Port St. Lucie Law Firm

Trusted workplace injury attorneys serving injured workers across Port St. Lucie and the Treasure Coast for over 20 years.

If you’ve been hurt at work in Port St. Lucie, you are dealing with a lot more than just the injury itself. Medical bills are piling up, your paycheck has stopped or been reduced, and the workers’ compensation insurance company is already asking for a recorded statement. If this sounds familiar, then it is time to contact an attorney.

The Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt is a Port St. Lucie, FL law firm that has spent more than two decades representing injured workers. We handle workers’ compensation and workplace injury claims exclusively, and we take every case on a contingency fee basis. Reach out for a free consultation.

Law Firm Port St. Lucie, FL

Workers’ compensation exists to provide benefits to employees who are injured on the job or develop conditions because of their work. In Florida, the system is no-fault. That means you do not have to prove that your employer did something wrong. If the injury happened while you were working, you are generally entitled to medical treatment, wage replacement, and other benefits under the law.

But the process is rarely simple. Insurance carriers look for reasons to deny or reduce claims. Having a Port St. Lucie law firm that understands how the system actually operates, and how to push back when the carrier does not cooperate, makes a real difference in the outcome.

Types of Cases We Handle in Port St. Lucie

Workplace injuries vary widely. Some are sudden and obvious. Others develop over weeks, months, or years of repetitive physical activity. Our Port St. Lucie attorneys handle claims across a broad range of industries and injury types, including:

• Workers’ compensation. This is the foundation of our practice. If you were injured at work or developed a condition tied to your job, Florida law may entitle you to medical care, wage benefits, and disability compensation. We manage every stage of the claims process and represent you if the carrier disputes your benefits.
• Construction accidents. Falls from scaffolding, equipment failures, and struck-by incidents are a regular occurrence on job sites in Port St. Lucie and St. Lucie County. These injuries tend to be severe, and the claims that follow are almost always contested by the carrier.
• Industrial accidents. Machinery malfunctions, explosions, chemical exposure, and heavy equipment injuries happen in warehouses, manufacturing plants, and processing facilities throughout the Treasure Coast. We have represented workers in these types of cases for more than 20 years.
• Back injuries. Herniated discs, spinal fractures, and chronic lumbar pain rank among the most commonly disputed categories in workers’ compensation. Insurers will often argue that the condition is preexisting or unrelated to work. We know how to challenge those denials and get the treatment authorized.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome. Repetitive hand and wrist motions can cause nerve damage that develops gradually over time. Filing a workers’ compensation claim for carpal tunnel requires detailed medical documentation connecting the condition to your job duties, and we help our clients build that evidence.
• Repetitive trauma injuries. Not every work injury happens in a single event. Overuse injuries to the shoulders, elbows, knees, and back qualify for workers’ compensation when they are tied to your employment, even when they develop gradually.
• Professional athlete injuries. Athletes who suffer work-related injuries face distinct challenges under Florida workers’ compensation law. Our attorneys have handled claims for physically demanding professions and understand the medical issues and procedural challenges that come with them.
• Workplace falls. Slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall incidents at work frequently result in fractures, torn ligaments, and spinal injuries. Reporting these accidents correctly and within the required timeframe is critical to preserving your claim.

Why Choose Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt as My Law Firm in Port St. Lucie, FL?

Attorneys Who Switched Sides to Represent Workers

Our firm was built with a single purpose: fighting for people who have been injured on the job. What makes the attorneys at Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt different is that the firm’s partners all started their careers representing insurance companies and employers. They saw how the system worked from the other side, and they chose to leave defense work to advocate for injured workers instead.

Eli A. Franks has represented injured workers since 2002 and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer-review designation available. He is licensed in four states, including Florida. Judd P. Koenig, the firm’s Managing Partner, graduated with honors from the UF Levin College of Law and has focused exclusively on claimant-side workers’ compensation since 2004. He also carries the AV Preeminent rating. Andrew S. Neuwelt holds a 10.0 Superb rating on Avvo and has represented injured workers since 2007.

The firm has recovered millions of dollars for its clients across Florida. If you need a work injury lawyer in Port St. Lucie, FL, we take every case on contingency. You pay nothing unless we recover benefits on your behalf.

What Is Important to Understand About a Workers’ Compensation Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Workers’ Compensation Cases

Florida’s workers’ compensation system does not work like a traditional personal injury lawsuit. You do not need to prove negligence. If you suffered an injury while performing your job duties, you are generally eligible for benefits regardless of who was at fault. That is how the system is designed under Florida Statute Chapter 440.

