Can I Receive Compensation Following an Amputation Injury?

Suffering and injury at work can be incredibly upsetting. However, when that injury leaves you missing a part of your body, it can be devastating. Unfortunately, amputation injuries are not as uncommon as you may believe, so it’s imperative to familiarize yourself with how these injuries happen at work and the steps you can take to seek the compensation you deserve. The following blog explores what you should know about these complicated matters, including the importance of working with a Florida workers’ compensation attorney to help you recover the funds you are entitled to following an injury.

How Does an Amputation Injury Happen at Work?

Unfortunately, there are several accidents you may face at your place of work that can lead to the amputation of a limb. One of the most common causes is due to unsafe machinery, which can result in crush injuries. When someone’s extremity or limb is caught between two heavy pieces of machinery, like a press, it can cause damage so severe to the limb that amputation is the only option. In addition, you’ll find that some tools, like saws, slicers, or grinders, when used improperly, can result in cuts so deep that doctors are unable to mend the wound, leading to amputations.

You should also know that, generally, an amputation of a limb in Florida will deem you totally and permanently disabled. As such, you are deemed unable to return to work, so you can receive benefits to help pay for the wages you would have earned had the injury never occurred.

How Do I File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. This means you can recover compensation for an injury sustained on the job that you are entirely and solely responsible for. However, there are some exceptions, such as engaging in illegal activity at the time of the accident or roughhousing with other employees.

To file a workers’ compensation claim in Florida, you must immediately report the injury to your supervisor and seek immediate medical care. Typically, you must see a doctor approved by your employer. However, in the event of an injury so severe that it requires amputation, you should call emergency services and request an ambulance.

Once you have been treated, your employer will submit a claim on your behalf to their workers’ compensation insurance. Unfortunately, despite the severity of your injury, it is not uncommon for insurance companies to severely undervalue your claim or attempt to deny it. That is why it is imperative to connect with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to represent you and help you recover the funds you are entitled to.

At the Law Firm of Kevin A. Moore, our team understands the devastating impact an amputation can have on your life. That is why we will work tirelessly to help you recover the compensation and funds you deserve for the injury you have suffered at your place of work. Contact us today to learn how we can fight for you during these harrowing times.