Fighting for Injured Workers Across St. Petersburg & Pinellas County for Over Four Decades
When you are hurt on the job, everything is supposed to be simple: report the injury, see the doctor, and receive your benefits while you heal. In reality, injured workers across St. Petersburg find their claims delayed, underpaid, or flatly denied. For more than four decades, the workers’ compensation attorneys at Jorgensen Law, P.A. have fought for Pinellas County workers — and we know every tactic employers and insurance carriers use to shortchange a claim.
Your consultation is free, and you pay no fee unless we win. Call (727) 347-7733 or send us a message today.
Florida’s No-Fault Workers’ Compensation System
Florida’s workers’ compensation system (Chapter 440, Florida Statutes) is no-fault: you do not have to prove your employer did anything wrong to receive benefits. If you were injured in the course of your job — a fall from scaffolding, a back injury from lifting, repetitive trauma, or an occupational illness — you are generally entitled to medical care and wage replacement, regardless of who caused the accident.
In exchange, you generally cannot sue your employer for a workplace injury. That trade-off makes the benefits themselves your lifeline — which is exactly why insurance carriers work so hard to limit them, and why having an attorney who handles these claims every day matters.
What to Do After a Work Injury in St. Petersburg
The steps you take in the first days after a workplace accident can make or break your claim:
- Report the injury to your employer within 30 days. Florida law (Fla. Stat. § 440.185) requires notice within 30 days of the accident or of a doctor connecting your condition to your work. Report it in writing and keep a copy — late reporting is one of the most common reasons claims are denied.
- Seek authorized medical care. In Florida, the insurance carrier — not you — chooses the treating doctor. Except in emergencies, treatment from an unauthorized doctor usually is not covered.
- Document everything. Photos of the scene, names of witnesses, copies of incident reports, and a daily symptom journal all strengthen your claim.
- Follow the doctor’s restrictions exactly. Carriers use missed appointments and ignored restrictions to cut off benefits.
- Talk to an attorney before accepting any settlement. Once you settle, you generally cannot reopen the claim — even if your condition gets worse.
Workers’ Comp Benefits You May Be Entitled To
Florida workers’ compensation provides several distinct categories of benefits. Insurance carriers rarely volunteer everything you qualify for:
Curious what your claim could be worth? See our Florida workers’ comp settlement chart (2026).
| Benefit | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Medical care | All authorized treatment related to the injury — doctor visits, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, prescriptions, and mileage to appointments |
| Temporary Total Disability (TTD) | Roughly two-thirds of your average weekly wage while a doctor says you cannot work at all |
| Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) | Partial wage replacement when you can work with restrictions but earn less than before |
| Impairment benefits | Payments based on your permanent impairment rating once you reach maximum medical improvement |
| Permanent Total Disability (PTD) | Ongoing wage benefits when a work injury permanently prevents you from working — see our permanent disability page |
| Death benefits | Funeral expenses and dependency benefits for families after a fatal workplace accident (Fla. Stat. § 440.16) |
A serious work injury can also overlap with Social Security Disability benefits, and coordinating the two correctly protects the total amount your family receives. We handle both.
2026 Florida Workers’ Comp Benefits at a Glance
For work injuries on or after January 1, 2026, Florida’s maximum weekly compensation rate is $1,358 and the minimum is $20 (Fla. Stat. § 440.12(2)). The rate in effect on your date of accident applies to your claim.
| Benefit | How it is paid | How long | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Total Disability (TTD) | 66⅔% of your average weekly wage, up to $1,358/week (2026 injuries) | Until maximum medical improvement (MMI), subject to the cap on temporary benefits | § 440.15(2) |
| Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) | 80% of the difference between 80% of your average weekly wage and what you earn on light duty, up to the weekly max | Until MMI, subject to the cap on temporary benefits | § 440.15(4) |
| Impairment Income Benefits | 75% of your TTD rate (cut in half for any week you earn at or above your pre-injury wage) | 2 weeks per impairment point for 1–10%, 3 weeks for 11–15%, 4 weeks for 16–20%, 6 weeks for 21% and up | § 440.15(3) |
| Permanent Total Disability (PTD) | 66⅔% of your average weekly wage, plus supplemental benefits | Generally to age 75 | § 440.15(1) |
| Death benefits | Funeral expenses up to $7,500; dependency benefits up to $150,000 total | — | § 440.16 |
Maximum rate: Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation, maximum compensation rate table.
