Sustaining injury or falling ill while performing your duties at work can be an inconvenient, and distressing situation. The pain, shock, bills, and battles with your employer and the insurance company over who was at fault can easily leave you overwhelmed. Workplace injuries are rarely expected, but they are not uncommon, and that’s why the Workers’ Compensation Act exists.
As an employee in a company with three or more workers, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, should you sustain an injury or fall ill while on the job. So, if you are looking for a Newnan workers’ compensation lawyer, we are here to serve you.
If this is your first time getting a work-related injury, chances are, like most people, do not have an idea of how to handle the claims process while still recovering and trying to make ends meet.
Luckily, professional Newnan lawyers like those in the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition in Georgia can help explain how workers’ comp works and whether or not pursuing a claim will work in your situation.
It’s the role of your employer to cover all injury costs, regardless of the party at fault. If you do not know how workers’ compensation works in Georgia, reach out to the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition near Newnan, GA, and get the legal assistance needed to file a successful claim.
Call us today at 470-518-5026 and get a free, no-obligation initial consultation!
Table of Contents
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation or workers’ comp is a form or type of insurance governed by state laws. According to Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act, any business with at least three employees is required to provide coverage for their workers. This coverage is meant to protect employees by giving them a financial safety net after sustaining injuries or falling ill while at work.
This coverage also protects employees against financial losses as a result of any kind of work-related injury or damage, including fatal accidents. The program provides the following benefits:
- Medical Expenses: Covers medical costs incurred as a result of the accident.
- Income Loss: Accounts for earnings lost miss as a result of the accident.
- Death Benefits: Provides financial compensation to the loved ones of the person who passed away as a result of a fatal injury while at work.
What to Do When Your Are Hurt on the Job?
This is how you have to proceed when you are hurt on the job.
Seek Medical Attention
It’s important to make an appointment with one of the employer-approved doctors as soon as possible following the accident. If the injury is severe, visit the nearest hospital as your employer will cover emergency treatment.
Also, ensure you follow the instructions enacted by the medical professional, take the prescribed medications, attend all appointments and follow all work restrictions.
Notify Your Employer
Ensure you report the accident to your employer or supervisor as soon as possible, ideally in formal writing. Telling your co-worker or manager will not suffice. Also, bear in mind that you have 30 days to notify your employer, or you’ll the chance to receive full benefits if any at all.
Take Photos & Videos of the Injuries
Depending on the nature of your accident, it is advisable to take videos and photos of the scene that led to your injuries. These will act as excellent pieces of evidence to support your claim and ensure you get fairly compensated.
Your boss or supervisor might not agree that your injury is related to your injury, but with these records, you will be in a better position to win the dispute.
Keep a Written Journal of Injuries & Symptoms
Also, it is advisable to make detailed notes of your accident and make sure you keep them safe. Also, it is smart to make notes of these immediately after the accident if possible. Include the names of any witnesses plus dates. This helps keep your story coherent.
Update the Employer
If the assigned medical practitioner provides work restrictions, ensure you have it in writing and send a copy to your employer and their insurance carrier if required. If the doctor excuses you from the job indefinitely, you’ll want to know how regularly they need you to check in. Also, make sure you comply with their requirements.
Hire a Workers’ Comp Lawyer
If you believe you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, it’s best to reach out to a reliable workers’ comp lawyer who has experience in either employment law or personal injury.
If you choose the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition near Newnan, GA, the initial consultation is often free and will help fight your case on a contingency basis.
We will give you solid advice about your case, including if you have a worthwhile claim and how much you can expect in the settlement.
Common Work-Related Injuries
There are all types of injuries in the workplace. However, some are more common than others. Workplaces that call for more physical labor tend to see more injuries compared to the rest. That’s because most tasks entail lifting heavy items and this puts their bodies to strain constantly.
Common workplace injuries include:
- Back and neck injuries
- Amputations
- Brain injuries
- Hip injuries
- Carpal tunnel
- Burns and electrocutions
- Joint pain
- Slip and fall
- Fractures
- Construction accidents
- Occupational diseases
Some of these injuries might be mild, while others might force you to miss work for months or years. To protect your rights, it is best to consult a reliable Newnan workers’ compensation lawyer.
Why Hire a Newnan Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
Filing for workers’ compensation is a complicated and time-sensitive process, given the statute of limitations (which we shall discuss later). While employers are mandated to be transparent about all the procedures following a workplace injury, many workers just don’t know what to do.
If you are looking to file a workers’ comp claim, a reliable attorney from the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition can help you throughout the claims process and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
We can also help if you have filed a case and your claim was denied. Our team will help you discover why your claim was denied and initiate the appeal process on your behalf. We will gather all the necessary documentation to support your case, prepare the necessary forms and make sure everything is filed in a timely fashion.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Newnan Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
As mentioned earlier, we work on a contingency basis. This means you don’t have to pay a dime to avail of our services unless we win the case. For us to get paid, we need to ensure you get paid so that we can deduct our payment from the proceeds of your settlement.
This system is put in place because we understand how tough it can be, dealing with medical bills and daily expenses and the last thing you want is the hefty cost of retaining a lawyer for a case you are not sure you’ll win.
According to the State Board of Workers’ Compensation, lawyer fees are based on the agreement you reach with your lawyer, given the fee is above $100. Keep in mind that no lawyer should charge you over 25% of your income or settlement benefits.
What Should You Do if Your Claim is Denied?
If you are not satisfied with the results of your case, you have the right to ask for an appeal with the State Board of Workers’ Comp. It is important to note that the dispute will be handled by an Administrative Law Judge and their role is to determine what benefits, as a victim of a work-related injury, you qualify for.
Given this government body allows both employees and employers to be represented by a lawyer, it is advisable to have a legal representative for the best results.
If the claim is denied again, you can file a petition with the Board’s Appellate Division. Here you get to argue your case in front of a panel of judges.
The Responsibilities of Employees in a Workers’ Compensation Claim
In order to qualify for workers’ comp benefits, you need to adhere to these responsibilities:
- Report any injury to your employer as soon as possible, no later than a month after the accident.
- Follow the company policies including safety and operation procedures put forth by the company.
- Show that the accident wasn’t a result of your willful misconduct
- Take reasonable medical treatment and rehab as required by the state Board of Workers’ Compensation.
- File your claim within the set deadlines.
The Responsibilities of Employers in a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Other than providing workers’ compensation coverage, employers are required to do the following:
- Submit a notice of compliance with workers’ comp laws
- Provide workers with instant emergency medical treatment for injuries sustained in the workplace.
- Provide additional medical attention when the injured employee is not able to pick a practitioner
- Fill and submit an injury report to the state’s workers’ comp board’s office.
Hire a Newnan Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today!
Filing a workers’ compensation claim is not always straightforward, depending on the nature of your injury. With the information above, however, you should be in a position to make the right decisions.
Hire an attorney with the Workers’ Compensation Coalition today to ensure you get fairly compensated. Call 470-518-5026 for a free case review.
