As a worker who has been injured on the job in New Port Richey and surrounding areas of Florida, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, just because you are legally entitled to workers’ compensation does not mean that these benefits will be paid on time or in full, despite the fact that they should be. If you have received a workers’ compensation check late, or are still waiting for your workers’ compensation check, here is what you should know about your rights and options:

Steps to Take When Waiting on a Late Workers’ Compensation Check

If you believe that your workers’ compensation check is late, there are a few steps that you should take. These include:

• Check the date and amount on your last check. Before you jump to any conclusions, check the date on your last check. In some cases, you may have actually been paid ahead of time and are merely confused about the amount you are owed and when you are owed it. Thoroughly review your records and checks received to confirm that you are indeed owed money that you have not received, and that the check is late.
• Call the insurance company directly. While it is your right to be paid on time and in full after reaching a workers’ compensation settlement, things do happen. Sometimes, computer errors result in a delay or a check gets lost in the mail. If you are waiting on a workers’ compensation check that you have not received, you should call the workers’ compensation insurer and ask about the status of your check. It is possible that they have put the check in the mail. If they claim to have paid you and you have not received it, ask them to cancel the check they have sent and reissue a new check.
• Request a penalty. Depending on how late your check is, you may be able to request a penalty payment from the workers’ compensation insurer. If you are unsure how to do this or are having difficulty getting the insurer to cooperate, it is best to consult with a lawyer.
• Call an attorney. You deserve to be paid your full payment amount and to receive that check on time; you are likely relying on your workers’ compensation check to support yourself, and a late check can be extremely stressful. If you have contacted the insurance company and have still not received your check, or if you believe that you are entitled to a penalty payment, be sure to contact a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney with experience pursuing late checks from workers’ compensation insurers.

Reach Out to the Office of the Rooth Law Firm, P.A.

At the Rooth Law Firm, P.A., our experienced New Port Richey workers’ compensation attorney is board-certified in workers’ compensation law by the Florida Bar Association. Our law firm and lawyers are also passionate about representing injured workers like you and can help you to hold the insurance company accountable if you have received a check late or have not received your check at all. For a free consultation, please call our law offices today.