The 7-day waiting period: wage benefits are not paid for the first seven days of disability unless you are disabled for more than 21 days. In that case, the first week is paid retroactively (§ 440.12(1)).
Deadlines That Can End Your Claim
Two clocks start running the moment you are hurt. First, the 30-day reporting deadline: tell your employer within 30 days or the carrier will argue you forfeited benefits. Second, the two-year statute of limitations (Fla. Stat. § 440.19): a Petition for Benefits generally must be filed within two years of the injury — and once benefits have been paid, a new petition is generally due within one year of the last payment or authorized treatment.
Carriers track these dates precisely and deny claims the day they lapse. If your claim has gone quiet — checks stopped, calls unreturned — do not wait.
The 260-Week Rule Started With a St. Petersburg Firefighter
Read on its own, § 440.15 says temporary disability benefits stop after 104 weeks. Courts no longer apply that limit. In Westphal v. City of St. Petersburg, 194 So. 3d 311 (Fla. 2016), a St. Petersburg firefighter was still totally disabled and had not reached maximum medical improvement when his checks were cut off at 104 weeks. The Florida Supreme Court held that cutoff unconstitutional and revived the earlier 260-week limit. If an adjuster tells you your checks end at two years, have an attorney check the math first.
When Employers and Insurers Push Back
A denied claim is not the end — it is the beginning of the legal process. When a carrier denies or underpays, we file a Petition for Benefits with the Florida Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims (OJCC) and litigate the case before a workers’ compensation judge. Common disputes we win include claims denied as “not work-related,” pre-existing condition arguments, cut-off therapy or surgery authorizations, lowballed average weekly wage calculations, and carriers ignoring the one-time change of physician you are entitled to request.
It is also illegal for an employer to fire or threaten you for filing a workers’ compensation claim (Fla. Stat. § 440.205). If you have faced retaliation, tell us — it changes the case.
Worried about your job? Learn whether you can be fired while on workers’ comp in Florida and which benefits continue if you are.
Where Pinellas County Workers’ Comp Disputes Are Decided
When a carrier denies or underpays a claim, we file a Petition for Benefits (§ 440.192) with the Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims (OJCC). Claims from Pinellas County are heard in the OJCC’s St. Petersburg District, not in Tallahassee. Mediation is mandatory and is generally held within 130 days of the petition being filed (§ 440.25). If mediation doesn’t settle the case, a Judge of Compensation Claims decides it at a final hearing. There is no jury. Appeals go to the First District Court of Appeal.
Watch for the carrier’s 120-day rule. A carrier that starts paying while it investigates generally has 120 days to deny compensability. After that it waives the right to deny, unless it shows material facts that could not have been discovered with reasonable investigation (§ 440.20(4)).
Beyond Workers’ Comp: Third-Party Claims and Fatal Accidents
Workers’ compensation is usually your only remedy against your employer — but not against everyone. If a negligent driver hit you while you were working, a subcontractor dropped a load on you, or defective equipment caused your injury, you may have a separate personal injury claim against that third party on top of your comp benefits. These claims allow damages workers’ comp never pays, like pain and suffering.
And when a workplace accident takes a life, surviving families may be entitled to both workers’ comp death benefits and a wrongful death claim against responsible third parties. Because Jorgensen Law handles workers’ compensation and personal injury under one roof, nothing falls through the cracks.
Work Injuries We See Most in St. Petersburg
Pinellas County’s economy runs on industries where serious injuries are part of the job. We regularly represent construction and roofing crews hurt in falls and equipment accidents; nurses, aides, and hospital staff with lifting injuries; hotel, restaurant, and hospitality workers; marine, port, and boatyard workers; delivery drivers and warehouse staff; and office employees with repetitive-trauma injuries that carriers love to dispute.
The injuries themselves range from back and neck damage, torn rotator cuffs, and knee injuries to burns, crush injuries, hearing loss, and heat-related illness — a constant risk for anyone working outdoors in a Florida summer. Whatever the injury, the question is the same: did it happen in the course of your work? If yes, you have rights worth protecting.
Why Injured Workers in St. Petersburg Choose Jorgensen Law
We have represented injured workers across Pinellas County for more than four decades from our office at 4455 Central Ave in St. Petersburg. You work directly with your attorney — not a call center — and we know the local employers, carriers, and OJCC judges your case will involve.
Every workers’ compensation case is handled on a contingency fee. You pay nothing up front and no fee unless we recover benefits for you. The consultation is free, and there is no obligation.
