A significant percentage of your life is spent at work, earning and providing for your loved ones. Between working under harsh conditions and laboring long hours, accidents in the workplace are bound to happen. It’s devastating to suffer an illness or injury because of a workplace accident – after all, a severe on-the-job injury means you won’t be able to perform your work duties, and no work means no pay.
If you have been injured at work or in the course of doing your duties on the job, seek the services of our Griffin workers’ compensation lawyers. In times of hardship, recovering the benefits and compensation you are owed is often the only consolation. When you work with Griffin workers’ comp lawyers from the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition, you can feel confident your interests are in good hands. We are knowledgeable and have decades of experience representing injured workers.
Luckily, Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws do provide injured workers with legal remedies. This applies whether you’ve suffered a temporary or permanent disability. One thing a victim in workplace accidents can count on, your employer/their insurance carrier might not want to give you the fair treatment you deserve. Besides, Georgia’s workers’ comp laws are complicated, and you may have grounds to lodge a third-party claim, which can make your case even more complex.
Call us today at 470-518-5026 to schedule a free initial case review with one of our Griffin workers injury attorneys.
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What is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a state-governed insurance system designed for the sole purpose of protecting employees and employers in the event of workplace accidents and injuries. As part of this insurance system, injured workers can receive benefits if they suffer illnesses or injuries because of a workplace accident.
Georgia’s workers’ comp system does not assign fault for workplace injuries, so it doesn’t matter who was at fault; the injured worker is always eligible for benefits regardless of the circumstance of the fault of any workplace injury.
What Should I Do if I Suffer an Injury on the Job?
As a workplace injury victim, it can be challenging to think further than the next few minutes. You might have sustained a severe injury, and the only thing on your mind will probably be your health and wellbeing. Yet, the actions you take in the moments and days after suffering a workplace injury can make a significant impact on your workers’ compensation claim. Take the followings steps after a work-related injury for your best chance at speedy recovery of workers’ compensation benefits.
- Tell your employer about your injury.
- Get medical attention (with an authorized physician) as soon as you can and follow your doctor’s instructions.
- Start and keep a written record of your injury and symptoms.
- Take photographs of your injury.
- File a workers’ compensation claim with the assistance of a workers’ comp attorney.
- Rest and recuperate.
What are the Most Common Workplace Accident Injuries?
Virtually any type of work-related accident or injury may entitle you to Georgia’s workers’ comp benefits. 10 Common injuries we see at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition include:
- Brain injuries
- Neck/back injuries
- Amputations
- Hearing loss
- Auto accident while traveling on business
- Construction accidents
- Fractures
- Occupational illness
- Slip and Fall injuries
- Accidents while working with machinery or tools.
These injuries can change your life forever. They may not only cause physical pain but disabilities as well. And medical bills can be astronomical and ongoing. Our Griffin workers’ compensation lawyers can make sure you recover the full benefits you are due for all your injuries.
Why Should I Hire a Griffin, GA Workers’ Comp Lawyer?
It’s not necessary to work with a workers’ compensation attorney when claiming workers’ comp benefits, but injured workers could benefit immensely from doing so. Following are some of the ways the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition lawyers can assist with your claim:
- Ensure all steps are completed correctly and per the set time limits
- Negotiate with your employers’ insurance company
- Appeal you denied claim
- Make sure you recover the full workers’ compensation benefits you are due
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Griffin, GA Workers Comp Lawyer?
A significant concern for injured workers is the cost of hiring a Griffin workers’ compensation lawyer. Fortunately, the Griffin workers’ compensation attorneys at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition take on cases on a no-win-no-fee basis/contingency fee.
The contingency fee for workers’ comp claims in Georgia is capped at 25%. At the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition, we know that you might not be in a position to afford to pay our legal fees upfront. That’s precisely why we’ll take your case on a contingency fee basis.
What Should I Do if My Workers Compensation Claim is Denied?
