No matter what you do for a living, there is a chance you will be injured at work. Your chance of being injured can vary according to the type of work you perform, but there is no occupation where there is no chance of employee injury. Because of this reality, most employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, a type of insurance that compensates injured employees when they suffer injuries on the job.

A workers’ compensation claim is not the same as a personal injury claim. With a personal injury claim, you must prove that another party’s negligence caused you to suffer an injury in order to recover compensation for your related damages. With a workers’ compensation claim, there is no need to prove that another party was negligent – you must only demonstrate that you qualify for the benefits you are seeking.

Florida Workers’ Compensation Requirements

In Florida, workers’ compensation claims are governed by the Division of Workers’ Compensation. As a covered employee, you are required to notify your employer of any injury you sustain on the job within 30 days of the accident. After you have reported the accident, you must undergo an independent medical examination by a doctor from the list of your workers’ compensation provider’s approved physicians. Data from this examination will determine the extent of your injury and by extension, the benefits you are entitled to receive.