This is the best law firm around. I highly recommend Jorgensen Law for any personal injury or workers comp claim. They explained the process clearly from day one, kept me updated regularly and fought hard to get me a great settlement much faster than I expected.
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Grady and Jill gave me amazing support on a difficult time, answered all questions rapidly, helped me get treatments and the support I needed. I highly recommend them!
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He told me up front what was going to happen and basically that’s what happened. They took care of everything. I’m totally grateful.
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Workers’ Compensation Results for Pinellas County Workers
Every case is different. Results depend on the facts and law of each case, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. See more results.
Who Handles Your Case
Jorgensen Law, P.A. is a family firm. Founder Sharon P. Jorgensen earned her J.D. from Stetson University College of Law and has been a member of The Florida Bar since 1985. She practices with Spencer J. Jorgensen and Grady R. Jorgensen from our office at 4455 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, and the same attorneys stay with your claim from the first call to the final hearing or settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to report a work injury in Florida?
You must report the injury to your employer within 30 days of the accident, or within 30 days of a doctor telling you your condition is work-related (Fla. Stat. § 440.185). A Petition for Benefits generally must be filed within two years of the injury date.
Can I choose my own doctor for workers’ comp in Florida?
Generally no. The insurance carrier selects the authorized treating physician, and unauthorized treatment is usually not covered except in emergencies. You do have the right to request a one-time change of physician — a powerful tool when used strategically.
How much does workers’ comp pay in Florida?
Temporary total disability benefits pay roughly two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to a state maximum, while a doctor keeps you out of work. Different rates apply for partial disability, impairment, and permanent total disability benefits.
Can I be fired for filing a workers’ comp claim in Florida?
No. Florida Statute § 440.205 makes it illegal for an employer to fire, threaten, or coerce a worker for filing or attempting to file a workers’ compensation claim. Retaliation can give rise to a separate lawsuit against the employer.
What should I do if my workers’ comp claim is denied?
Do not give up — denials are routine and often reversible. An attorney can file a Petition for Benefits with the Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims and litigate the denial before a workers’ compensation judge. Strict deadlines apply, so act quickly.
Do I need a lawyer for a workers’ comp claim?
If your claim is accepted, benefits are flowing, and you fully recover, you may not. But if benefits are denied, delayed, or cut off, you are pressured to return to work too soon, or you are offered a settlement, an attorney levels the field — at no up-front cost, with fees paid only from what is recovered.
What is the maximum workers’ comp check in Florida in 2026?
For injuries on or after January 1, 2026, the maximum weekly compensation rate is $1,358 (§ 440.12(2)). Temporary total disability pays 66⅔% of your average weekly wage up to that cap. If your average weekly wage is $1,500, for example, two-thirds would be $1,000, which is below the cap, so you would receive $1,000 a week.
How long can I receive temporary workers’ comp checks in Florida?
Temporary benefits stop when you reach maximum medical improvement. Under Westphal v. City of St. Petersburg (Fla. 2016), they can continue for up to 260 weeks, even though the statute still says 104.
The carrier paid me at first and now says my claim is denied. Can it do that?
Sometimes. A carrier that pays while it investigates generally has 120 days to deny. After that it waives the right to deny compensability, except for material facts it could not have discovered earlier (§ 440.20(4)). The timing of that denial matters, so bring us your paperwork.
I’m a federal employee in Pinellas County. Does Florida workers’ comp apply?
Usually not. Federal civilian employees, such as staff at the Bay Pines VA, are generally covered by the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (5 U.S.C. § 8101 et seq.), not Chapter 440. FECA has different forms and deadlines, so call us and we will tell you which system applies.
Speak With a St. Petersburg Workers’ Comp Attorney Today
You were doing your job when you got hurt — now let us do ours. Whether your claim was just denied, your checks stopped, or you simply want to know your rights before talking to the adjuster, the consultation is free and you pay no fee unless we win.
We proudly represent injured workers throughout Pinellas County — including Pinellas Park — and across the bay in Tampa and Hillsborough County.
Related reading: How much does workers’ comp pay in Florida? (2026 benefit guide) and can you choose your own workers’ comp doctor?
Legally reviewed by Sharon P. Jorgensen, Esq., Founder of Jorgensen Law, P.A., member of The Florida Bar since 1985. Last updated October 2026. This page provides general information, not legal advice for your situation.
