Snowbirds, Oranges, and Workers’ Compensation in Florida

At last, the special time of year we Floridians refer to as “Snowbird Season” is upon us. Many of Florida’s part-time residents from various parts of the country, and the world, return to the Sunshine State for their annual winter residency. Far away from the cold and snow of up north, for Florida’s beautiful weather, beaches, and golf courses.

As much as some Floridians lament about the season and congested roadways, Snowbirds are vital to Florida’s economy. Snowbirds touch every aspect of Florida’s economy, from tourism to real estate to retail - and everything in between. The simple equation? The more people, the more goods and services are bought and used. During this time of year, many businesses realize they need more employees due to an influx of customers, which is excellent for unemployed Floridians who have been looking for work. The need for more employees is most noticeable in the service sector, particularly retail and food and beverage.

Winter in Florida also heralds the return of fresh, delicious Florida oranges, with packing houses and juice plants buzzing with activity. Seasonal workers will come from all areas of the country to help with every aspect of the harvest, from picking to packing to delivery.

Florida’s Seasonal And Year-round Employees Qualify For Workers Compensation

With the influx of seasonal employees and residents across Florida and seasonal residents, there will be many more drivers on our roads and, unfortunately, more injuries. If you’re a seasonal employee, whether part-time or full-time, it is essential to know what actions you must take in the unforeseen event of an accident at work so that you can receive the proper medical and/or missed wage benefits and return to work. It does not matter whether you picked up a job at the restaurant part-time during the season or year-round. Any experienced workers comp lawyer will tell you that you are entitled to the same benefits under Florida’s workers’ compensation law.

When you sustain an injury at work, the most critical action you must take is to report the accident to a supervisor right away and complete an incident report. Once you have fulfilled this task, your employer may send you to a hospital or walk-in urgent care, depending on the severity. You may be placed on work restrictions or a no-work status once you start receiving treatment, for which you will not be billed. In either of these instances, you may be entitled to miss wage benefits. If you are on a no-work status, you will receive 66 and 2/3% of your Average Weekly Wage, which is determined by averaging your wages for the thirteen weeks before the accident. If you are placed on light-duty work restrictions, you will either return to work in a light-duty capacity or, if the employer cannot provide a position within the restrictions, will be placed out of work until you can return. In the above instance, you will receive Temporary Partial Disability benefits which are also a form of missed wage benefits.

Lyle B. Masnikoff & Associates, P.a.: Going The Extra Mile For Florida Workers

Workers Compensation Attorney and Founder of Lyle B. Masnikoff & Associates, P.A., Lyle Masnikoff, goes the extra mile for Florida workers. Throughout his twenty-year career he has worked tirelessly to ensure that Floridians who suffer injuries on the job receive the proper benefits in a timely manner. Have you or a loved one started working a seasonal or full-time job in Florida? Have you sustained an injury on the job or just have questions about your rights under Florida’s workers compensation law? Contact us at Lyle B. Masnikoff & Associates, P.A. We are here to answer your questions and the consultation is free. We work on a contingency basis, which means there is no fee until you win. No matter where you live in the state of Florida, our practice can help you. Give us a call at (772) 461-9181or complete our online form today.

Copyright© 2021. Lyle B. Masnikoff & Associates, P.A. All rights reserved.

The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No statement in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other relevant licensing jurisdiction.

Lyle Masnikoff & Associates, P.A. 1645 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd #550 West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (772) 461-9181 https://workerscompfl.net/

This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different - call (561) 598-7120 for a free consultation about yours.