Tampa Workers’ Comp & Work Injury Attorney
Serving Clients Throughout Hillsborough County, Florida
Kobal Law is a Tampa law firm helping injured workers get the compensation they need when an on-the-job injury has kept them from working and caused them significant medical bills and other living expenses. At Kobal Law, we do all we can to make sure you get the medical care you need and compensation for lost wages while you are out of work or on restricted duty.
As an injured worker, you are supposed to be covered by workers’ compensation insurance and provided with care and compensation. Unfortunately, employers and their insurance companies don’t always see it that way. Adjusters look for reasons to limit what you receive — arguing the injury was preexisting, that the accident happened outside the scope of your job duties, or that your doctor’s recommended treatment exceeds what the insurer considers necessary. Each of those arguments, if it goes unanswered, can cost you months of medical care and income you cannot afford to lose. That’s when you need a smart, aggressive, experienced and successful attorney on your side fighting to see that you get what you are owed. Our practice includes Florida workers’ compensation benefits. We also take on hospitals that bill you for charges that should be covered by workers’ comp.
If you feel like the cards are stacked against you after you’ve been injured on the job, you’re right. Luckily, the Tampa workers’ comp & work injury attorneys at Kobal Law can level the playing field and make sure you get what you deserve.
Dedicated To Helping Injured Workers In Tampa
Firm founder and principal attorney Jason Kobal has 18 years of experience seeking Florida workers’ compensation on behalf of injured workers in Tampa. He was voted by his peers as the number one worker’s compensation attorney in the Tampa Bay Area in 2019, according to Tampa Magazine. Before representing injured workers exclusively, Jason worked on the insurance defense side of workers’ compensation disputes, which means he understands exactly how carriers build their case to deny or reduce your benefits — and he knows where those arguments fall apart. With Jason Kobal on your case, you know you’ve got a lawyer with the skills and experience to do the job. You’ll also find that having Jason on your side gives you confidence in what is otherwise a stressful and difficult time in your life. Jason is a down-to-earth individual who speaks to you in plain English and lays out your options so you’ll know what to expect and be comfortable you are making the right decisions. Some law firms make you feel like it is a privilege to get a moment of their time. At Kobal Law, we understand that it’s we who work for you and not the other way around.
A Comprehensive Approach To Workplace Injury Benefits
It’s true that after an on-the-job injury, you need a workers’ compensation attorney, but there may well be other legal issues related to your workplace accident that need to be addressed as well. At Kobal Law, we take a comprehensive approach to all of your injury-related needs, and all without costing you a dime out of your pocket before you’ve received any financial recovery. If you’ve been injured on the job in Tampa, here’s how we can help:
Workers’ Compensation – Florida workers’ compensation benefits are supposed to cover all of your medical costs and replace a portion of your lost wages while you are out of work, but employers and their insurance carriers find ways to turn down your claim or limit your benefits. They’ll say the accident wasn’t work-related or your injury isn’t substantial. You need the help of an experienced workers’ comp attorney who knows the system, who knows how to prepare a claim and appeal a denial, and who will fight for you at the DWC, the judge of compensation claims, or in the district court of appeals. Whether your case involves a back injury, a shoulder injury, a knee injury, or something catastrophic like a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury, Kobal Law has the experience to fight for the full scope of benefits you are owed.
Fair Debt – Under Florida workers’ comp law, doctors and hospitals can’t directly bill an injured worker, but guess what? They do it all the time. Every time they do, it is a violation of a worker’s rights. If bills like these go to collections, they can wreak havoc on your credit, when they never should have been sent in the first place. We know the law, and we fight for your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and other applicable consumer protection laws, including the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Protecting your credit at a time when you are in financial distress is more important than ever, and it’s something we understand and take care of at Kobal Law.
Personal Injury – Workers’ compensation is commonly thought of as the only option for compensation for an injured worker, but this is a common misconception. When an injury on the job is the fault of some third party, you likely have a third-party claim that is far more valuable than a workers’ compensation claim alone. We’ll explore all your options and file all available claims for maximum compensation. Even if you were not injured on the clock, our skill and experience with car accidents, slip and fall injuries, truck accidents, and other personal injury and wrongful death claims mean Kobal Law can help you get full value for your claim.
Tampa Work Injuries We Handle
Tampa’s economy runs on industries where serious workplace injuries happen every day. The Port of Tampa, the construction corridors along the interstate system, the hospitals and healthcare facilities, the hotels and restaurants throughout Hillsborough County — each of these workplaces produces injuries that range from manageable to life-altering. Kobal Law represents workers across all of them.
We regularly handle claims involving construction workers hurt by falls, equipment failures, and unsafe site conditions. We represent healthcare workers and nurses dealing with patient-handling injuries, needle sticks, and workplace violence. Warehouse workers, factory workers, and dock workers who suffer crush injuries, amputations, and broken bones from heavy machinery accidents and forklift accidents. Truck drivers and delivery drivers involved in collisions while on the clock. Restaurant workers and hotel workers with burn injuries, repetitive stress injuries, and slip and fall at work injuries. We also handle claims for occupational diseases, hearing loss, and conditions caused by toxic exposure or asbestos in the workplace.
