Joe Osborne & Greg Francis, Personal Injury Lawyers & Founders of Osborne & Francis

Orlando Workers Compensation Lawyer

Workplace accidents happen all over the country every day. While many of us take the environments of our workplaces for granted, the truth is that many of these work environments come with their own hazards. While most workplace injuries are minor, some can seriously and permanently alter the lives of injured workers. Lasting disability, disfigurement, loss of ability to work, and even fatalities can occur in the workplace.

In the best of cases, workers’ compensation would cover all of the costs necessary to recover and heal from injuries in the workplace. But this does not always happen, and sometimes workers are left severely impacted with no way to recover from a serious injury. 

If you’ve been injured at work, you need to take action right away. Osborne & Francis want to help you get the compensation you deserve. We’ll fight hard to ensure that your employer’s insurer compensates you for the full extent of your injury and its impact. 

Contact the Orlando office of Osborne & Francis by phone at (561) 293-2600 or online to schedule a free case evaluation today.

Video Transcript

So you've been in a car accident. What happens next? There are many things that you should do but here are the three most important:

Number One: See a doctor immediately. 

A broken bone is easy to see, but some injuries are not. The most common injuries from car accidents happen in the neck, back, or head. The only way to diagnose and treat them is by seeing a doctor. A doctor can help ease the pain, provide medication, reassure you of how your injury may impact your daily life, and tell you what not to do to make it worse.

A visit to the doctor can also give you legally protected time off to recover and rest your body after an accident, and it documents and provides the evidence you may need for your case. Even a five-mile-per-hour car accident can cause a serious injury. So whether you've had a severe accident or a minor collision, see a doctor. And if you don't have medical insurance, let us know and we'll make sure that you receive the proper care. 

Number Two: Write everything down.

Even if it seems small, during times of stress or injury it is common to forget the little details. Make sure you keep note of the pain that you're in. With neck, back, and head injuries, sometimes simple activities such as walking up the stairs or picking up a toddler may cause severe pain. 

You may not be sleeping well at night. Documenting how much you sleep and how often you wake up due to pain is also very important. And lastly, if you have any cuts or bruises, take daily photos as you heal. This will provide visual evidence of the injuries that you've suffered. 

Number Three: Do not speak to an insurance company until you've spoken to a lawyer.

Please understand that the insurance adjuster works for a billion-dollar corporation and not for you. Their interests are solely for their insurance company, and their goal is to provide you with the least amount of financial settlement as quickly as possible. When you do speak with them, remember they will record the conversation. Why do they do this? Because they've been trained to ask questions that may confuse you. So talk to us before you talk to them. 

So remember: See a doctor, document everything, and call us before calling the insurance company for your free private consultation. We are here for you. Real tough lawyers fighting real tough issues.

What is Workers’ Compensation, and How Does it Work?

Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance policy that most employers are required to hold in the state of Florida. It works similarly to other forms of insurance: your employer is required to make monthly payments for the policy, and in the event of an injury, you can file a claim for compensation. Your employer’s insurance company will assess the circumstances and pay out compensation as they deem appropriate.

Unfortunately, sometimes insurance companies fail to see eye-to-eye with an injured worker on what necessitates compensation. This is the point where hiring an attorney may be necessary. A capable legal team can assess the full extent of necessary compensation and navigate this process to ensure an injured worker is paid in full for their injury.

Common Industries Where Work Injuries Occur

The industries where accidents most commonly occur are often those that involve specialized labor. Some of the most common industries include:

  • Logging 
  • Farming
  • Oil, Gas, and Mining
  • Roofing
  • Ironwork
  • Powerline Work
  • Construction

Many of these industries involve working around heavy machinery or potentially risky power tools. But they aren’t the only industries where workplace injuries commonly occur. Some other common industries where workplace accidents may happen can include the following:

  • Delivery Driving
  • Truck Driving 
  • Traffic Control
  • Landscaping
  • Mechanical Work
  • Maintenance Work

Though these industries may not immediately come to mind as risky, they pose dangers of their own specific to their workplaces. No matter the industry, most workplaces contain hazards, large or small. 

contact our office to speak to a lawyer.

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Common Types of Workplace Injuries

Injuries of many kinds can happen at work, but there are a few that are more common than others. Some of the most common workplace injuries include:

  • Slip and Fall accidents
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Stress and overexertion injuries
  • Repetitive motion injuries
  • Being struck or crushed by machinery
  • Chemical burns
  • Burns from fires or explosions

This list is not exhaustive, but injuries like these occur across the country every day. If you are unsure that your injury qualifies for a workers’ compensation claim, your best course of action is to schedule a case evaluation with a qualified attorney right away.

What Do I Do if My Orlando Workers Comp Claim is Denied?

Sometimes in the course of settling a workers’ compensation claim, insurance companies may deny the claim. This denial may seem very final, but there’s no need to panic or give up. Your attorney can file an appeal for your claim, requesting the court to take a second look at its validity. 

