How Long Does It Take to Get Paid by Workers’ Comp?

Florida Workers’ Compensation Benefits Timeline

First, it is important that you follow timing deadlines for initiating your claim.

• You must notify your employer of your injury within 30 days.
• If you develop a chronic condition, notify your employer within 30 days of discovering that the problem is related to your work environment or duties.

Do You Know How to File Your Workers’ Comp Claim?

If you would like guidance on the steps involved with filing a claim, click to learn more about how to file a workers’ compensation claim. After you file, the below timeline begins.

Once you have initiated the workers’ comp claim, the following is a basic outline of your timeline to benefits, so you can understand how long it takes to get paid:

• Within 3 business days, your employer must provide a paper copy of your injury report to you.
• The company must report your injury to the insurer within 7 days.
• The insurer must then send a rights and benefits brochure to you 3 days after receiving notification of the injury.
• The insurer must respond to your treating doctor’s initial, written request for medical treatment within 3 business days (this request usually is sent electronically).
• Written requests for medical referrals must be authorized or denied within 3 business days.
  • However, if the cost of treatment will be over $1,000, the insurance company’s response deadline is extended to 10 days.
• Within 14 days of notification of temporary disability, you should receive the first installment of compensation for your lost wages.
• Eligibility begins once you have lost 7 straight days of work (or 8 days that are not consecutive).
  • So, generally, the earliest you can receive your first check is 3 weeks after the date of injury.
  • If you are disabled for more than 21 days, you will be paid for the first 7 days as well.

What Is the Timeline if Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied?

• If it is denying your claim, the insurer should do so within 14 days of their knowledge of the relevant incident.
  • If there is a need for further investigation, the insurer must provide initial benefits and notify the worker of a delayed decision.
  • Then, an official denial of the claim must be filed within 120 days of initial provision of benefits. Injured workers have a right to appeal this denial within 2 years of the date of injury.

What Is the Timeline if a Worker Died on the Job?

• If the case involves a work-related death, family members should receive a payment within 14 days after the insurer receives official notification.