Hurt at Work in Tampa? Your Employer Has Lawyers. You Should Too.
Workers' Compensation Attorney Tampa & Hillsborough County
Florida workers' comp law is built to protect injured workers — but the insurance company's goal is to pay as little as possible, as fast as possible. Attorney Anna Katherine Stone has spent more than 20 years fighting that dynamic for injured workers across Tampa, Hillsborough County, and the surrounding area.
20 Years of Florida Workers' Comp Experience on Your Side
When you're hurt on the job, you're not just dealing with a physical injury — you're dealing with an employer who may be downplaying what happened and an insurance adjuster whose job is to limit your claim. Anna Katherine Stone has handled Florida workers' compensation cases for more than two decades. She holds an Avvo rating of 8.4 and represents injured workers in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Ocala and Marion County, and beyond — as a solo practitioner, she's the attorney who works your case from start to finish.
At Injury Florida Law Firm, you're not passed off to a paralegal after the intake call. You get direct access to an attorney who knows Florida workers' comp law and knows how insurance carriers operate.
Protecting Florida’s Injured Workers
Workers' Compensation Claims We Handle in Tampa & Hillsborough County
From first-time filings to denied claims and complex workplace injuries, we represent injured workers at every stage of the process. Explore the areas we handle below, or call us directly if you're not sure where your situation fits.
How Florida Workers' Compensation Claims Work
Florida's workers' compensation system has specific rules — and specific deadlines. Missing a step can cost you benefits you've already earned. Here's how the process works and where we step in.
Step 1:
Report the Injury Immediately
Florida law requires you to report a work injury to your employer within 30 days. Waiting too long — or assuming your employer will handle it — can result in a denied claim. Report it in writing whenever possible and keep a copy.
Step 2:
Your Employer Files the First Report of Injury
Once you report the injury, your employer is required to notify their insurance carrier. The carrier then has 7 days to either pay or deny your first installment of benefits. If they don't respond, that's a violation — and something we can act on.
Step 3:
Treatment Through an Authorized Treating Physician
In Florida, the workers' comp insurance carrier generally controls which doctors you see. You have the right to request a one-time change of physician. If the authorized doctor downplays your injury, you also have the right to request an independent medical examination — a right many injured workers don't know they have.
Step 4:
Wage Replacement and Ongoing Benefits
While you're unable to work, Florida workers' comp provides wage replacement benefits — typically two-thirds of your average weekly wage. If your injury results in a permanent impairment, you may be entitled to additional benefits. The carrier will look for reasons to cut benefits off early. We watch for that.
Step 5:
Settlement or Hearing
Many Florida workers' comp cases resolve through a negotiated lump-sum settlement. If the carrier disputes your claim, your case may proceed to a hearing before a Judge of Compensation Claims. We prepare for both outcomes from day one.
What Benefits Can You Recover Under Florida Workers' Comp?
Florida workers' compensation covers more than just your immediate medical bills. Depending on the severity of your injury and how long you're out of work, you may be entitled to:
- Medical treatment, including emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, and prescription medications, covered in full by the insurance carrier
- Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits at approximately two-thirds of your average weekly wage while you're unable to work
- Temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits if you can return to work in a limited capacity but are earning less than before the injury
- Permanent impairment benefits if your injury results in a lasting functional limitation, calculated using Florida's impairment rating guidelines
- Vocational rehabilitation if your injury prevents you from returning to your previous job and retraining is medically appropriate
If your employer or their carrier is disputing any of these benefits, or trying to end them before you've fully recovered, that is exactly the situation where having an attorney changes the outcome. We handle
denied and disputed claims for injured workers across Hillsborough County.
The Insurance Company's Doctor Said You're Fine. Now What?
One of the most common points of conflict in Florida workers' comp cases is the independent medical examination, or IME. The carrier has the right to send you to a doctor of their choosing — but that doctor's findings are not the final word on your condition.
Florida law gives injured workers the right to challenge IME findings and, in some situations, to obtain a second opinion. If the authorized treating physician has released you to full duty before you feel capable of returning, or the IME doctor has assigned an impairment rating you believe is too low, we can help you push back through the proper legal channels.
The insurance company has a team working to minimize your payout. You should have someone working just as hard to protect your claim.
Construction Injuries in Tampa Require a Different Level of Attention
Construction is one of the most injury-prone industries in Florida, and workers' comp claims in the construction sector come with added complexity — multiple employers on a single job site, independent contractor misclassification, and OSHA overlap all affect how a claim proceeds.
If you were hurt on a construction site in Tampa or Hillsborough County, the question of who is responsible and who is required to cover your benefits isn't always straightforward. We represent construction workers in Tampa-area workers' comp cases and can help you understand whether additional claims beyond workers' comp may apply to your situation.
