When you go to work each day, are you among other Florida workers who do so with the understanding that they are at great risk for injury on the job? The answer largely depends on what you do for a living. Some jobs are inherently more dangerous than others. Then again, don’t think that, just because you sit at a desk all day in an office, you have zero risk of workplace injuries. Many office workers carry out duties that involve repetitive motions, such as typing. In such cases, they may be at risk for repetitive stress injuries. The bottom line is that no job is 100% injury-proof. This is why it’s important to know what to do and where to seek support if you suffer injury in the workplace. Death toll up from previous year In 2019, there were more than 5,000 workplace fatalities in Florida and across the country. Do you believe your employers have fulfilled their duty to provide proper training, information and equipment to keep you safe on the job? Approximately 40% of workplace fatalities that occurred last year involved transportation. Do you drive to and from work? Do you depend on someone else to drive you to the workplace? Do you operate commercial vehicles or construction equipment on the job? Vehicular collisions on the job often result in life-threatening or fatal injuries. Is your job in the top 10? Logging, fishing and aircraft industries typically rank high on most lists for job danger. If you’re a construction worker, firefighter or landscaper, your job also poses a significant injury risk. Injuries from falls, slips or tripping are prevalent among roofers. Perhaps, you work in the recycling or waste collection industry. If so, you, too, are at great risk for workplace injuries. Recovering from a workplace accident If you suffer injury on the job, it’s always best to seek immediate medical attention, even if you believe your injuries are minor and non-life-threatening. Repetitive stress injuries, for instance, are not typically life-threatening but can have long-term, debilitating consequences. When you seek medical attention, you activate a paper trail of documentation that can come in handy if you later file a claim for benefits. It’s possible that your injuries may prevent you from returning to work, either temporarily or permanently. In either case, you’d undoubtedly be concerned about loss of income and making ends meet at home during recovery. Many Florida workers reach out for legal support in such circumstances to make sure they understand state laws and regulations that govern such matters, and to protect their rights and interests when filing a workers’ comp claim.
Financial stress is one of the most significant impacts a person may experience when dealing with a mental or physical disability. Whether it is because a medical condition you have or injury you suffered, when you can’t work, it’s a big deal. For this reason, you may decide to move forward with a disability claim with the Social Security Administration. The SSA maintains a strict definition of disability. Even when a person has a legitimate disabling medical condition, he or she may still have a hard time getting financial support. You may find it quite difficult to get the benefits you need, and your initial claim may come back denied. If this happens to you, this is not the end of the road for you. Why the SSA denies claims Even with a legitimate disability and completed paperwork, you may get a letter from the SSA saying that your claim came back denied. This letter should give you a reason for the denial, which can help you understand how to move forward. In many cases, the SSA lists the following reasons for denied claims:
- Your application did not contain enough evidence to prove you have a legitimate disabling physical or mental condition.
- There were problems with your application, or the SSA was not able to contact you about your claim.
- You did not follow the doctor’s orders for a treatment plan, or you did not comply with questions or instructions from the SSA.
- You have submitted too many previous claims or you have previously claimed a different disabling condition.
- You are still working or your income is too high, making you ineligible for benefits.
- The SSA thinks your disabling condition could relate to possible drug use or alcohol dependence.
- You have been convicted of a crime or the SSA believes that your disability is related to commission of a crime.
- The SSA believes your claim is fraudulent.