Workers’ compensation will cover all the medical bills related to your injury or illness, including hospitalization, doctor’s visits, medical tests, prescription drugs and physical therapy. If you sustained a temporary disability from a workplace accident, you could receive up to 66.67 percent of your normal wage (limited to $971 per week) every week for 104 weeks.

A total and permanent disability, such as a severe spinal cord injury, may qualify you to receive that same percentage but for many years up until you reach 75 without a limit. A permanent disability will qualify you for a longer compensation period than a temporary disability, but it usually isn’t lifelong. If the disability has made you unable to perform your current duties, you’ll also be reimbursed for vocational training and job placement services.

Workers’ compensation doesn’t require filers to prove fault to qualify for benefits. While this can help injured workers receive compensation sooner than they would in a comparable third-party claim, the no-fault system can limit the types of compensation they’re entitled to receive.

For example, your total compensation won’t include pain and suffering damages. You also aren’t able to file a personal injury claim against your employer to bolster your earnings, as workers’ comp laws shield employers from litigation in most situations.

However, if a third party (another contractor, private commuter, etc.) contributed to your workplace injury, you might be able to pursue legal action against them to secure the compensation you need. The workers’ comp attorneys at our Bonita Springs firm will strategize potential methods to maximize your total compensation.