Injured workers in Daytona Beach are entitled to have the cost of employer provided health benefits included in lost wages, if the benefit is taken away

It is not uncommon to have employers in the Daytona Beach area provide health insurance for their employees. These benefits can be paid in full or in part by an employer to allow employees access to health care through an employer's group policy.  This is an incentive to attract employees to Volusia County, including Daytona, Ormond and Flagler Beach.  However, if an employee is injured on the job and is losing time from work, sometimes the employers will stop paying their portion of health insurance for that injured worker.  Usually this is an issue when an employee is not drawing a pay check directly from the employer, but is receiving workers' compensation checks.  In the event that an employer stops contributing its portion of health insurance benefits, the Workers' Compensation carrier must add the amount of money the employer contributed to the injured workers average weekly wage (AWW) calculation.  For example, assume an employee's AWW was $350.00 per week.  While working, the employer provided health insurance at its expense which cost $25.00 per week.  If the employer no longer provides this contribution to health insurance, then the injured worker's AWW will be adjusted by $25.00 making the new AWW $400.00.

If you have been injured on the job and have questions regarding your AWW or any other questions about your workers' compensation case, please contact Johnson & Gilbert, P.A. at 1-800-556-8890 for a free consultation.