New data suggests that slightly over 40% of the workers’ compensation claims filed in the state of Florida were refused by insurers, even though a good portion of the claims were made by first responders and healthcare professionals working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to data collected by the office of state chief financial officer Jimmy Patronis, nearly 12,000 workers’ compensation claims had been filed as of July 31, 2020.

However, more than 43% of “indemnity” claims were denied by insurers. Most of the denials – 62%, the data found – were made by private insurers that offer coverage to employers in Florida.

As “essential” services like hospitals, healthcare clinics and grocery and home improvement stores remained open during the pandemic, it was unsurprising when the data revealed that first responders and healthcare workers filed the greatest number of workers’ compensation indemnity claims related to COVID-19.

The group accounted for over 65% of the total claims made in the state as of July 31, 2020.