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Just about everyone has at least heard of workers’ compensation as a possible source of financial support in the wake of an accident or serious illness on the job. If you have recently gotten hurt or sick while at work, you need to figure out whether you are eligible to receive those benefits.

Determining workers’ compensation claim eligibility in Miramar Beach can be complicated. Fortunately, support is available from the skilled workers’ comp lawyers at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon. We can make sure you understand all the options available to you and help maximize the compensation you ultimately receive.

Who Is Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

Under Florida state law, all companies with at least four total employees—including both full-time and part-time workers—are required to purchase and maintain workers’ compensation insurance coverage. Notably, though, companies in certain industries have different rules for workers’ comp coverage. For example, all construction companies with at least one employee must get workers’ comp coverage. In contrast, agricultural companies only have to buy workers’ comp insurance if they have:

  • At least six regular employees or at least 12 seasonal workers who work at least 30 days in a specific season or at least 45 days during a calendar year

It is also worth emphasizing that workers’ comp coverage only applies to people categorized as employees, so independent contractors may not be able to file a claim if they get hurt or sick while performing contract work in Miramar Beach. That said, state law requires contracting companies to ensure all their sub-contractors have proper workers’ comp insurance as required by law, and it holds contractors responsible for providing workers’ comp coverage if their sub-contractors do not maintain workers’ comp coverage.

Defining an Injury or Illness as Work-Related

Another key aspect of workers’ comp claim eligibility in Miramar Beach is whether an injury is work-related. Workers’ comp benefits are only available to covered employees who get hurt or sick directly as a result of an accident they experienced or conditions they encountered while performing job-related tasks or otherwise on the clock at work.

On the one hand, this means that occupational illnesses like emphysema and chronic stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome can make you eligible for workers’ comp benefits if you can prove they stemmed directly from your working conditions. On the other hand, activities that are technically related to work but are not actually part of your job duties may not be covered, most notably transit to and from work.

A Miramar Beach Attorney Can Help Establish Workers’ Compensation Claim Eligibility

In theory, workers’ compensation should be a fairly straightforward way for hard-working Floridians to get financial support after getting hurt or sick on the job. In reality, though, both individual employers and workers’ comp insurance providers often fight hard to minimize their own liability for a worker’s injury or illness. Workers who try to file claims without professional legal support are usually hindered by this strong opposition.

Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon can provide the custom-tailored representation you need to successfully establish workers’ compensation claim eligibility in Miramar Beach and obtain the benefits you need. Call today to get started on your claim.