Can I Settle for a Lump Sum in My Georgia Workers Compensation Case?

If you get injured at work, you will probably qualify for worker’s comp benefits. As long as you meet the basic qualifications for workers comp, your claim should be approved. Of course, there are times when your worker’s comp claim may be denied. Or, your benefits may be delayed. It all depends on the circumstances of your case. For example, if you don’t provide all the necessary information at the time of your accident, your employer may advise the insurance company to put your claim on hold. Or, if it was obvious that you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of your accident, they may tell them to deny it outright. In either of these cases, you really should call and talk to an experienced workers comp lawyer in Georgia.

The good news is that, if your claim is approved, you’ll get benefits until you’re able to return to work. These benefits include both medical treatment and replacement wages. Here, we’ll talk about what these benefits entail. We’ll also talk about how your case will eventually be resolved. For some people, they continue to collect benefits for months or even years. However, most clients prefer to settle their cases so they can move on with their life. If you have any questions about how you can settle your Georgia workers comp case, give us a call right away.

How Much are Workers Comp Benefits in Georgia?

If you qualify for workers comp benefits in Atlanta, you will get two things. First, you’ll get your medical care covered until you’re able to return to work. Second, you’ll get weekly replacement wages until you’re better. These benefits are as follows:

  • Temporary Total Disability Benefits: You will be entitled to these benefits if you are unable to work at all due to your injury. You will receive 2/3 of your average weekly wages. However, you will not receive more than $675 per week. So, if you were earning more than $1,000 per week, you will end up losing money while on workers’ comp. These benefits last 400 weeks at most.
  • Temporary Partial Disability Benefits: If you can work but are not earning as much as you did before your injury, you’ll get 2/3 of the difference in pay. For example, if you were making $1,000 per week but are only making $600 a week on light duty, you’re entitled to 2/3 of the difference. Since the difference here is $400, you will get about $250 per week. These benefits only last 350 weeks.

Very few people are going to want to wait for 350 or 400 weeks for their benefits to run out. You probably cannot survive on this money for very long, You may also want to settle your case so you can move on and find a new job.

How Much Will Your Case Settle for in Atlanta?

If you do want to settle your worker’s comp claim, call and talk to an experienced workers comp lawyer. They’ll negotiate with the insurance company to settle your claim. They’ll look at how serious your injuries are. They’ll also try to determine how much longer you’ll be out of work. They will also take into account the type of injury you suffered. For example, a back injury will be worth a lot more than a wrist injury. Once they go back and forth with your employer’s attorney, they’ll reach an agreed-upon amount. They will push to get this settlement amount paid in one lump sum.

Contact an Experienced Workers Comp Attorney in Georgia

If you get hurt at work, you’re going to need to file a worker’s comp claim. This means you report the accident to your manager or Human Resources manager. You also need to fill out an incident or accident form. If you don’t do these things, you will not get the medical treatment you need. Nor will you get replacement wages. It’s important to follow your employer’s worker’s compensation policy. If you run into any problems with your claim, you should call and talk to a skilled workers comp lawyer in Atlanta.

The same is true if you want to settle your claim. Even if you didn’t have a lawyer handle your claim from the start, when it comes time to settle, you really should have someone by your side who knows how the law in Georgia works. Call today and schedule your initial consultation. It’s absolutely free and you don’t pay a dime until you settle your case.