Tampa Work Injury Lawyer

If you are hurt on the job in Florida, you are generally entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, which include medically necessary care for the injury and partial wage replacement while you are unable to work. If someone other than your employer, such as a negligent driver, property owner, or equipment manufacturer, caused the injury, you may also have a separate claim against that party.

Workplace accidents can happen in any industry, from construction sites to office environments. When you’ve been hurt on the job, you need legal representation to protect your rights and help you recover the compensation you deserve.

At Franchi Law, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges you may face after a workplace accident, and we can provide the advocacy you need during this difficult time. With our in-depth knowledge of Florida’s workers’ compensation laws, our lawyers at Franchi Law will work to pursue the full benefits available to you and support your recovery.

Franchi Law Is Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights in Work Injury Cases

• After a work injury, you need a knowledgeable advocate. We have in-depth knowledge of Florida’s workers’ compensation laws and will fight for all benefits you’re entitled to.
• We stay with your case through your recovery. Our attorneys challenge denied claims and unfair settlement offers on behalf of injured workers.
• Our firm works on a no-win, no-fee basis, helping limit your out-of-pocket expenses. Our commitment is to your full and fair recovery.

Understanding Florida’s Workers’ Compensation Laws

Florida’s workers’ compensation system is designed to provide benefits to employees who suffer injuries or illnesses in the course and scope of their employment. These benefits may include medical treatment, wage replacement, and other forms of financial assistance.

If you have been hurt at work in Tampa, you must report your injury to your employer within 30 days. As long as your injury occurred on the job or was caused by your work activities, and you report your injury within the required time frame, you may be eligible for workers’ comp.

Florida Workers’ Compensation Deadlines and Benefits

Florida’s workers’ compensation law is found in chapter 440 of the Florida Statutes. These are general summaries, and how each rule applies depends on the facts of your case.

• Reporting deadline: You must tell your employer about the injury within 30 days after it happens or first appears, or the claim may be barred unless an exception applies (Florida Statutes section 440.185 (2026)).
• Petition deadline: A petition for benefits generally must be filed within 2 years after you knew or should have known the injury arose out of your work. A benefit payment or medical treatment provided under the claim can extend that period for 1 year from the date of the payment (Florida Statutes section 440.19 (2026)).
• Waiting period: Wage benefits are not paid for the first 7 days of disability unless the disability lasts more than 21 days. Medical benefits are not subject to this waiting period (Florida Statutes section 440.12 (2026)).
• Temporary total disability: These benefits are generally 66 2/3 percent of your average weekly wage, up to a weekly maximum equal to the statewide average weekly wage, for up to 104 weeks or until you reach maximum medical improvement, whichever comes first (Florida Statutes sections 440.15 and 440.12 (2026)).
• Medical care: Your employer must provide medically necessary treatment for the injury. Except in an emergency, a health care provider generally needs authorization from the employer’s insurance carrier before treating you (Florida Statutes section 440.13 (2026)).

Workers’ compensation is usually the only remedy against your employer. Limited exceptions apply, such as when an employer fails to secure the coverage the law requires or commits an intentional tort, which must be proven by clear and convincing evidence (Florida Statutes section 440.11 (2026)).

You can accept workers’ compensation benefits and still pursue a claim against a negligent third party, although the carrier may have a lien on part of that recovery (Florida Statutes section 440.39 (2026)). Since House Bill 837 took effect on March 24, 2023, most negligence claims that arise after that date must be filed within two years instead of four (Florida Statutes section 95.11 (2026)).

Common Workplace Injuries in Tampa

Work injuries happen in warehouses, on job sites, on the road, and in offices. Common examples include:

• Lifting injuries, such as back strains, herniated discs, and hernias.
• Slips, trips, and falls from wet floors, ladders, or scaffolding, which can cause fractures, spinal cord injuries, and brain injuries.
• Machinery and equipment accidents, including crush injuries and amputations.
• Vehicle accidents while driving for work or making deliveries.
• Repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, that develop over time. For these, the 30-day reporting period runs from the date the injury first appears.

What to Do After a Work Injury in Florida

• Get medical care. In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency room. Otherwise, ask your employer or its insurance carrier which doctor is authorized to treat you.
• Report the injury in writing, such as by email, within 30 days, and sooner if you can.
• See the authorized doctor, keep your appointments, and explain how the injury happened at work.
• Keep records, including injury reports, medical records, work restrictions, pay stubs, photos, and witness names.
• Watch your deadlines, and talk with a lawyer before you sign a settlement or release.

How a Tampa Work Injury Lawyer Can Help

After a workplace injury, pursuing a workers’ comp claim can be the last item on your mind. In these situations, trust a Tampa work injury lawyer to handle your claim while you focus on healing and recovery.

At Franchi Law, our work injury attorneys in Tampa will work diligently to pursue your full and fair benefits, including compensation for your medical care and lost wages. We will also determine whether you may qualify for a third-party claim, such as cases that involve defective equipment or negligent contractors. If your employer retaliates against you or attempts to prematurely terminate your benefits, we can help protect your rights and hold them accountable.

In the event that your workers’ compensation claim is denied or there are disputes over the extent of your work-related injuries, our firm will fight to overturn improper denials. We will represent you in hearings and appeals and, when necessary, we will negotiate for settlements that consider your long-term needs and financial security. You can trust our Tampa work injury attorneys to stand by your side from the initial consultation to the final resolution.

Frequently Asked Questions About Work Injuries in Florida

How long do I have to report a work injury in Florida?

You must tell your employer within 30 days after the injury or after symptoms first appear. Missing this deadline can bar your claim unless an exception applies, such as your employer already knowing about the injury (Florida Statutes section 440.185 (2026)).

Can I choose my own doctor under Florida workers’ comp?

Generally, no. Except in an emergency, treatment must be authorized by your employer’s insurance carrier. You may request one change of physician in writing, and the carrier must authorize an alternative doctor within 5 days. If it does not, you may select the doctor yourself (Florida Statutes section 440.13 (2026)).

How much does workers’ comp pay in Florida?

Temporary total disability benefits are generally 66 2/3 percent of your average weekly wage, up to a weekly maximum based on the statewide average weekly wage for the year of your injury, for up to 104 weeks. No wage benefits are paid for the first 7 days unless the disability lasts more than 21 days (Florida Statutes sections 440.15 and 440.12 (2026)).

Can I sue someone other than my employer?

Often, yes. Workers’ compensation is usually your only remedy against your employer, but you may also pursue a negligence claim against a third party, such as another driver or the maker of defective equipment (Florida Statutes section 440.39 (2026)). Most negligence claims that arose after March 24, 2023, must be filed within two years (Florida Statutes section 95.11 (2026)).

Can my employer fire me for filing a workers’ comp claim?

Florida law prohibits an employer from firing, threatening to fire, intimidating, or coercing an employee because of a valid workers’ compensation claim (Florida Statutes section 440.205 (2026)). If you believe you faced retaliation, keep a record of what happened and speak with a lawyer.

Get the Support You Deserve: Contact Our Tampa Work Injury Lawyer Today

Workplace injuries can derail your career and financial stability, but Franchi Law can help you navigate Florida’s complex workers’ compensation system. Our Tampa personal injury attorneys will fight for proper medical care and fair compensation for your injuries. Contact our Tampa work injury lawyers at (813) 800-4529 to schedule your free case evaluation and plan your path forward.