What Are The Changes To Florida’s Workers’ Compensation?
Bryan Greenberg
Workers’ Compensation
The state of Florida has made changes to rules concerning Workers’ Compensation early in 2022. Worker’s compensation is a type of insurance that businesses and individual contractors are required to carry. This insurance helps workers financially as they recover from a sickness or injury while working at their job. What are these changes to Florida’s Workers’ Compensation?New Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rates
At the beginning of 2022, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation enacted a decrease in worker’s compensation insurance rates. The new insurance rates are now 4.9% lower than the previous year’s, giving businesses significant savings.
The decrease is not a new occurrence as worker’s compensation insurance rates have been on a steady decrease in the past few years. Since this insurance is a requirement for Florida businesses with four or more employees, these lower rates is good news for businesses because it means lower costs.
These rates apply to all coverages, including Basic Economic Loss, Bodily Injury and Property Damage liability insurance; Third Party Liability/Contractual Liability; Employer’s Liability (occupational disease); First-Party Benefits coverage; medical coverage; Supplemental Unemployment Benefits coverage; and coverage for self-insurers.
New Limits On Benefits For Worker’s Compensation Claims
While the minimum amount of compensation has not changed, the limits on the benefits for worker’s compensation claims continue to increase. This year, the state implemented an $88 increase, making the maximum amount of compensation a worker can get $1,099 per week. This increase is one of the largest increases in the past few years.
However, it is important to note that the amount of compensation a worker is entitled is still computed based on their wage, number of dependents, and a few other factors. In particular, the maximum compensation allowed cannot be more than 2/3 of the worker’s average weekly wage.
Changes To Certain Procedures
The state also issued an update on the procedures by which insurance companies reach potential claimants. Where, before, they can only send brochures to potential claimants via direct mail within 3 days of the reported injury, they can now do so via e-mail. These brochures contain information about coverage options available to employees.
Getting Your Workers’ Compensation Benefit In Florida
Florida requires all businesses with 4 or more employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Likewise, those who work as independent contractors must be self-insured. This is, indeed, an additional requirement for businesses but this is an insurance that could save businesses thousands of dollars in the event that an employee or you become injured at work. With workers’ compensation, an employee who is hurt or ill because of their work does not have to file a lawsuit against their employer, nor will they need to prove the employer’s negligence in order to get compensation. If they were injured or became ill because of and while at work, they can simply file a claim with the employer’s insurance provider.
If you were injured while on the job or developed an illness because of the nature of your work, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, by Florida law. All you need to do is report the injury or illness to your employer within 30 days and then file petitions for benefits within 2 years.
While you do not need to prove that your employer was negligent and caused the injury, you do need to provide proof that the injury happened on the job or that the illness was the direct result of your occupation. The process involves a lot of paperwork, building a case, communicating and negotiating with both your employer and the insurance company, and potentially filing an appeal. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you from start to finish. Contact All Injuries Law Firm, P.A. today.