subject: Situations Where You Need A Fort Lauderdale Work Injury Attorney [print this page] Many people are afraid to file a Workers' Compensation claim after they are hurt in the workplace. The most common injuries to workers include slipping / falling injuries and lifting injuries, but you can also make a claim if you develop repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. A Fort Lauderdale Work Comp lawyer can advise you about reporting your injury and what your options are with regard to your employer's Workers' Comp insurer. Your employer is not allowed to retaliate against you after you file a claim, and if they do they can be legally compelled to compensate you.
When You are Fired After Filing a Workers' Comp Claim
If you file a Workers' Comp claim and are fired, you may be the victim of what is called retaliatory discharge. This is illegal, and your employer can be held accountable. If this happens to you, you should call a Fort Lauderdale Work Comp lawyer right away. You should also call if your employer takes other retaliatory action against you, such as abruptly cutting your hours, or even taking actions against any family member of yours who may work for the same employer.
When You're Injured in a Construction Accident
Did you know that every year, over 70,000 work accidents are reported in Florida? Sometimes these accidents are unavoidable, but in some cases they can result from construction companies cutting corners with safety or hurrying to meet a construction deadline. Either way, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries under Florida's Workers' Compensation laws. Unfortunately, many employers don't take kindly to having to file a Workers' Comp claim, and in some cases they may refuse to file a claim altogether. When this happens you need the assistance of a Fort Lauderdale work injury attorney.
When You're Hurt in a Longshore Accident
South Florida is home to several busy seaports, and longshoremen work physically demanding jobs every day to ensure that products are delivered to where they need to go. These jobs are dangerous, and longshoremen are covered for work injuries under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA). If you are hurt on your job as a longshoreman, you should strongly consider contacting a Fort Lauderdale injury lawyer. You need to know your rights under the LHWCA and how to protect them so you can heal and get back to work as soon as possible.
When You Want to Make Sure Your Rights Are Protected
After several years of a very tight job market, many South Floridians feel like they're lucky to have a job at all. But this doesn't mean that you have to put up with illegal actions on the part of your employer. If you're hurt in the workplace, you have rights that are clearly spelled out, and employers can be held accountable if they don't abide by the laws covering you. Contacting a Fort Lauderdale work injury lawyer is a smart idea when you are hurt at work and need to navigate the Workers' Comp process.