Workers' Compensation Attorney Serving St. Petersburg and Pinellas County
If you were hurt on the job in St. Petersburg, you have the right to workers' compensation benefits — and the right to an attorney who will fight to make sure you receive every dollar you're owed. At Barbas Nunez Sanders Butler & Hovsepian, we've been representing injured Florida workers for more than 40 years. We know how insurance carriers think because several of our attorneys spent years on the defense side before switching to represent workers like you. That experience changes how we build cases — and what we're able to recover.
Why St. Petersburg Workers Trust Our Firm
We serve clients throughout Pinellas County from our St. Petersburg office, and we've built our reputation on one thing: results for injured workers. Our team includes two Florida Bar Board Certified workers' compensation attorneys — a credential fewer than 1% of Florida lawyers hold. We also have a partner, Kristen Emerson, who earned a nursing degree before law school, giving our team a medical perspective on injury claims that most firms simply don't have.
- Board Certified in Workers' Compensation: Stephen Barbas and L. Gray Sanders
- 40+ years representing claimant-side workers' comp cases across Florida
- Former defense attorneys who now use insider knowledge to benefit injured workers
- Bilingual staff — Spanish-speaking attorneys available for St. Pete's Spanish-speaking community
- Recognized by Super Lawyers, Florida Legal Elite, Best Lawyers, and Avvo 10.0
- Seven attorneys, long-tenured staff, and a history of lasting client relationships
What a St. Pete Workers' Comp Lawyer Can Do for Your Claim
Florida's workers' compensation system is designed to move fast — and insurers count on injured workers not knowing their rights. A work injury attorney in St. Petersburg can step in immediately to make sure your claim is filed correctly, your medical care is authorized without unnecessary delays, and the insurance company isn't cutting corners on your benefits.
We handle every stage of the workers' comp process in Florida, including:
- Reporting your injury and making sure the claim is filed on time
- Securing authorization for the medical treatment you need
- Challenging unfair denials of benefits or inadequate medical referrals
- Recovering lost wages when an injury keeps you out of work
- Negotiating workers' comp settlements that reflect the full value of your claim
- Taking your case to a hearing before a Judge of Compensation Claims if necessary
Whether your injury happened on a construction site, at a warehouse, on the docks, or in an office, we represent workers across every industry in Pinellas County.
We Handle More Than Workers' Compensation
Our St. Petersburg clients often face more than one legal issue after a serious injury. If a third party — a contractor, a vehicle driver, a product manufacturer — contributed to your workplace accident, you may have a personal injury claim in addition to your workers' comp claim. We handle both.
We also represent St. Pete residents in:
- Personal injury cases including car accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall, and motorcycle accidents
- Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act claims for port and maritime workers
- Social Security Disability appeals when benefits have been denied
- Long-term disability denials
- Employment discrimination cases
- Estate planning for individuals and families
One firm, one relationship, and the full range of legal help you may need after a serious injury or life event.
Comprehensive Home Protection
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Serving Injured Workers Throughout Pinellas County
From downtown St. Petersburg to Clearwater, Largo, Pinellas Park, and the surrounding communities, we represent workers across all of Pinellas County. Our firm also serves clients in Tampa, Sarasota, Lakeland, and throughout Florida — in person or virtually, wherever you are.
If you were hurt at work and don't know where to turn, call us. The consultation is free, there's no obligation, and we'll tell you honestly what your claim is worth and what your options are.
What Florida Personal Injury Clients Ask Before They Call
Do I need a workers' comp attorney in St. Petersburg, or can I handle my claim on my own?
You can file a claim without an attorney, but insurance carriers have experienced legal teams working to limit what they pay out. Having a workers' comp attorney in St. Petersburg levels the playing field. We handle the paperwork, deadlines, and negotiations so you can focus on recovering.How much does it cost to hire a work injury lawyer in St. Petersburg?
Nothing upfront. We handle workers' compensation cases on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we recover benefits for you. Florida law also caps attorney fees in workers' comp cases, so there are no surprises.What if my workers' comp claim was denied in Pinellas County?
A denial is not the end of your case. Florida law gives injured workers the right to challenge a denial through a petition for benefits and a hearing before a Judge of Compensation Claims. We handle denied claims regularly and know how to build the record needed to overturn them.I was injured on the docks or at the port in St. Petersburg. Do I have a workers' comp claim?
Port and maritime workers are often covered under the federal Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act rather than Florida's state system. These claims follow different rules and typically offer broader benefits. Our firm handles LHWCA claims specifically, so we can evaluate which law applies to your situation.Can I see an attorney in St. Petersburg without coming into the office?
Yes. We offer virtual consultations by phone or Zoom for clients throughout Pinellas County and across Florida. If you prefer to meet in person, our St. Petersburg office is available for appointments. We make it as easy as possible to get started.
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.