Workers' Compensation Injuries

Florida ranks as one of the most dangerous States for on the job injuries. Poor training of employees and improper or inadequate safety procedures are among the reasons. Florida construction and roofing accidents are very numerous and often serious. Randy Zeldin is an experienced construction accident attorney in Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Florida.

An injury means a physical injury or a psychiatric problem which results from the physical injury. A psychiatric problem not connected to a physical injury won't get workers' compensation coverage. But an injured worker, who has depression because of an injury, can get psychiatric care.

Following are the types of Basic Medical Benefits which are required under the Florida Workers’ Compensation law:

• Diagnostic Testing: This kind of care is not for treatment itself, but is intended to diagnose the condition that an injured worker is suffering from. Diagnostic testing is required to be provided to show if a questionably related condition is a consequence of the workers’ compensation accident.
• Remedial Care: This refers to care intended to “heal” the injured worker up to the moment in treatment, when further improvement is not reasonably anticipated (known as “maximum medical improvement”).
• Palliative Care: This is care which occurs after an injured has reached “maximum medical improvement” and assists in maintaining comfort and activity (e.g. physical therapy). Palliative treatment can be life long.
Chiropractic Treatment: Generally, this is limited by statute for short duration.
• Prosthetic Devices: These can include artificial limbs; hearing aids; glasses; orthotic shoes and other instrumentation.

Generally, the furnishing of medical care “tolls” the statute of limitation for one year from the date of the provision of such care. Therefore, it is crucial that an injured worker receive actual medical care from an authorized physician or caregiver, at least annually.

Common workers' compensation injures are as follows:

• Orthopedic injuries - knee and shoulder tears; back and neck herniations and sprains.
• Neurological injuries - nerve root impingement from back and neck injuries.
• Brain injuries - from falls or electrical injuries or other trauma.
• Spinal cord injuries/paralysis - often from falls or car accidents.
• Burn injuries - usually chemical or electrical. Amputation - often construction related.
• Heart attacks, heart disease and hypertension - are always workers' compensation injuries for Florida firefighters and police.

Randy Zeldin represents firefighters and police officers in specialized heart related workers' compensation claims under Florida's "Heart and Lung Bill."

Many times an injury is caused by the negligence of another person or corporation. For example, a defective tool such as a drill or ladder may have caused your injury. Sometimes the injury may be caused by the negligence of another, such as a drunk driver or a careless contractor on the job site. Boca Raton workers' compensation attorney Randy Zeldin will analyze your case to determine if a personal injury claim can be successfully brought on your behalf.

If you have been injured on the job, you may have a valid workers' compensation claim. Please contact Randy Zeldin for a free case review.