Workers' Compensation Attorney Serving Sarasota and Manatee County
When a work injury turns your life upside down, you need attorneys who know Florida's workers' comp system from every angle — including how insurers and employers try to minimize your claim. We've spent more than 40 years representing injured workers across Florida, and we're ready to fight for you in Sarasota County and beyond.
Why Sarasota Workers Trust Our Firm With Their Claims
We're not a referral operation or a high-volume mill. Our seven-attorney team handles workers' compensation exclusively on the claimant side, meaning we represent injured workers — never the insurance carriers. Two of our attorneys, Stephen Barbas and L. Gray Sanders, are Florida Bar Board Certified in Workers' Compensation, a distinction held by fewer than 1% of Florida attorneys. That depth of credential and experience matters when your employer's insurer is pushing back on your benefits.
What sets us apart for Sarasota and Manatee County clients:
- 40+ years of workers' compensation experience statewide
- Former defense and carrier-side attorneys who now represent injured workers — we know exactly how the other side operates
- Florida Bar Board Certified in Workers' Compensation: Stephen Barbas and L. Gray Sanders
- Bilingual attorneys (Spanish/English) at the partner level
- Kristen Emerson holds a nursing degree and brings direct medical knowledge to every injury claim
- Virtual and Zoom consultations available — no need to travel
Work Injuries We Handle for Sarasota County Employees
Florida's workers' compensation system covers a wide range of workplace injuries, but the insurance company's interests are rarely aligned with yours. Whether you suffered an acute injury on a job site or developed a condition over time, we build the strongest possible case from day one.
We represent Sarasota-area workers injured in situations including:
- Construction site accidents, falls, and equipment injuries
- Repetitive trauma and overuse injuries
- Workplace accidents involving machinery or vehicles
- Electrocution and electrical injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries from on-the-job incidents
- First responder injuries
- PTSD and psychological injuries arising from workplace events
- Pre-existing conditions aggravated by work activity
- Lost wages and medical benefits disputes
If you work near the Port of Manatee or in maritime industries, you may have additional rights under federal law. Our attorneys also handle Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act claims for dock workers and longshoremen in the region.
Serving Sarasota, Manatee County, and the Surrounding Region
Our firm is based in Tampa and St. Petersburg, and we serve clients throughout Florida — including Sarasota County, Manatee County, and the communities in between. Distance is not a barrier. We offer virtual consultations and can handle your case remotely from start to finish, so you never have to take time away from recovery to sit in a waiting room.
Sarasota workers facing denied claims, delayed medical care, or pressure to return to work before they're ready have the same rights as any Florida employee. We make sure those rights are enforced.
Comprehensive Home Protection
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Ready to Talk to a Sarasota Workers' Compensation Lawyer?
You don't have to figure this out alone. Our team has helped injured workers across Florida recover the benefits they're owed for more than four decades, and we're ready to do the same for you. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation — in English or Spanish.
What Florida Personal Injury Clients Ask Before They Call
Do I need a workers' comp attorney in Sarasota, or can I handle my claim on my own?
You have the legal right to file without an attorney, but insurance carriers have experienced adjusters and defense lawyers working against you from the start. Having a Board Certified workers' compensation attorney on your side significantly improves your chances of receiving full benefits — including medical care, lost wages, and a fair settlement.How much does it cost to hire a workers' compensation attorney in Sarasota?
Nothing upfront. Workers' compensation attorneys in Florida work on contingency, which means we only get paid if we recover benefits for you. Your initial consultation is completely free.What if my employer says I wasn't injured on the job?
Disputed claims are common, and they're exactly the situation where legal representation matters most. We investigate the facts, gather medical records and witness accounts, and present your case to the Florida Office of Judges of Compensation Claims if necessary.I work in Manatee County — can your firm help me too?
Yes. We represent injured workers throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties, as well as the broader Florida Gulf Coast region. We handle cases statewide and can meet with you virtually at a time that works around your schedule.What if my workers' comp claim was already denied?
A denial is not the end of your case. Florida law gives injured workers the right to contest a denial, and our attorneys handle disputed and denied claims regularly. The sooner you contact us after a denial, the more options we have to protect your rights.
The Attorneys Handling Your Personal Injury Case
Personal injury litigation at Barbas Nunez Sanders Butler & Hovsepian is led by three attorneys whose backgrounds bring distinct strengths to every case.
Kelly Barcia Nunez
Kelly Barcia Nunez is a Florida Bar Board Certified attorney and founding partner with more than 30 years of litigation experience. Her command of Florida injury law and her direct client communication style have made her one of the firm's most trusted advocates for accident victims.
L. Gray Sanders
L. Gray Sanders spent time on the defense side of civil litigation before joining the firm, which means he approaches every personal injury case understanding exactly how the opposing carrier will evaluate and contest it. That inside knowledge shapes case strategy from the first file review.
Kristen Emerson
Kristen Emerson holds a nursing degree alongside her law license. In personal injury cases involving serious physical injuries, disputed diagnoses, or contested medical causation, her clinical background is a concrete advantage — she understands what happened to your body, not just what the records say.
Someone Else's Negligence Shouldn't Cost You Everything. Let's Talk.
Florida's two-year statute of limitations means the window to act is real. Our personal injury attorneys are available for a free consultation — in English or Spanish — and we don't get paid unless you do. If you were injured in Tampa or anywhere across Florida, the conversation starts here.