If your employer or their insurance provider denies your claim for benefits, don’t panic. There are still options available to you. You can always appeal and request a hearing with the State Board of Workers Compensation. However, injured workers who have had their claims rejected have a limited time to protest the status of their claims. It is crucial that you seek expert legal assistance as soon as possible.
What Responsibility Does the Employee Have in Filing a Workers Comp Claim?
Employee Responsibilities
- Reporting Injuries and Illnesses: Employees are responsible for alerting their immediate supervisors or employers when they get hurt on the job so that they can complete and file the first report of injury. Besides, an employer should request a copy of this report and check it for accuracy.
- Resuming work after recovery: Once an employee has made a full recovery after an on-the-job injury and they are able to resume working, they are required to inform their employer and insurance carrier through a written notice.
- Maintaining error-free records: Employers should monitor and keep all necessary forms and documents from their employer, attorneys, authorized doctor(s), and workers’ compensation providers during the entire claims process.
- Cooperating with their insurance carrier: The insurance company may request an employee to provide or avail certain documents. They may also request the employee to get medical treatment from an independent doctor. Employees should cooperate and comply with any requests made by their insurance company.
- Being Honest: An employee should avoid providing false or misleading information. They are required to be honest throughout the whole claims process.
What Responsibility Does the Employer Have?
- Completing and filing the First Report of Injury: An employer needs to create and file the first report of injury document and forward the same to the claims administrator or workers’ compensation insurance company upon completion.
- Make provisions for temporary or permanent impairment: If your impairments prevent you from doing your job duties, your employer should make special provisions to accommodate your disability.
- Work with investigators: Your employer is required to work hand in hand with investigative parties and avail all documents at their request.
- Welcoming back recovered employees: It’s an employer’s duty to allow employees back to work after recuperating.
- Collaborating with the state’s workers’ compensation board: Employers have a duty to help the State Workers’ Compensation Board avoid dishonest and false claims.
Can I be Fired For Claiming a Workers Comp Claim?
No!
Many workers in Griffin and throughout Georgia are initially afraid to file for the benefits they are entitled to because they are afraid it will cost them their jobs. Georgia has strict laws against this type of retaliation, and the Griffin workers’ comp attorneys at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition will make sure you are treated fairly and have a job to get back to after filing for workers’ compensation benefits and once you’ve recovered.
Is There a Time Limit to File a Workers Comp Claim in Griffin, Georgia?
Third-party personal injury claims in Georgia and workers’ compensation claims do share a common element. There are strict deadlines for filing your claim and reporting your injury:
- 30 days after the date of the injury to report the injury to your direct supervisor or employer
- 1 year after the date of the injury to lodge your workers’ compensation claim
If you fail to adhere to these time limits, you risk being barred from seeking benefits for your work-related injuries.
Can I Sue my Employer?
No. Under Georgia law, if an employer has workers’ comp coverage for workplace injuries and an employee files for these benefits after an injury, the general rule is that the employee cannot sue the employer.
Can an Independent Contractor File a Workers Comp Claim?
Georgia’s law does not require employers to provide independent contractors with workers’ compensation coverage. Therefore, as a general rule, if you are indeed an independent contractor, you cannot file a workers’ comp claim.
However, some employees are misclassified, and even though you may not be a regular w2-type worker, you may still be able to qualify for Georgia’s worker’s comp benefits.
What is My Griffin, GA Workers Compensation Claim Worth?
Typically, workers’ compensation benefits will pay for the following:
- All your medical bills, including hospital stays, surgeries, medication, etc. (with authorized treating physicians)
- Any rehab costs
- Any necessary travel expenses related to the treatment of your injury
- A percentage of your lost wages
- Your indemnity/lost wages benefits, which will be two-thirds of your average weekly wage (with a cap of $575 per week)
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits & an additional amount the authorized treating doctor issues a disability rating in compliance with the American Medical Association Guidelines
Should I Contact a Griffin Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
As soon as possible after you’ve suffered an injury or illness on the job, you should contact an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer. To use our expert legal services, call the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition at 470-518-5026 . We offer free initial case reviews.
