Mid August signifies the beginning of the school year. Both teachers and students will report to class for the duration of the year. Teachers spend the majority of the summer lesson planning for their respective classes. Despite the careful thought and planning, injuries are commonplace at school.
Injured Teachers Benefits
Teachers are injured everyday at school, whether it is a slip and fall because of a water spill in the hallway, or whether it be a student accidentally tripping their respected faculty member. A teacher that sustains a workplace accident will receive all benefits available under the Workers Compensation law regardless of fault. The definition of school is not limited to the physical grounds of the school, it may include: field trips, athletic events, picnics, parent-teacher conferences. Teachers are afforded the same benefits under the Workers Compensation Law as any individual injured at the workplace would be.
Public School Teachers
Each individual public school is the member of a School Board. Each School Board purchases a Workers Compensation Insurance policy, which provides for medical care, medical treatment, and lost wage benefits. An injured teacher should report the accident as soon as it occurs. The proper party to discuss the claim with would be human resources at the School Board, or a superior, such as a dean or someone in a principal capacity. Lastly, this individual should immediately request medical care, and make sure that an incident report is filled out.
Private School Teachers
Private school teachers are afforded the same workers compensation benefits as public school teachers are in Florida. Private School teachers commonly are employed at for-profit institutions, and as such, the owners of the school will usually purchase a Workers’ Compensation policy. An injured teacher should report any injury immediately to a supervisor at the school. Once again, a private school teacher should request medical treatment immediately after the accident, and ensure that an incident report is filled out.
Although the beginning of the school year is a hectic time, teachers must ensure that accidental injuries are treated. The best course of action is to report the injury immediately, whether it is a public or private school teacher. It is likewise important for a teacher to document all of the injuries that occurred.
Incident Reports
An incident report must be filled out to ensure that the injury was documented within 30 days of the accident. An injury may go untreated without proper documentation evidencing an accident while at school or engaging in a school-sanctioned activity.
At Lyle B. Masnikoff and Associates, P.A we will fight to get you the medical or wage benefits you are entitled to under the law. Employers and Insurance Companies have professionals working for them, it‘s time for you to protect your rights. There are no fees or costs until you recover.
