How Does Workers’ Compensation Work in Georgia?
Riah Greathouse, Esq. · May 15, 2022One of the biggest worries for employees is that they’ll suffer an injury while on the job. An injury can lead to not being able to perform your duties properly, or missing time from work. In addition, you could have medical bills and long-term pain.
Workers’ compensation is mandatory for any employer with three or more employees, but it’s not uncommon for employers to try to avoid giving workers this benefit.
If you need a workers’ compensation attorney to help you with your claim, the experienced team at Greathouse Trial Law can help. First, let’s take a look at what workers’ compensation is, what it covers, and more.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance program that your employer pays into to cover any possible injuries or accidents on the job. All employers with three or more employees must pay into workers’ compensation in the state of Georgia.
Workers’ compensation law provides injured workers with access to rehabilitation services, medical help, and income benefits should they become injured while working. These benefits help injured parties return to their place of employment. They can also apply in cases where a worker died due to their injury.
A workers’ compensation lawyer can help with filing a claim, getting access to benefits, and deal with the insurance companies so that you can focus on your recovery.
What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?
Workers’ compensation benefits include the following:
Any type of repetitive stress injury, such as tendonitis, that might develop because of poor ergonomics at the employee’s place of work.
Ongoing medical care in cases where an injured employee has to receive treatment over an extended period of time.
All missed wages, both past and future, to allow an employee to take time away to recover from their injuries. This type of benefit ends once the employee returns to their job.
Temporary and permanent disability benefits when a work injury causes the disability.
Death benefits and funeral costs should the employee die as a result of the workplace incident. In Georgia, death benefits provide all dependents with two-thirds of the average weekly wage for the decedent.
How Do I File a Claim?
In Georgia, the State Board of Workers’ Compensation handles all workers’ compensation claims. Any injured party can call or write this board to file a claim. Once filed, the board will review the claim, request additional information if needed, and eventually make a final determination in the case.
Although you can file a claim on your own, you should instead seek out the services of a qualified workers’ compensation attorney to help you with your case. Not only will a workers’ compensation lawyer have years of experience filing claims on behalf of their clients, but they’ll also be able to take additional steps that you won’t know how to do to maximize your claim.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
One thing that a workers’ compensation lawyer can do that you can’t necessarily do is conduct an investigation. An attorney will be able to collect and gather evidence, present your case in the best possible light, and fight for the highest benefits possible for you.
Along with that, a workers’ compensation attorney will be able to work directly with the insurance companies on your behalf. Unfortunately, it is common for companies to fight the workers’ compensation process. Even when claims do go through, many insurance companies try to cover as little as possible. If you file your claim on your own, you run the risk of your claim being denied or receiving a minimal amount of benefits.
Have you tried searching for “workers’ compensation attorney near me” but don’t know where to start? The workers’ compensation attorneys at Greathouse Trial Law are here to help.
Greathouse Trial Law Can Help
The attorneys at Greathouse Trial Law know the ins and outs of workers’ compensation law. If you’ve run into difficulties at any stage of the claim process, we can help. We’re proud to serve the greater Atlanta area with our experienced workers’ compensation legal team.
Whether you’re getting started on your claim or find yourself in the appeals process, we’re here for you. We offer free consultations and pride ourselves on our high Google and Avvo ratings. No case is too complex for us, and no problem you have is too big or small.
Call Greathouse Trial Law at (678) 310-2827, or fill out our online form now to get started with a workers’ compensation lawyer today. We serve Atlanta, GA, and the surrounding suburbs.
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