No matter the occupation or injury, the process of getting what you are owed follows a similar path — and it is a path that an experienced Tampa work injury attorney has walked hundreds of times before.
Serving Injured Workers Across Hillsborough County
Kobal Law’s workers’ compensation and personal injury practice extends throughout Hillsborough County. If you were hurt on the job anywhere in the county — from the industrial areas near the port to the commercial districts of Brandon, Riverview, or Carrollwood — we can help. Our office handles Hillsborough County workers’ comp claims, work injury cases, construction worker injuries, and personal injury claims across the entire county.
Florida Workers’ Compensation FAQ
What Do I Have to Prove to Have a Worker’s Compensation Claim?
You do not have to prove your employer was negligent or caused the accident/injury. Sometimes even when an accident is your fault, it is still a valid claim. The basic elements are that you sustained injuries from an accident that occurred while at work. You must report the accident within 30 days.
What Can My Lawyer Help Me Get While on Worker’s Comp?
- Medical Care
- Lost Wages
- Settlement
How Much Does a Work Comp Lawyer Cost?
NOTHING comes out of your pocket at the time you hire your attorney. The consultation is free! We work on a contingency fee basis meaning, we get paid based on how much money we get for you. If you don’t recover any money, we get nothing.
How Much is My Case Worth?
There are three ways to determine the amount of a case:
- The severity of your injuries
- The costs involved in your treatment
- How much it’s going to cost in the future for lost wages and medical care.
How Do “Lost Wages” Work?
You’ll usually receive checks every other week at about 66% of your average weekly wage while you’re out, depending on the doctor’s opinion regarding your status.
You may be:
- Prohibited from working altogether
- Reduced to limited hours per week
- Allowed to work, with restrictions
- Released to light duty
Can I Go to My Own Doctor?
Normally, your employer’s insurance carrier gets to decide which doctors you see and when. The doctor the insurer selects is your authorized treating physician, and they work within a network the carrier has contracted with. But sometimes, if your employer doesn’t provide you medical care as required by law, we can help you go to your own doctor.
Can I Switch Doctors?
You’re allowed a one-time doctor change in your case. We’ll request a new doctor for you in writing; then the insurance company has five days to select your new doctor. Otherwise, you can choose your own doctor. If you disagree with a doctor’s findings, you may also be entitled to a second opinion or an independent medical examination.
Can My Lawyer Get Me an Advance on My Case?
Yes, in many cases we can get the work comp carrier to advance you $2,000 on your anticipated settlement immediately.
What if I Am Unable to Work in My Field Again?
Depending on your injuries, we may be able to get you retraining. If so, you could get paid 66% of your average weekly wages while attending retraining classes. If your injuries are severe enough, you may qualify for permanent disability benefits.
What Happens if I Quit My Job While on Worker’s Comp?
This will likely have an adverse effect on your case as they will most likely suspend future lost wages and benefits and more. Before quitting, consult with an attorney.
Can I Get Fired While on Workers’ Comp?
Florida is an “at will” hire and fire state. The employer can still fire you at will while you’re on workers’ comp. But, your employer may be liable for wrongful termination if you were fired in retaliation for filing your worker’s comp claim.
Can I Also Have a Civil Case at the Same Time as Worker’s Comp?
You can if a third party caused the accident such as a car accident that happened while at work. If you feel you are in a situation such as this, please contact us immediately because these cases can be extremely valuable and provide you with more options with regards to your compensation.
Can I Get Social Security Disability While on Workers’ Comp?
Yes you can. Please call us today so we can start the process.
What if My Claim is Denied?
A denied claim is not the end of your case — it is the beginning of the fight. Insurance companies deny valid claims regularly, counting on workers to give up. Kobal Law handles the appeals process and, when necessary, will take your case to a hearing before a judge of compensation claims. Many claims that are denied at first result in full benefits once an attorney gets involved.
What if My Employer Doesn’t Have Workers’ Comp Insurance?
Employers in Florida with four or more employees are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. In the construction industry, even a single employee triggers this requirement. If your employer failed to carry coverage, you may have the right to file an uninsured employer claim and sue your employer directly for the full extent of your damages, including pain and suffering — which is not available under standard workers’ comp.
Experienced Tampa Workers’ Compensation Attorney Serving Florida
Our Tampa workers’ compensation attorneys travel throughout Tampa and beyond for workers’ compensation, personal injury, and work injury cases. Given our expertise in the workers’ compensation fair debt area and the relatively few attorneys concentrating in this area, we extend our fair debt practice to clients in Florida statewide. All of our cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, with fees generated as a percentage of the amount we recover for you. You never have to pay any fees before we recover, and if we are unsuccessful, you don’t owe us a thing. Call anytime to schedule an appointment or tell us about your case. Both English and Spanish are spoken in the office for your convenience, so don’t hesitate to call and let us get started recovering valuable benefits and compensation for you.