The types of benefits available to injured workers in Florida include:

• Medical treatment related to the workplace injury, including surgeries, prescriptions, physical therapy, and rehabilitation
• Temporary total disability benefits when you cannot work during your recovery
• Temporary partial disability benefits when you can work in a limited capacity but are earning less than before
• Impairment income benefits after you reach maximum medical improvement
• Permanent total disability benefits for injuries that prevent you from returning to any form of gainful work
• Mileage reimbursement for travel to and from authorized medical appointments

Each benefit type has its own eligibility criteria, calculation method, and duration limits.

What Are Important Aspects of a Workers’ Compensation Case?

A number of factors can determine whether your claim succeeds or stalls. Knowing what to expect from the beginning helps avoid mistakes that could cost you benefits.

• Reporting deadlines matter. Florida requires injured workers to notify their employer within 30 days of the accident or within 30 days of learning that a medical condition is work-related.
• The insurance company picks your doctor. You can request a one-time change, but the process has specific requirements.
• Independent medical examinations are frequently used by carriers to challenge your diagnosis or push you toward maximum medical improvement earlier than your treating physician recommends.
• Surveillance is common. Insurance adjusters may monitor your physical activities to argue that your injuries are not as serious as reported.
• A preexisting condition does not automatically disqualify your claim. If your job duties aggravated or worsened a preexisting issue, you may still be entitled to benefits.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, private industry employers in the United States reported approximately 2.5 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2024. Many of those injuries resulted in claims just like the ones we handle every day.

What Is the Workers’ Compensation Case Timeline?

Every case is different, but the general progression of a workers’ compensation claim in Florida tends to follow a recognizable pattern. Some cases resolve in a few months. Others can stretch over years.

• You report the injury to your employer, who is then responsible for reporting it to the workers’ compensation insurance carrier.
• The insurer authorizes an initial doctor visit and decides whether to accept or deny the claim.
• You receive medical treatment and, if unable to work, begin receiving temporary disability payments. Disputes over treatment, medications, or benefits often emerge during this phase.
• Your treating physician determines that you have reached maximum medical improvement, the point at which your condition has stabilized. Benefit types may change at this stage.
• If the carrier and claimant cannot reach an agreement, your attorney files a Petition for Benefits and the matter goes before a Judge of Compensation Claims for resolution.

What Should You Bring to Your Workers’ Compensation Consultation?

Gathering the right materials before your first meeting with an attorney helps us assess your situation quickly.

• A written account of how the injury happened, including the date, time, and location
• Medical records, doctor’s notes, or imaging results related to the condition
• Any letters or emails from your employer or the insurance company
• Recent pay stubs or wage records from the period before the injury occurred
• Denial letters, if the carrier has already disputed or rejected part of your claim

We’ll review these documents, explain your options under Florida law, and outline what comes next. The initial consultation is free, and there is no obligation.

What Are Important Florida Legal Resources for Workers’ Compensation Cases?

Florida’s workers’ compensation laws are codified in Chapter 440 of the Florida Statutes. The resources below can help you understand the legal framework that governs these claims.

• The Florida Bar certifies attorneys in workers’ compensation law, a distinction that reflects a demonstrated level of knowledge and experience in this area.
• OSHA’s worker safety page outlines federal workplace safety standards and explains the rights employees have when working conditions are unsafe.
• Under Florida Statute §440.19, workers’ compensation claims must generally be filed within two years from the date the employee knew or should have known the injury was work-related. Each payment of benefits or authorized medical treatment extends that deadline by one additional year.
• Florida follows a no-fault workers’ compensation model. Injured workers do not need to prove employer negligence. The injury must have arisen out of and in the course of employment.
• CDC’s NIOSH division publishes research on workplace injury prevention and occupational health risks across industries.
• These steps after an injury can help you avoid common early mistakes that could affect your claim.

Reach Out to Law Offices of Franks, Koenig & Neuwelt to Schedule a Consultation

If you’ve been hurt at work in Port St. Lucie, FL, you deserve attorneys who understand the workers’ compensation system from every angle. Our firm handles these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe no attorney fees unless we recover benefits for you. The initial consultation is free.

We represent injured workers throughout Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie County, and the Treasure Coast. Contact us to speak with an attorney about your case.

Work Injury Lawyers in Port St. Lucie