Before benefits begin, how long is the waiting period for Workers' Compensation disability benefits in Florida?

In Florida, the waiting period for Workers' Compensation disability benefits is established as seven days. This means that an employee must be unable to work for a consecutive period of seven days due to a work-related injury or illness before they are eligible to start receiving these benefits. This waiting period is significant as it ensures that the employee has a confirmed loss of wages that coincides with the duration of their incapacity to work.

Additionally, it's important to recognize that once the waiting period is satisfied and the employee is eligible for benefits, they will receive compensation for the time lost. If the employee's disability extends beyond 21 days, the waiting period days are then compensated retroactively, meaning they will receive payment for the first seven days that were initially unpaid.

The reason for a waiting period is to prevent overflow of claims for minor injuries that do not result in a significant impact on the worker's ability to earn income. Hence, seven days is considered a balance between allowing for periods of recovery and ensuring that the system is not overwhelmed by brief absences due to less serious injuries.