Being hurt on the job can be a devastating experience with implications affecting your daily life physically, mentally, and also your finances. For most employees in Georgia, if you get involved in an incident that results in injuries at work or while doing job-related tasks, you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits to pay for lost wages and medical costs.
Unfortunately, not all injured workers recover benefits for their injuries; there are many reasons why your employer/their insurance carrier might shortchange or deny a valid workers comp claim altogether. Injured employees who are forced to battle their work-related injuries or illnesses, mounting medical bills, and a complicated bureaucratic system can suffer lasting health and financial harms unless they obtain experienced legal help.
The Buford workers compensation lawyer at the Workers Compensation Lawyers Coalition can help with your claim every step of the way as you pursue the benefits you are entitled to for your on-the-job injury. Workers Compensation Lawyers Coalition law office has been serving the Buford, GA area for decades. We are dedicated and work hard for workers comp benefits of our clients.
Call Workers Compensation Lawyers Coalition at 470-518-5026 today and speak with a professional Buford workers’ compensation lawyer in a free consultation.
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What Is Workers Compensation?
Workers compensation is an insurance system put in place to help injured workers who need medical care and financial assistance when they get injured at work or doing job-related activities. Under Buford Workers’ Compensation Law, injured workers are entitled to medical costs, including surgery, hospital stays, etc., paid for by their employer’s insurance company.
You may also be entitled to other forms of compensation, such as vocational rehabilitation. However, it’s important to note that each state’s laws on workers’ compensation benefits are different, which is precisely why it is crucial you contact a Buford workers’ compensation lawyer.
What Should I Do if I Get Hurt On The Job?
If you suffer an injury or work-related illness in Buford, Georgia, you can take several crucial steps to protect your right to pursue and recover workers comp benefits:
- Tell Your Employer About Your Injury: Immediately after suffering an injury at work, notify your employer, or your employer’s representative. IMPORTANT-> Injured workers in Georgia have a 30-day window after discovering the injury to notify their employers of their injuries.
- Get To A doctor ASAP: Always prioritize your health, seek prompt medical attention, and follow your doctor’s instructions. Note that your employer may ask you to visit a specific medical provider.
- Document Your Injury And Symptoms: One excellent way to smoothen the workers comp claims process in Georgia is to provide strong evidence showing the cause and severity of your injuries. For this reason, if possible, take notes of your injuries and your symptoms.
- Take Photos Of Your Injury: By taking photos of your work-related injuries, you may resolve questions about the cause of the injury. Photos may also help speed up your workers comp claim as well as your recovery of benefits.
- File A Workers Compensation Claim For Benefits With The Help Of A Buford Workers Compensation Lawyer: Employers and the state of Georgia have set up websites and pages that describe the process to follow when filing for benefits after a workplace injury. But experienced workers compensation lawyers will know their way around the laws and regulations that govern Georgia’s workers comp system and can guide you through the complicated process.
- Rest And Recuperate!
What Are The Most Common Job-Related Injuries In Buford?
There are literally countless ways that people can suffer injuries on the job. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that more than 200 individuals lost their lives in 2019 because of work-related injuries/illnesses in Georgia.
The ten most common types of injuries listed in workers compensation claims in Georgia include:
- Fractures
- Amputations
- Hearing Loss
- Auto accidents that happen when traveling for work
- Back/Neck Injuries
- Joint Pain
- Slip and fall injuries
- Burns
- Construction accidents
- Accidents while using tools or operating machinery
Why Should I Hire A Buford Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
Given the complexities of the Georgia Workers Compensation Act, it is always a good idea to hire a workers comp attorney in Buford, GA. To help you understand our responsibilities after a workplace injury and file your claim within the set deadlines, reach out to an experienced workers compensation attorney in Buford.
Benefits of working with experienced workers comp lawyers include:
- A lawyer can help you file your claim within set time limits
- A lawyer can help gather crucial medical evidence so you can claim for maximum benefits
- An attorney can appeal a denied claim on your behalf
- A lawyer will handle all negotiations with insurance companies
- A lawyer can advise you regarding your rights to pursue compensation through a third-party claim
Call the experienced Buford workers compensation lawyers at the Workers Compensation Lawyers Coalition for expert legal assistance with your workers compensation claim.
