In Florida, workers’ compensation is no-fault insurance that most employers must carry under Chapter 440 of the Florida Statutes. If you’re hurt on the job, you report the injury to your employer within 30 days, the employer’s insurance carrier authorizes your medical care, and the carrier pays for authorized treatment and part of your lost wages. You don’t have to prove your employer was at fault.
This guide walks through how the Florida system works for an injured worker in Jacksonville, from the first report to returning to work. It’s general information, not legal advice. For questions about your claim, talk with a workers’ compensation attorney.
Florida Workers’ Comp: Key Facts
- Florida requires an injured worker to report a work injury to the employer within 30 days of the injury or of learning it was work related (F.S. 440.185).
- A health care provider must get authorization from the carrier before treating a Florida workers’ comp injury, except in an emergency (F.S. 440.13(3)).
- Florida limits chiropractic care under workers’ comp to 24 treatments or 12 weeks from the first chiropractic treatment, whichever comes first, unless the carrier authorizes more or the injury is catastrophic (F.S. 440.13(2)(a)).
- An injured worker can request one change of physician in writing, and the carrier must authorize an alternative within 5 days (F.S. 440.13(2)(f)).
- A petition for benefits is generally barred 2 years after the injury, with a 1-year extension from the last payment of benefits or authorized treatment (F.S. 440.19).
- Florida workers’ comp is run by the Department of Financial Services, Division of Workers’ Compensation. Federal employees are covered by OWCP instead.
Who Is Covered
Most Florida employees are covered by their employer’s workers’ compensation policy, whether they work in construction, logistics and warehousing, health care, retail or an office. Two groups in Northeast Florida are usually covered by federal programs instead:
- Federal civilian employees (for example, USPS, VA or civilian Navy workers at NAS Jacksonville or Mayport) are covered by the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) under FECA and report injuries on a federal CA-1 or CA-2 form. See our federal workers’ compensation (OWCP) guide.
- Maritime, port and ship repair workers, including many who work at JAXPORT’s Blount Island, Dames Point and Talleyrand terminals or in ship repair at Mayport and along the St. Johns River, may be covered by the federal Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act instead of state workers’ comp. See our Longshore injury care page.
If you were driving for work when a crash happened, workers’ comp may apply rather than, or along with, your auto PIP. Ask your adjuster or an attorney which applies to you.
How a Florida Workers’ Comp Claim Works, Step by Step
- Get emergency care if you need it. Emergency treatment doesn’t need prior authorization; the provider notifies the carrier afterward.
- Report the injury to your employer. Do it as soon as you can, and no later than 30 days after the injury or after you learn it’s work related. Late reporting can bar your claim unless an exception applies.
- Your employer reports it to the insurance carrier. Ask for the claim number and your adjuster’s name and phone number.
- The carrier authorizes your medical care. In Florida, the carrier chooses and authorizes your treating providers. Care from a provider who isn’t authorized may not be paid.
- Follow your treatment plan and work restrictions. Your authorized provider documents your diagnosis, treatment and work status, including any light-duty restrictions.
- Keep records. Save copies of forms, letters, appointment dates and mileage, and keep notes of every call with the carrier.
- Return to work or reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). MMI is the point where further recovery isn’t expected. If you have a lasting impairment, it’s rated at MMI.
Medical Benefits Under Florida Workers’ Comp
Workers’ comp pays for medically necessary treatment of your work injury when the carrier authorizes it. A few Florida rules shape what that care looks like:
- Authorization first. Providers must get the carrier’s authorization before treatment, except in an emergency.
- Larger items need express approval. Consultations, surgery, physical therapy procedures, X-rays or special tests costing more than $1,000 need express authorization, unless the carrier fails to respond within 10 days or it’s an emergency.
- Chiropractic limit. Chiropractic care is limited to 24 treatments or 12 weeks from the first chiropractic treatment, whichever comes first, unless the carrier authorizes more or the injury is catastrophic. Medical and physical therapy care can continue within the carrier’s authorization.
- One change of physician. You can make one written request to change physicians. The carrier must authorize an alternative within 5 days; if it doesn’t, you may choose the physician yourself.
