Q: When will I get my first workers’ compensation check?

This is a very tricky question, and unfortunately there is no simple answer. First, in order to qualify for the payment of a check in worker's compensation in Florida, you have to have documented evidence of disability from an authorized treating doctor. When referring to the first check following the injury or following a point in time where the injury results in an inability to return to work, you first have to be out of work for three weeks. Your first payment of workers' compensation is not due to you until you have been unable to work or disabled for 21 days.

Two weeks after you're out of work for three weeks, you get paid for weeks two and three. One week later you get paid for the first week. After you make it through the land mine of the first three weeks, then things become normal and you're paid bi-weekly.