What Is The Cost For Hiring A Buford Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
In Buford workers compensation cases, we charge our clients what’s called a contingency fee. Our attorney fees are contingent upon the success of your claim. If our attorneys recover nothing or if your workers compensation is ultimately rejected, our law firm does not collect any legal fee.
What Should I Do If My Buford Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied?
Unfortunately, many injured workers throughout Georgia are frustrated to learn that their workers comp claims have been denied. Workers compensation requirements are intricate, which means your claim may be denied for several reasons. The good news is that getting your claim denied by your employer/insurance carrier does not mean the end of the line for your Buford workers compensation claim.
If you receive a denial for the benefits you are entitled to through a workers comp claim, you can request a hearing before the State Board of Workers Compensation. In this situation, you must contact an experienced attorney. The knowledgeable Buford workers compensation attorneys at the Workers Compensation Lawyers Coalition can help you fight back and pursue the benefits you deserve.
What Are The Employee’s Responsibilities When Filing A Workers’ Compensation Claim?
An injured employee’s responsibilities include:
- Promptly notify their employer about the details of the accident and their injury/illness (usually within 30 days).
- Seeking medical attention right away with a designated medical provider. Injured employees must make sure to follow the doctor’s instructions, i.e., act responsibly after injury. If you fail to follow your physician’s instructions, you may negatively impact your claim.
- Maintain accurate medical records
- Cooperate with the employer, insurance provider, and rehabilitation provider.
Consulting a Buford workers’ compensation lawyer ensures that you will meet your responsibilities as an injured emplyee.
What Responsibility Do Georgia Employers Have In The Workers’ Compensation Process?
The responsibilities of an employer when a workers compensation claim is filed in Georgia include:
- File a First Report of Injury
- Respect workers rights
- Cooperate with all investigative parties, including the State Board of Workers Compensation
- Complete forms promptly
- Support employees return to work process, e.g., identify alternate suitable roles or duties if necessary
Can I Be Fired For Claiming A Workers’ Compensation Claim?
No, employees cannot lose their job because of exercising their right to claim benefits after a workplace injury.
Are There Deadlines For Filing A Workers’ Compensation Claim In Buford, GA?
Yes. Important time limits to keep in mind when you lodge a workers compensation claim include:
- 30-day deadline to notify your employer about your injury/illness.
- 1 year for filing a workers comp claim with The State Board of Workers Compensation by submitting a completed form WC-14
- 2 years if you qualify to file a third-party injury claim in Georgia
Can I Sue My Employer?
No, you cannot file a lawsuit against your employer for workplace injuries. When an employer accepts workers comp benefits after an injury, they forfeit their right to sue their employers for work-related injuries. However, there are other avenues available to you, such as third-party claims. A Buford workers’ compensation lawyer can advise you the best courses of action to take.
Can Independent Contractors File For Workers’ Compensation Benefits In Georgia?
No. However, just because your employer categorizes you as an independent contractor doesn’t necessarily mean you are! Long story short, whether you are an independent contractor or not, it’s crucial to speak with a Buford workers’ compensation lawyer to discuss your case and learn about your legal options.
What Is My Buford Workers’ Compensation Claim Worth?
Georgia workers compensation will pay for:
- Your medical bills (with authorized treating physicians)
- A percentage of the employee’s lost wages
- Prescription medication
- Any rehab costs
- Any mileage expenses related to the treatment of your illness/injury
- Your income loss replacement benefit, usually 2/3 of your average weekly wage (with a cap of $675 per week for TTD (temporary total disability))
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
Contact Our Expert Buford Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
Filing a workers comp claim in Georgia can be overwhelming, making it easy to make mistakes on your own. The Buford workers’ compensation lawyers at the Workers Compensation Lawyers Coalition are ready to seek the benefits you deserve. We’ll handle everything on your behalf, including the bureaucracy involved, and get you the compensation you need and deserve.
Contact a Buford workers’ compensation lawyer from Workers Compensation Lawyers Coalition at 470-518-5026 to set up your free legal consultation.