- Mental or nervous injuries. Florida generally covers a mental or nervous injury only when it comes with a physical work injury that needs treatment, and it must be shown by a psychiatrist’s findings (F.S. 440.093). An attorney can explain how this applies.
Wage Benefits
If your authorized doctor keeps you from working, or limits what you can do, workers’ comp may pay part of your lost wages. The amount and how long it lasts depend on your average weekly wage, your work restrictions and whether your injury is temporary or permanent. Your adjuster can explain your rate, and the Division of Workers’ Compensation’s Employee Assistance Office can answer questions about the process.
Deadlines to Know
- 30 days: report the injury to your employer.
- 2 years: the general deadline to file a petition for benefits, measured from when you knew or should have known the injury was work related.
- 1 year from the last benefit: payment of benefits or authorized treatment extends the petition deadline for 1 year from that date.
If Your Claim Is Denied or Delayed
Disputes in Florida go through a petition for benefits to the Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims. Before that, the Division of Workers’ Compensation’s Employee Assistance Office may help resolve problems between you and the carrier. Because deadlines and evidence rules matter, consider talking with a workers’ compensation attorney early if your claim is disputed.
How East Coast Injury Clinic Fits In
Once the carrier authorizes care, our team can treat your work injury under one roof: chiropractic care, physical therapy, and evaluation by our occupational and sports medicine physicians. We request authorization from your carrier, document your diagnosis, treatment and work status, and provide return-to-work evaluations, MMI determinations and impairment ratings where indicated.
To get started, call us with your claim number and your adjuster’s name and phone number, and we’ll contact the carrier to request authorization. Read more about workers’ comp chiropractic care in Jacksonville. Treatment and recovery time vary from person to person, and we’ll tell you honestly if another specialist is a better fit.
Our Jacksonville Clinics
Our clinics treat injured workers from across Duval County. The Deerwood clinic is at 10550 Deerwood Park Blvd, Suite 609, Jacksonville, FL 32256, near J. Turner Butler Blvd (JTB), I-295 and Southside Blvd, a short drive from the St. Johns Town Center area. The North Jacksonville clinic is at 13453 N Main St, Suite 302, Jacksonville, FL 32218, on N Main St north of I-295, on the same side of the St. Johns River as the Blount Island and Dames Point terminals. Both clinics are open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Call (904) 513-3954 or request an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to report a work injury in Florida?
You should report it to your employer as soon as possible and no later than 30 days after the injury, or 30 days after you learn it’s work related. Late reporting can bar your claim unless an exception applies.
Can I choose my own doctor for workers’ comp in Florida?
Not at first. The employer’s carrier selects and authorizes your treating providers. You can make one written request to change physicians, and the carrier must authorize an alternative within 5 days. If it doesn’t, you may choose the physician yourself.
How many chiropractic visits does Florida workers’ comp cover?
Florida limits chiropractic care to 24 treatments or 12 weeks from the first chiropractic treatment, whichever comes first, unless the carrier authorizes more or the injury is catastrophic.
Does workers’ comp pay for physical therapy?
Yes, when it’s medically necessary and authorized by the carrier. Physical therapy procedures costing more than $1,000 need express authorization unless the carrier doesn’t respond within 10 days.
What is the deadline to file a workers’ comp claim in Florida?
A petition for benefits is generally due within 2 years of when you knew or should have known the injury was work related. Payment of benefits or authorized treatment extends that deadline for 1 year from the last payment or treatment. Ask an attorney about your specific dates.
Is a mental health injury covered by Florida workers’ comp?
Generally only when it comes with a physical work injury that needs treatment, and it must be supported by a psychiatrist’s findings under F.S. 440.093. An attorney can explain how the rule applies to you.
I’m a federal employee. Does Florida workers’ comp apply?
No. Federal civilian employees are covered by the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) under FECA, which has different forms and rules. See our federal OWCP guide.
Do I need a lawyer for a workers’ comp claim?
Not always, but deadlines, authorization disputes and benefit denials can be complex. If your claim is denied or delayed, talking with a Florida workers’ compensation attorney is a reasonable step. We’re a medical provider and don’t give legal advice.
