Florida Workers Comp Guide
The Florida workers comp process has a defined order — report, treat, file, wait — and understanding it before you're in the middle of it makes each step less stressful.
How to File a Claim in Florida
The first step is always notifying your employer, in writing if possible, as soon as reasonably practical after the injury.
- Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible
- Seek medical treatment and inform the provider it's work-related
- Your employer files a First Report of Injury with their insurer
- File your own claim within Florida's deadline — see below
- Cooperate with the insurer's investigation and any requested exams
Filing Deadline and Waiting Period
Florida's general filing deadline is 2 years from the date of injury, and there's a 7-day waiting period before wage-replacement benefits begin. See the full filing deadline guide for tolling rules and what happens if you miss it.
What Happens After You File
Filing doesn't mean the process is over — it means the insurer's clock starts. Keep records of every communication from this point forward.
Do You Need an Attorney in Florida?
Florida attorneys work on contingency for workers comp cases, meaning there's no upfront cost to have one review your claim — worth doing even if you're not sure you need full representation. Florida caps attorney contingency fees at Declining tiered formula (~20% on first tier, lower on remainder), per Fla. Stat. §440.34.