Tampa Lost Wages Benefits Lawyer
A sudden and unexpected job injury also means the sudden and unexpected loss of most, or perhaps all, of a family’s income. These economic difficulties create so much stress that it is impossible for victims to focus on recovery. It’s also impossible for their bodies and minds to get in recovery mode, so the recuperation process drags on much longer than it should. To reverse these dynamics, substantial lost wages benefits may be available, even if the victims can still work.
The assertive Tampa workers’ compensation lawyers at Barbas Nuñez Sanders Butler & Hovsepian are committed to Tampa-area families. Part of that commitment means getting injured workers back on the job as quickly as possible. Another part of that commitment involves obtaining the benefits these victims deserve. The bottom line is that if you are unable to work, a substantial income stream may still be available.
What is the Average Weekly Wage in Tampa?
On its face, the AWW is the average of the victim’s wages over the past fifty-two weeks. But in many cases, this calculation involves more than just the math.
“Wage” is a very broad term that is not limited to just regular hours on a regular paycheck. Workers’ wages also include:
- Overtime,
- Performance bonuses, and
- Noncash compensation, such as tuition reimbursement or per diem reimbursement.
Future calculations are usually based on prior earnings. For example, if the victim receive a bonus every six months, it’s reasonable to assume that the bonuses will keep coming in like fashion.
Sometimes, AWW prior earnings calculations are inaccurate. Many people change jobs frequently. If the new job meant higher pay, victims should receive more benefits. There are other issues as well. Sometimes, a worker is injured during a probationary or training period. Benefits should accelerate once that training period would have ended. After all, a job injury is certainly not the victim’s fault.
Types of Workplace Injuries in Tampa
Both trauma injuries, like falls, and occupational diseases, like repetitive stress disorder, basically fall into three categories:
- TTD: Most trauma injuries are Temporary Total Disabilities, at least initially. Victims are usually completely unable to work. In these cases, most victims receive two-thirds of their AWW for up to five years.
- TPD: Some trauma injury and occupational disease victims have a Temporary Partial Disability. They are able to work while they recover, but they must perform light duty or work fewer hours. Typically, Florida workers’ compensation provides two-thirds of the difference between the old and new wages.
- Impairment Benefits: Some victims are unable to return to work, or they are at least never able to resume their former occupations. Some of these individuals receive lump-sum payments while others receive annuities.
The amount of compensation in impairment cases depends on a number of factors, such as the extent of disability and the victim’s occupation.
Job injury victims are entitled to other types of compensation as well. No-fault insurance benefits usually take care of all medical bills. Additionally, some Tampa victims may be able to file civil claims. These individuals are entitled to compensation for noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Contact Tenacious Tampa Lost Wages Benefits Lawyers
Money for lost wages is only one benefit available to job injury victims. For a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Tampa, contact Barbas Nuñez Sanders Butler & Hovsepian. Home and hospital visits are available.
