Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Asbestos Exposure in Florida
Florida workers injured on the job have a right to workers’ compensation under state law. (Workers’ compensation is employer insurance that assists workers who are injured on the job with medical bills, lost wages and other related expenses.) But keep in mind that this right isn’t limited to expenses related to a one-time accident…. Read More »
Managing the Costs of Workers’ Compensation Claims and How that Helps Workers
Florida law requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. While this can be expensive for companies, the costs should not affect the care that workers receive or the compensation they are entitled to under state law. Worker safety should always be the top priority. Workers’ Compensation Premiums Florida Commissioner David Altmaier will consider… Read More »
Was Your Work Injury Sustained “in the Course and the Scope of Employment”?
Florida workers are entitled to compensation for injuries sustained on the job, but those injuries must arise “in the course and the scope of employment.” It’s not always clear what activities fall under that definition, especially when workers perform activities that are not within their job description. Much of that uncertainty has been clarified… Read More »
Dangerous Occupations in Florida
Nonfatal injuries and illnesses among U.S. workers declined between 2015 and 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But on-the-job deaths increased by 7 percent, reaching the highest number of fatalities since 2008. The most worker deaths occurred in Texas, followed by California and Florida. Nationally, truck drivers and sales worker/drivers experienced… Read More »
Death Benefits under Workers’ Compensation Law
Five maintenance workers died in June 2017 while trying to perform a dangerous task for Tampa Electric. The workers, who were employed by outside contractors, were trying to remove a blockage from a tank beneath the power plant’s boiler. The workers’ families may be entitled to death benefits under Florida’s workers’ compensation law. Tampa… Read More »
Involved in a Car Accident During Your Morning Commute – Are You Protected by Workers’ Compensation?
In 2015, there were approximately 374,522 car accidents in Florida. Of those, approximately 243,396 people suffered bodily injuries. There is a good chance some of those wrecks occurred when a Floridian was commuting to or from their job. So is this accident covered by workers’ compensation? In Florida, it depends. Coming and Going Rule… Read More »
Self-Employed and Hurt on the Job – Do You Qualify for Workers’ Compensation?
Close to 15 million workers identify themselves as self-employed, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That translates to approximately 10 percent of the overall workforce. So what happens if a self-employed individual gets hurt on the job? Can they obtain benefits through Florida’s workers’ compensation program? The answer – it depends. This… Read More »
Workers’ Compensation Claims after Hurricane Irma
The recent havoc wreaked by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma have left Texas and Florida in need of major rebuilding and repair efforts. It has also created the potential for an increase in workplace injuries and workers’ compensation claims. In West Palm Beach, Hurricane Irma’s destructive winds caused significant damage. Dozens of people had to… Read More »
Undocumented Workers Not Getting Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Florida
Florida is supposed to provide workers’ compensation benefits to all injured workers, regardless of their immigration status. But a recent NPR and ProPublica investigation found that a 2003 state law enables insurers to avoid paying lost wages and medical expenses to undocumented workers. However, in the State of Florida if you do not use… Read More »
Frequently Asked Workers’ Compensation Questions
Thousands of Florida workers are injured on the job every year, which is why anyone employed in this state should be familiar with their rights under the workers’ compensation law. Here are several frequently asked questions pertaining to employer responsibilities and workers’ rights. Note that these are not the only issues that arise under… Read More »