Thinking About Settling Your Workers' Comp Claim? Read This First.
Insurance carriers often push early settlement offers on injured workers who are still recovering and running out of income. Once you accept a settlement and sign off, you generally cannot go back for more — even if your condition worsens.
Before you accept anything, talk to us. We help Tampa-area workers evaluate settlement offers against the full value of their claim, including future medical costs and long-term wage loss. A settlement that looks fair today may leave you without coverage for treatment you'll need next year.
Testimonials
What Tampa-Area Workers Say About Working With Us
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"Katherine Stone is easily one of the best attorneys in the area. Her vast knowledge, communication & resources are unmatched. HIGHLY recommend!!"
-Sara Poppleton
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"Katherine works hard for her clients and helps her clients understand the process and explains the law in a way the client can understand. Her staff is very helpful too.."
-Robert Stucky
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"Katherine helped me when I was feeling hopeless with my disability case. I could never thank her enough for her representation."
-Deborah Wilson
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"Thank you Ms. Stone. She is a wonderful lawyer who always keeps you inform. She represented me twice and won twice. If you are looking for a good lawyer make sure you call her."
-John Velazquez
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Workers' Comp Questions from Tampa & Hillsborough County Clients
How do I find a workers' comp attorney in Tampa, FL?
Start by looking for an attorney who focuses specifically on workers' compensation — not a general practice firm that handles it occasionally. Anna Katherine Stone has spent more than 20 years representing injured workers in Tampa and Hillsborough County. Consultations are free, and you pay nothing unless we recover benefits for you.
What does a workers' comp lawyer do in Florida?
A workers' comp attorney helps you file your claim correctly, ensures deadlines are met, challenges denied benefits, negotiates with the insurance carrier, and represents you at hearings before a Judge of Compensation Claims if needed. In Florida, the insurance company controls many parts of the process — having an attorney levels the playing field.
Can I get workers' comp if I was hurt on the job in Hillsborough County?
Yes. Florida's workers' compensation law covers most employees injured while performing work duties, regardless of fault. If your employer has four or more employees — or is in the construction industry with even one employee — they are required to carry workers' comp coverage. We serve injured workers throughout Hillsborough County, including Tampa, and can help you determine whether you have a valid claim.
What if my claim is denied?
You can contact Florida's Employee Assistance Office for free help, or file a Petition for Benefits with the Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims to formally dispute the denial. An attorney can also help identify whether the denial was based on a paperwork issue, a disputed causation argument, or something else.
How long does a workers' comp case take in Florida?
It depends on the severity of the injury, whether the claim is disputed, and how quickly you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). Straightforward claims can resolve in a few months. Disputed or complex cases can take a year or more, particularly if they proceed to a hearing. We give our clients clear, realistic timelines from the start — not guesswork.
How soon do I need to report a work injury in Florida?
Within 30 days of the injury — or within 30 days of when you knew or reasonably should have known it was work-related, which matters for injuries that develop gradually. Missing this window is one of the most common reasons legitimate claims get denied, so report in writing even if you think your supervisor already knows.
How long do I have to file a workers' comp claim?
Generally two years from the date of injury to file a Petition for Benefits. There's also a separate "gap" rule: if a full year passes with no authorized medical treatment and no compensation payment, your claim can become time-barred even within that two-year window. Both deadlines matter, and they're calculated independently.
Is my employer required to carry workers' comp insurance?
Most non-construction employers must carry coverage once they have four or more employees. Construction employers generally must carry coverage with even one employee. If you're not sure whether your employer is covered, we can check.
How much does workers' comp pay if I can't work at all?
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits generally pay two-thirds (66⅔%) of your average weekly wage, up to the state's annual maximum, for up to 104 weeks or until you reach maximum medical improvement, whichever comes first. Your average weekly wage is typically based on your earnings in the 13 weeks before the injury.
Can I choose my own doctor?
Generally no — treatment has to come from a physician authorized by your employer or their insurance carrier, except in emergencies. Florida law does give you the right to request a one-time change of physician, but it has to be requested correctly to count.
Can I be fired for filing a workers' comp claim?
No. Florida law prohibits terminating an employee for filing or attempting to file a workers' compensation claim. Your employer also isn't required to hold your exact job open while you recover, which is a separate issue worth discussing if you're facing a long recovery.
What if a third party — not my employer — caused my injury on the job?
If someone other than your employer or a coworker caused your injury (a negligent driver during a delivery, a defective piece of equipment, a subcontractor on a job site), you may have a separate personal injury claim against that party in addition to your workers' comp benefits. That claim runs on its own two-year deadline, independent of your workers' comp filing deadline.
Reviewed by Attorney Anna Katherine Stone, 20+ years of Florida legal experience.