This question has been asked by countless employees who have been injured on the job and believe it was caused by their employer’s negligence. Outside of an employment situation, like a car accident, slip and fall, or medical injury, negligence can be a reason that the injured party seeks damages against the responsible person in court. Therefore, most people think the same rights exist when someone is injured at work and their employer was negligent. However, that is not the case. 

Workers’ compensation covers benefits for employees who have suffered work-related injuries and illnesses. While certain exceptions occur, the point of workers’ compensation is to ensure that those injured on the job receive monetary aid as they recover. 

One of the most perplexing aspects of the Florida Workers’ Compensation law is the lack of resources or solutions for workers when they have a career-altering injury. When an injured worker has completed their medical treatment but is still physically unable to return to their employment before the injury, the system has very little options for that worker. 

The COVID-19 pandemic offers a unique challenge when it comes to workers’ compensation in Florida. With countless concerns and consequences from this virus, employers are scrambling to adjust to the ever-changing regulations and expectations, especially if an employee contracts the virus while on the job.

While disability benefits and worker’s compensation may seem to be the same thing, there is a key difference that separates the two. Worker’s compensation is paid out by an employer when an employee suffers a work-related injury while disability benefits are gained when an employee pays into an insurance program. Both disability benefits and worker’s compensation are for the benefit of workers who have suffered injury.

Warehouse work can be one of the most dangerous occupations, requiring a high level of safety protocol to ensure the wellbeing of workers. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics compiled data that revealed that the warehouse industry has the highest rate of occupational incidents in the country. While the United States has some of the highest standards for worker health, warehouse safety can still be improved.

Retail store workers are responsible for creating a welcoming environment for shoppers, which means stores with dry floors, well-stocked shelves, and clear paths. These are not unusual expectations.