In the course of an appeal, you’ll have two years to file a “Petition of Benefits” with the insurer. The company will look over this claim and decide whether to honor the petition or file a justification for denying the claim. If your claim is denied, a mediation session will be scheduled with your attorney to attempt to negotiate a benefit payment on your behalf. This negotiation will then be brought before a judge, who will make a ruling within thirty days of the final hearing. 

What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover for Orlando, Florida Claims?

The extent of coverage from workers’ compensation can be difficult to determine in a general way. Due to the variable nature of workplace injuries, the specifics of compensation are determined by the types of benefits awarded in a claim. In Florida, the types of benefits awarded could include:

  • Temporary Disability, if you are kept from working for an extended but not permanent period of time. This typically constitutes two thirds of your weekly pay. There are exceptions and limitations based on the specifics of a claim, but this is one of the most commonly awarded benefits. 
  • Permanent Impairment, based on a doctor’s evaluation of your situation to determine if you have lost function due to an injury. You can use the Impairment Benefit Calculator to determine what these benefits may look like. 
  • Permanent Total Disability, if your injuries permanently prevent you from working. The rate of pay for these benefits is equivalent to those of temporary disability, but lasts until you are 75 years old (or longer, if you don’t qualify for Social Security benefits). 
  • Vocational Rehabilitation, if you are no longer able to continue work at your existing job. This covers training and educational costs for new jobs, vocational counseling, and placement services to ensure a new job. 
  • Medical Benefits pertaining to any costs incurred due to a workplace injury. This includes medical bills, pharmaceutical costs, travel costs, and treatment fees. 
  • Death Benefits if a workplace injury results in death. These benefits are paid to a worker’s spouse, children, or other dependent family members. This occurs in the form of a maximum of $7,500 for funeral expenses and up to $150,000 in compensation for dependents.

J. Davis

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“I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer/ firm — everything was done professionally exactly how I wanted. Due to COVID my personal attorney Mr. Garcia was still able to make things work in a timely manner and he never made me feel like he wasn’t working. Overall I’m happy with how my case turned out and I would recommend him and this law firm to anyone. 100% satisfied.”

E. Holland

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Dennis and the other Osborne & Francis staff were amazing! Our case was HUGE and required tender loving care. Everyone on our case did their part by putting all the puzzle pieces together. We were given step by step updates and put at ease when our nerves got the best of us. For every inquiry we made we received a timely response...You are appreciated!

T. Andrews

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“Attorneys Greg Francis and Ryan Fletcher at Osborne & Francis Law Firm represented me in my personal injury case.The defendant drew a line in the sand and was adamant on a settlement amount I was almost willing to accept. After the dust settled and the smoke cleared, we settled for 3 times that amount!!! When they say ‘Real Tough Lawyers,’ they mean it.”

Erica F.

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"Best personal injury attorney around, I could not be happier! I was seriously injured in a car accident and Osborne and Francis helped me through the entire process. I was blown away by how knowledgeable the staff and attorneys are at this incredible law firm. I would not hesitate to recommend this law firm to friends and family!"

C. Smith

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“I am so thankful for EVERYONE, the entire staff at Osborne & Francis Law, for mentoring me through the mediation process with my hip replacement failures. I didn't realize how MUCH pressure they relieved me of by helping me deal with the reality of this traumatic time in my life, as it was OVER so quickly with a positive result. My family is grateful to have their mom HAPPY & FOCUSED on the future, rather than worrying over what happened in the past! FAST FORWARD, we are LIVING LIFE to the fullest once again!”

Alfred

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Quick and fair resolution to a unique case. On advice of my own attorney, I engaged Joseph Osborne of Osborne & Francis of Boca Raton, FL. Mr. Osborne had considerable experience in cases such as mine and the results showed that. Mr. Osborne and his staff were very helpful, kept me up to date, and listened to my input. The settlement was very fair as far as I am concerned.

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Are Orlando Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Free?

Workers’ compensation attorneys aren’t free to hire, but are typically employed on the basis of a “contingency fee.” What this typically means is that workers’ compensation employees only charge their clients if they win their cases, and are paid a percentage of benefits. In Florida, attorneys may charge no more than 20% of the first $5000 dollars in benefits awarded, 15% of the second $5000, and the costs become smaller from there. 

How Can the Workers Comp Attorneys at Osborne & Francis Help Me?

Osborne & Francis have a team of seasoned attorneys with a wealth of experience that can help you navigate the process of securing compensation for your workers’ compensation claim. We know how to secure all of the necessary evidence and comb through every detail to ensure you receive the maximum amount of compensation. 

If you’ve been injured at work, don’t wait. Contact Osborne & Francis by phone at (561) 293-2600 or online at our Orlando office to schedule a free case evaluation today. 

Frequently Asked Questions