacturer with a defective product or a negligent driver who struck you while you were working, you may pursue a separate personal injury lawsuit. These claims allow recovery for pain and suffering and other damages not available through workers’ compensation.
- Employer negligence suits: While workers’ compensation usually protects employers from lawsuits, exceptions exist—such as cases involving intentional harm or when an employer fails to carry the required workers’ compensation insurance. Florida Statute § 440.11 details the situations where this immunity does not apply, potentially allowing you to pursue additional compensation.
- Federal claims: Maritime workers, railroad employees, and federal employees often have rights under federal laws that provide different benefits than state workers’ compensation. These claims require specific knowledge and experience to pursue successfully.
- Disability benefits: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and other disability programs can offer additional support on top of your workers’ compensation benefits. We help coordinate these benefits to ensure you receive the maximum recovery possible without affecting any individual benefit.
Our long-standing history of helping injured workers means we know how to identify and pursue every potential source of compensation. We exhaust every possibility in seeking full recovery for your injuries. Your financial security matters, and we explore every option to protect it.
What to Do After a Work Injury in Tampa
If you’ve been hurt on the job, take the following steps as soon as possible to protect your health, your job, and your right to compensation:
Report the Injury
Notify your employer within 30 days, preferably in writing. This creates a formal record of the incident. Even if the injury seems minor, prompt reporting is imperative for a successful claim.
Seek Medical Attention
Florida workers’ comp law requires you to visit a doctor authorized by your employer’s insurance company. If you go to an unauthorized provider, your treatment might not be covered. Always follow the prescribed treatment plan to avoid claim denial.
Document Everything
Keep a journal of your symptoms, treatments, and time missed from work. Save copies of medical bills, prescriptions, diagnostic tests, and all communication with your employer or their insurance carrier. Accurate documentation can make or break your claim.
Contact Our Tampa Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
Early legal advice can help you avoid mistakes that jeopardize your case. A skilled Tampa workers’ compensation attorney from our firm will guide you through the process, help you understand your rights, and deal with insurance companies on your behalf, especially if your claim is denied or delayed.
Taking the proper steps after an injury not only strengthens your claim but also gives you peace of mind during a stressful time. You do not have to go through it alone; our Tampa workers’ compensation lawyers are here to help.
We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Do
At Smith Feddeler & Smith, we believe every injured worker deserves quality legal help, regardless of their financial situation. That’s why we handle workers’ compensation cases on a contingency fee basis. You won’t owe us any legal fees unless we secure benefits or compensation for you.
We Help With Third-Party Claims, Too
While workers’ compensation covers most job-related injuries, it does not provide compensation for pain and suffering. If a third party (like a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or negligent driver) was responsible for your injury, you may be able to file a separate personal injury lawsuit.
For example:
- A delivery driver hit you while you were repairing a street
- A faulty ladder collapsed on a construction site
- You were exposed to toxic chemicals due to a contractor’s mistake
Our Tampa workers’ compensation lawyers will evaluate all possible claims to maximize your recovery.
Ready to Discuss Your Florida Workers’ Compensation Claim? Contact Us Today
You don’t have to face Florida’s complex workers’ compensation system alone, especially when you’re trying to recover from a serious injury. We bring the experience, resources, and determination needed to challenge insurers and secure the benefits you deserve. We’re passionate, not quick flippers, IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL, and committed to seeing your case through to the best possible outcome.
Our long-standing history of helping injured workers in Tampa and throughout Florida means we understand what you’re going through and how to help. Every day you wait is a day the insurance company uses to build its defense against your claim. Contact Smith Feddeler & Smith, P.A. at (863) 688-7766 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Tampa workers’ compensation lawyer to determine the best course of legal action for maximizing your recovery.
Visit Our Tampa Personal Injury Law Office
Smith, Feddeler & Smith, P.A. – Tampa Office
100 S Ashley Drive Suite 600 Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 937-6334
Phone calls were returned timely. I was kept informed of my case and my questions were answered. The staff was professional, courteous, concerned and caring. Overall my experience with this law firm was good and I would recommend them to a friend.
- Rhonda D.
Keep up the good work!
- Thomas B.Everyone who I had the pleasure in talking to or email correspondence has been great and professional. Thank you all for the good service.
- Elixsandra F.Everyone in the office was always helpful and did everything to help up on the case.
- Thomas D.I appreciate all the work you all did. I will recommended Brad Smith and Smith, Feddeler & Smith to anyone who is looking for good legal help.
- Robert S.I would like to thank Mr. Feddeler and the Law Firm for their help in my workers; compensation case. I want to especially thank Julie for being such a special lady and for have such a patient and wonderful personality and manners. She kept me informed of what was going on and answered all my questions when I needed them.
- Stanley E.I am thankful with the firm and staff for always being so courteous and helpful with my case and with me. You guys helped me every step of the way and I am glad I chose your firm to represent me. Thank you for all you do!
- A Montalvo.Everyone that was involved with my case was awesome! No complaints. Hope I never need to get a lawyer again, but if I did I would choose this Law Firm. So thank you!
- Juanita B.I was bit by a Pit Bull in the face in May of 2016. The injuries I suffered was a fractures nose and teeth marks to the nose and under my lip. I chose Smith, Feddeler because they had a great reputation on line. They were very compassionate, very sympathetic and very respectful of the situation I was going through. The attorney was very sincere and staff always responsive and available when I needed. I would definitely recommend Smith, Feddeler & Smith. Kevin Balentine was very helpful and efficient.
- Lauren M.If you ever want a good attorney who is going to fight and advocate for injured workers and knows the law of workers’ comp in the State of Florida, please contact Brad at Smith, Feddeler & Smith. I assure you they will fight for your rights and you will come out victorious, and you will be able to tell somebody else like I’m telling you.
- Ricky B.Contact Us For A Free Consultation With A Qualified Lawyer
