How Much Does Workers’ Comp Pay in Florida?
The Average Weekly Wage (AWW), which as of January 1, 2025 is a maximum $1,295 per week, determines how much workers’ comp pays in Florida. Most job injury victims receive two-thirds of their AWW for the duration of their temporary or permanent disabilities. These benefits, along with medical payment benefits, are available regardless of fault for a work-related injury or illness.
To determine the AWW, most insurance companies simply add the last few weeks of income and hit the divide key. But as outlined below, AWW calculation is not that easy. Yet many insurance companies use the simple and deceptive method, leaving victims with less money than they deserve. A Tampa workers’ compensation lawyer works diligently to obtain all the benefits that job injury victims are entitled to, making their recoveries much easier.
Kinds of Disability Benefits
Job-related injuries are usually falls and other trauma injuries, which occur suddenly and without warning. Occupational diseases include toxic exposure cancer, hearing loss, and repetitive stress disorders. Illnesses and injuries could cause temporary or permanent disabilities, as follows:
- Temporary Total Disabilities: Most fall, car crash, and other trauma injury victims must recover for several weeks or months before they return to work. To offset the financial loss, workers’ compensation pays two-thirds of the victim’s average weekly wage for the duration of that temporary disability, at least in most cases.
- Temporary Partial Disability: Sometimes, after a few weeks of full rest and recovery, victims can work part-time or take light-duty assignments. Since victims only receive limited income in these situations, a Tampa workers’ compensation lawyer can obtain a supplement, which is two-thirds of the difference between the old and new AWWs.
- Permanent Total Disability: Some illnesses and injuries are permanently debilitating. A “disability” is a medical condition that prevents permanent, full-time employment at any SGA (substantial gainful activity) job. To determine two-thirds of future lost wages, most Tampa workers’ compensation lawyers partner with accountants or other outside professionals.
- Permanent Partial Disability: Some victims do not fully recover from their illnesses or injuries. So, they must permanently work lower paying jobs, as mentioned above. Once again, to make up for the financial shortfall, two-thirds of the difference between the old and new AWW is available.
Maximum lost wage replacement is usually available even if the victim had a pre-existing condition that contributed to the risk and/or severity of illness or illness.
AWW Issues
Prior grades exclusively determine GPA (grade point average). But prior wages don’t exclusively determine workers’ comp AWW.
Wages change frequently. Assume Julie broke her arm at work shortly after she was promoted from cashier to shift manager. Her cashier wages don’t accurately reflect her injury-related lost wages. Her AWW must be adjusted to reflect that difference.
On a related note, the AWW is forward looking. If Julie’s broken arm forces her to miss overtime opportunities and performance bonus milestones, once again, her workers’ comp wage replacement benefits must reflect those losses. The AWW must also reflect non-cash compensation, such as 401(k) matching contributions and per diem allowances.
Work With a Tough-Minded Hillsborough County Lawyer
Injury victims are entitled to important financial benefits. For a confidential consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Tampa, contact Kobal Law. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we start working for you.
Source:
myfloridacfo.com/division/wc/insurer/maximum-compensation-rate-table
