If your initial workers’ compensation claim is denied, or if your initial settlement offer is worth much less than the claim is worth, you will need a trained and skilled Jacksonville workers’ compensation attorney to help you file a workers’ compensation claim. This process can be very stressful and many times can require pursuing more than one claim. You want an experienced and highly trained workers’ comp attorney working for you and the Jacksonville workers’ compensation attorneys at Harris Guidi are ready to step in and help you navigate this frustrating maze of legal issues and claims processes.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance claims can be very costly and because of this many insurance companies will go to great lengths to limit the amount of financial and medical benefits that an injured employee will receive. They do this by making it difficult for you to get the benefits that you are entitled to under Florida Law. The insurance companies will pass you from agent to agent and can make it very frustrating and difficult to receive your benefits. Many people just give up on their claims. Employers will also attempt to go around the law.
Employers may try to avoid the expense of workers’ compensation claims by claiming that your injury was not sustained at work, or is not as severe as you claim, or even tell you that you are not covered at all. Further still, some employers will not even carry workers compensation insurance. And some employers and insurance companies will deny your workers’ compensation claims for any reason they can come up with, valid or not.
Workers’ Compensation Appeals Process
When a workers’ compensation claim is denied, or if the benefits are suddenly reduced or stopped altogether, you still have recourse with the Law. Listed below are the steps that you may have to go through to get a positive outcome to your claim:
- Once your claim is denied or benefits reduced or stopped, you have the right to file a Petition for Benefits with the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings.
- After filing the Petition, the next step is a round of mediation talks.
- If you do not get a favorable outcome from the mediation talks, you have the right to an evidentiary hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.
- If the hearing does not result in a positive outcome, then you can appeal the ruling to the First District Court of Appeals.
Many of these steps will require navigating a sometimes very complex legal process. Be sure that you have a proven advocate on your side. Harris Guidi Rosner, P.A. North Florida Workers Compensation Attorney’s are standing by and ready to fight on your behalf. Call our office today or contact us with our convenient email form and we will schedule a free consultation with you, so that you can get back to the job of healing, and back on the job as soon as possible.