Workers Compensation in the State of Florida Research Paper

Workers Compensation in the State of Florida - Research Paper Example Workers are entitled to make claims in regards to injuries arising out of work while in the course of employment. These injuries may result in temporary total disability, permanent disability or permanent partial disability as well as death. To calculate benefit entitlements worker are divided into classes according to the type of duties they perform or job description. Each category has an average wage which is used in determining premiums paid by employer and in compensation (Justice Newsflash, 2010). Workers are entitled to claim benefits as a result of occupational diseases acquired at work due to use of harmful chemicals or other substances that may affect health. The employer is supposed to hire a certified medical practitioner or recommend a list of practitioners where injured employees can be medically examined. If established that indeed the employee suffered injury, the following benefits are payable:-Medical benefits whereby full medical benefits are given but after maximu m medical improvement, a $10 patient copayment is required for all medical services and non attendance to medical exams is fined 50% (Larson, 2003). Temporary total disablement are subject to social security and unemployment insurance and are calculated as % of workers wage subject to weekly maximum and payment is up to 104 weeks. Permanent total disability benefits are paid as long as disability continues and are subject to legal deductions while permanent partial disablement is % of weekly payments and has no minimum. Disfigurements such as facial or head are also payable.