Ocala Workplace Injury Lawyer
In theory, Florida workers’ compensation law covers all types of injuries and illnesses arising in the course and scope of employment. However, employers and their insurers challenge some injuries more often than others, making it especially difficult to receive adequate care and benefits. Depending on the injury, insurers may challenge the diagnosis of the injury, the recommended (costly) treatment, or whether the injury or illness is work-related. At the Musleh Law Firm, we are familiar with these common injuries and the typical responses they get from the insurance carrier. If you have received any of the following injuries after an Ocala workplace accident, call the Musleh Law Firm to make sure the insurance carrier approves your claim and pays your benefits on time and in full.
Shoulder & Knee Injuries – Common knee injuries in the workplace include sprains or tears of the meniscus, the ACL or the MCL. Common shoulder injuries include a torn rotator cuff, as well as tendinitis or a dislocated shoulder. In the best case, these injuries can be treated with pain relievers, physical therapy and rest. Sometimes, however, the worker will need surgery to repair a tear, requiring a longer recovery time. Having hardware implanted in the shoulder and knee, up to and including full joint replacement, may also sometimes be needed.
Insurers commonly argue that a more extensive remedy for a shoulder or knee injury is not medically necessary. They will also claim that the injury did not incur at work but is the result of a car wreck, sports injury, or even a degenerative disease. We gather all the facts and medical evidence surrounding the injury and fight aggressively to see that you get the right treatment that your injury calls for.
Back, Neck & Head Injuries – Injuries in the neck or spine cause consequences ranging from chronic pain and limitations of movement to complete paralysis. Treatments can include medication, physical therapy, surgery and long-term physical rehabilitation. Total disability is possible, as well, from a back or neck injury. Don’t be surprised if your employer claims your injury is related to your lifestyle outside of work or a degenerative disease. Let the Ocala workers’ compensation attorneys at the Musleh Law Firm pursue your claim and help you get the benefits you need and deserve.
Head and brain injuries present their own unique sets of problems when it comes to diagnosis, treatment and any resulting temporary or permanent partial or total disability. Seeing the right kind of specialist after a head or brain injury is essential to a proper diagnosis and the right kind of treatment. Unfortunately, the insurance company is in charge of authorizing you to see a specialist. If you don’t think you are getting the care you need, we can help.
Repetitive Motion Injuries – Despite Florida workers’ compensation law defining an “accident” as “an unexpected or unusual event or result that happens suddenly,” it is clear that workplace injuries can occur over time when the nature of the job requires performing the same physical motion repetitively. Common repetitive stress injuries include carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome and tendinosis from working at a computer for long periods, whether typing or using a mouse. Lower back strain and disorders to the lumbar spine can also manifest in workers who are required to bend, lift and carry heavy objects throughout the day, as well as crawl, hunch over, or stand for long periods in certain positions. Employers challenge the serious nature of the injury or the link between the injury and job duties, so the help of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney is often essential to fight a challenge to your claim or outright denial.
Toxic Exposure – Exposure to toxic chemicals, industrial solvents, or heavy metals at work can make a worker very sick, with injuries ranging from respiratory illnesses and burns to liver damage, brain or nerve damage, and cancer. Contaminants in the workplace, including asbestos, fungus, mold or lead, can be equally dangerous. Florida workers’ comp law covers these types of injuries but requires the employee to prove their claims with “clear and convincing evidence.” Our experienced litigators put in the time and effort to build and present a strong case that meets this high standard of proving that exposure to a specific substance in the workplace is indeed the cause of the injury or illness.
Illness/Disease – Florida workers’ compensation specifically recognizes an occupational disease as “the happening of an injury by accident,” entitling the employee to workers’ comp for disability caused by the disease. Still, the burden often falls on the worker to prove that the disease resulted from the nature of the employment and that the job was a major contributing cause of the disease. Proving your case requires marshaling the medical evidence and proving a particular hazard of the job above and beyond the usual run of occupations that led to the illness.
Hearing Loss – Hearing loss as a workplace injury can be the result of a single traumatic event such as a blow to the head or exposure to an extremely loud noise, or it may come about due to repeated exposure to loud noises over the long-term. Proving that hearing loss is work-related as opposed to age-related or some other reason can be a complex matter, as well as defining the extent of the loss and the proper amount of workers’ compensation.
Hypertension/First Responders – Firefighters, law enforcement officers and other first responders deal with stress as a regular part of their job, including expected regular daily stress and unpredictable emergencies and crises. These stressors can lead to a number of health ailments, including high blood pressure (hypertension). Not only is hypertension a covered illness for first responders, but Florida worker’s comp law creates a presumption that first responder hypertension is job-related. Sadly, this legal presumption doesn’t keep the insurance companies from putting your life under a microscope and claiming your illness is due to other factors off the job. We’ll stand up for you and build a strong case proving your eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits for this unique on-the-job injury.
Help with All Types of Ocala Workplace Accidents and Injuries
If you’ve been hurt on the job and need to know how to file a claim, or if your claim is challenged or denied, call the Musleh Law Firm at 352-732-0600 for a free consultation with a dedicated and professional Ocala workers’ compensation lawyer.
