Fighting for the Rights
of Injured Workers for
Over 35 Years.
of Injured Workers for
Over 35 Years.
Auto Accidents
Auto accidents are among the top ten causes of death of people of all ages and the leading cause of death of people ages 5 to 34 across the United States. In 2012 alone there were 17,862 deaths attributed to car accidents in Florida. When these accidents happen, it is likely attributable to negligent driving which includes drag racing, talking or texting while driving, falling asleep while driving, drunk driving, declining to slow down or yield, failure to use turn signals, and violations of other traffic laws.
In workers’ compensation, if you are involved in an automobile, bus, or truck accident while in the course and scope of your employment, worker’s compensation will be responsible for providing compensation. Worker’s compensation is applicable if you were acting within the scope of your employment at the time of the accident. This includes acting on behalf of your employer, travelling to and from an event sponsored by your employer, or anything else that can be connected with your employment. If you are involved in an auto accident while working, worker’s compensation will be responsible for providing medical benefits and compensation for lost wages. Automobile accidents can be the result of multiple factors, and while many parties may be to blame, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system that provides benefits to people who are injured while working, whether the accident was their fault or not. Medical benefits include hospitalization, medical tests, doctor’s visits, prescription drugs, physical therapy, prostheses, and reimbursement for travel to the doctor’s office and pharmacy. Lost wages includes temporary disability benefits, impairment benefits, and death benefits. The two types of potential temporary disability benefits available are temporary total disability and temporary partial disability. Temporary total disability is applicable when the doctor says you cannot work at all due to the work-related injury. Temporary partial disability is applicable when the doctor says you may work, but places restrictions on what you can do.
If you are involved in an auto accident and the cause of the accident was brought on by the negligence of someone outside of your employment, there may be additional remedies to you in civil court besides the worker’s compensation benefits. Your lawyer can give you advice on whether this situation applies in your particular circumstance.
If you have been involved or injured in an automobile accident at work, please contact us today. We understand that it is not always clear whether your claim is viable, and there are many factors you may not be aware of in deciding how to move forward after your accident. It is extremely important to know your rights, responsibilities and what benefits you may be entitled to if you were involved in an accident on the job. Our firm understands the many aspects of workers compensation injuries. Our team of attorneys and paralegals are committed to achieving our clients’ goals and protecting their rights. We will work diligently to build a strong case on your behalf. Call today for a free initial consultation at (305)539-9000.
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