Suffering an on-the-job injury can have disastrous ramifications, especially if it keeps you away from work temporarily or indefinitely. On top of physical harm, work-related injuries or illnesses in Georgia result in lost income due to time off work and costly medical expenses.
Luckily, most employees who get injured on the job qualify for medical benefits and indemnity (lost wages) benefits from their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider.
If you need help after sustaining a workplace injury, consult our Lithia Springs workers’ compensation attorneys at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition today. We can help victims of compensable work injuries in Lithia Springs or illnesses fight for the financial compensation and benefits they deserve.
Call the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition in Lithia Springs today at 470-518-5026 for a free case assessment.
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What Are Compensable Work Injuries in Lithia Springs, Georgia?
Compensable injuries are injuries or illnesses that workers sustain during the course of their employment. Employees who suffer injuries while on the clock are entitled to compensation benefits to pay for job-related medical expenses and reimburse lost wages for the period they were away from work.
In Georgia, compensable injuries include:
Physical Trauma Injuries
When a workplace injury results in physical trauma, it qualifies as a compensable injury. Physical trauma injuries are common, and one usually doesn’t need to prove liability or fault in such accidents or incidents. Benefits for injuries caused by physical trauma take little time to approve and process since the injuries are evident.
Occupational Illnesses
When a job or occupation causes an injury or sickness to a worker, that injury or illness is classified as a compensable injury. Occupational illnesses can affect employees who are exposed to workplace hazards. For example, workers who get exposed to loud noises and risk losing their hearing or getting constant migraines as a result.
A Physical Injury Exacerbated by Mental Anguish
Some on-the-job injuries are related to mental issues like PTSD or depression. A worker may claim compensation benefits for a workplace injury if there is substantial medical evidence to link the injury or illness to a mental disorder.
A Physical Injury or Sickness Induced by Mental Issues
A stressful situation in the workplace can cause cardiovascular complications such as heart attacks. Workplace injuries arising from mental anguish are also compensable.
A Mental Injury
This type of compensable injury may happen when an employee is subjected to high levels of job-related stress, violence in the workplace, or an on-the-job traumatic experience. To claim this type of stress, they must have worked for the employer for not less than six months. In addition, the employer must be liable for at least 51% percent of the stress-causing situation for them to be held responsible for the mental injury.
An Injury From Cumulative Trauma or Repetitive Stress
Repetitive stress injuries do not occur in a single isolated workplace incident or accident. They usually develop gradually and play a part in the deterioration of the employee’s ability to work. An excellent example of this type of injury is carpal tunnel syndrome which arises from repetitive hand motions.
An Injury or Illness that Results From Aggravating a Pre-existing Condition
If your working conditions or job duties aggravate a pre-existing condition and cause an injury or illness, you may qualify for compensation benefits. In some cases, new injuries arise from the worsening of pre-existing conditions by job-related duties.
What Types of Compensation Can You Claim?
Georgia employees are entitled to the following types of compensation benefits:
Lost Wages Reimbursement (Disability Benefits)
Georgia recognizes four categories of workers’ compensation benefits pertaining to reimbursement of lost wages:
- Temporary Total Disability: When a work-related injury or illness prevents a worker from working, these benefits will reimburse lost wages for a limited time.
- Temporary Partial Disability: In the event of a workplace injury forces an employee to only work light duty or fewer hours, these benefits will replace the lost income.
- Permanent Partial Disability: When the timeline for receiving TTD or TPD benefits lapses, permanent partial disability benefits will take over. However, a doctor must determine that the employee is permanently partially impaired.
- Permanent Total Disability: These benefits are awarded to employees who sustain a permanent physical impairment. The type of injury determines how long the employee will continue to receive these benefits.
Medical Benefits & Travel Costs
On top of disability benefits, employees can claim medical benefits to cater to all necessary and reasonable treatment or therapy arising from the job-related injury or sickness. An authorized medical practitioner must provide the therapy or treatment. Typically, workers’ compensation compensates employees for:
- Emergency room treatment
- Hospitalization
- Ambulance fees
- Medical testing
- Physician’s fees
- Prescription medications
- Assistive and therapeutic equipment
- Physical therapy
Georgia workers who get injured in the course of employment are also entitled to receive compensation for mileage and travel costs for the distance covered to and from medical appointments.
Rehabilitation and Career Training
When employees cannot resume their previous job duties, they are entitled to receive compensation to pay for new career training or skills and rehabilitation. This will help the employee get employment in another industry or capacity.
Survivor Death Benefits
Workers’ compensation benefits also compensate the surviving family members if their loved one dies from a work-related accident. Surviving family members can also recoup benefits if the workplace injury aggravates a pre-existing illness or injury resulting in death.
How Long Do You Have to File for Compensation in Lithia Springs, Georgia?
According to Georgia workers’ compensation law, employees have one year from the date of the work-related accident to file a workers’ compensation claim. This crucial deadline may be extended if the employee can keep working after an injury or if their employer provides medical treatment.
Call Our Lithia Springs Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Today
As a Georgia employee, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits when you sustain a job-related injury or illness. An attorney from the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition in Lithia Springs, GA, can help ensure you receive adequate compensation and fair treatment for your on-the-job injuries or illnesses. We help sick or injured workers in Lithia Springs and throughout Georgia with their workers’ compensation claims.
Please fill out our online form or call 470-518-5026 today for your free case review.
