If you suffer an injury or illness because of a job-related accident in Cartersville, GA, benefits are probably available. To receive the maximum benefits available, you should enlist the help of a Cartersville Workers Compensation Lawyer.
Unfortunately, despite having the right to a safe workspace, many people suffer injuries at work. In Georgia, all employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage in case an employee gets hurt at work. When you get hurt doing an activity connected to your job, or at work, you can file a workers’ comp claim to pursue money to cover the cost of your lost income and medical bills. It doesn’t matter whose negligence caused the accident.
Sadly, your employer and their workers’ comp insurance carrier might not make things easy for you. In fact, it’s not surprising for them to try and drive down the value of your recoverable benefits to save money. Don’t shoulder the burdens of a workplace injury alone. Don’t be manipulated out of the compensation your need and deserve.
At the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition, our Cartersville injury lawyers understand how to pursue workers’ compensation benefits for injured workers. From filing your claim to disputing and appealing denied claims, we help injured workers navigate the complex workers’ comp insurance system.
Contact the Cartersville workers compensation lawyers at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition for immediate assistance. We can help you receive all the benefits you are entitled to! Give an experienced Cartersville workers compensation lawyer a quick call at 470-518-5026
to book a free consultation today.
Table of Contents
What Is Workers Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a state-regulated insurance system whereby if an employee gets hurt on the job – or doing any activity related to their employment requirements or obligations – they are entitled to medical treatment, including treatment, surgery, hospital stays, etc., lost wages, and disability, paid for by your employer’s insurance company.
What Should I Do if I’m Hurt on the Job?
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Below are the first steps employees can take to protect their right to receive workers’ comp benefits:
- Report your injury to your employer, direct supervisor, or foreman as soon as possible. You’re required to send a notice of injury to your employer within 30 days of the accident. If you fail to report your injury within this time limit, you may not be eligible for compensation.
- Seek medical attention (with an approved medical provider). Even if your illness/injury appear to be minor, it is imperative you immediately get medical treatment. This ensures you get proper medical care and provide a historical background which will be crucial to the success of your workers’ comp claim. Make sure to continue going for follow-up appointments after receiving treatment.
- Record your injury and symptoms. If possible, keep a record (in writing, photos, or video) of your injury/illness and symptoms. These pieces of evidence can serve as proof of disability or the severity of your injuries.
- File a claim with the assistance of a Cartersville workers compensation lawyer. An experienced lawyer can guide you through the complexities of lodging a workers’ compensation claim and ensure you receive all the benefits you are qualified for under Georgia law.
Call us! Legal services at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition are provided on a no-win-no-fee basis.
What Are The10 Most Common Workplace Accident Injuries?
There are a variety of on-the-job injuries that arise in Georgia, including:
- Burns
- Fractures
- Back/Neck Injuries
- Amputations
- Hearing Loss
- Slip and Fall Injuries
- Construction accidents
- Work-related auto accidents
- Deep cuts and lacerations
- Accidents while working with machinery or tools.
Regardless of the industry, all workers in Georgia deserve a safe work environment free of hazards. If you sustain an injury on the job, contact a workers’ compensation attorney to fight for the benefits that will help you recover.
Why Should I Hire A Cartersville Workers Compensation Lawyer?
You have plenty of reasons to have concerns about the workplace injury that left you in pain and out of a job. Household and medical bills are piling up. You may never be able to return to your old job or ever work again because of your injury. And even if you get your job back, how will you pay the bills?
Luckily, things don’t have to be this way. There is a solution – hire an experienced Cartersville workers compensation lawyer. Hiring a lawyer is an excellent way to take away stress from the process, receive proper medical treatment, get the money you need to pay the bills, and begin your next chapter after your on-the-job injury.
Let’s look at the key benefits of hiring the experienced lawyer at Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition:
- Your lawyer will fight for your best interests and skillfully negotiate to improve negotiations with the insurance company
- Can reignite your claim after denial
- Lawyers understand Georgia’s workers’ comp laws and rules inside out
- Your lawyer can make sure you receive the best possible medical treatment
- Your lawyer can help you handle all related legal issues and ultimately get you all the maximum benefits available.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Cartersville Workers Compensation Attorney?
Workers’ compensation lawyers throughout Georgia get paid on a contingency basis. Meaning they get paid a portion of your settlement. Under Georgia law, the portion payable to attorneys cannot exceed 25% of the award or settlement you receive (not including medical benefits).
What Should I Do If My Workers Compensation Claim Is Denied?
Sadly, even when the facts are clear, there is no guarantee that your workers’ compensation claim will be successful. Your employer and their insurance company may decide that your injury happened somewhere else or because of a preexisting condition. Now what?
Just because your claim was denied doesn’t mean you are not eligible to recover Georgia workers’ compensation benefits. If your claim is denied:
- Request Hearing Before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation
- Contact a lawyer
The timeframe for requesting a hearing with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation varies. However, the time limit for requesting a hearing after a denied work injury claim is one year from the date of the accident.
Because of the strict deadlines imposed by Georgia’s workers’ comp system, it is crucial that you file for a hearing immediately after you receive a denial of benefits. An experienced Cartersville workers compensation lawyer can help you file the correct forms accurately and on time.
What Responsibility Does The Employee Have In Filing A Workers Comp Claim?
The Georgia Workers Compensation Act outlines the responsibilities of the employee when filing a workers’ compensation claim. Some of these responsibilities include:
- You must report ant workplace accident right away or within 30 days of the accident date to your employer, immediate supervisor, or employer’s representative.
- You have a continuing obligation to follow the doctor’s instructions in the course of your treatment for work-related illnesses/injuries.
- If you move, you must inform your employer/their insurance carrier of your new address.
What Responsibility Does The Employer Have In the Workers Compensation Process?
- Employers must provide workers with a safe work environment.
- Employers must post notices in conspicuous places regarding their compliance with the state’s workers’ compensation laws. E.g., Posting Georgia’s Board of Workers’ Compensation Bill of Rights for injured workers and a Panel of Physicians.
- Right after finding out about a workers’ injury, an employer is responsible for completing and filing an Employer’s First Report of Injury with the insurance company.
Can I be Fired for Claiming a Workers Comp Claim?
The simple answer, No.
Some people have been known to avoid filing for workers’ comp because they fear losing their jobs.
That said, an employer cannot fire you merely because you suffered an injury and filed for the benefits you are entitled to!
Is There A Deadline For Filing Workers’ Compensation Claims In Cartersville, GA?
Yes, in Georgia, strict time limits apply when filing a workers’ compensation claim – usually one year from the date of discovery of condition or accident.
Injured workers have 30 days to report their injuries to their employers.
Not sure how long you have to lodge your claim for workers’ comp benefits? Let the lawyers at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition help. We can get to meeting all deadlines right away.
Can I Sue My Employer?
No. Workers cannot sue their employers for a workplace illness or injury in Georgia. But you may be able to file a lawsuit against a third party for a workplace illness/injury. Team up with an experienced Cartersville workers compensation lawyer to determine what options apply to your case.
Can An Independent Contractor File A Workers Comp Claim?
In almost all cases, No.
As with unemployment benefits, even if you receive a w-9 for tax purposes, your employer is not responsible for providing workers’ compensation benefits if you are labeled as an independent contractor.
What Is My Cartersville Workers Compensation Claim Worth?
Workers’ compensation benefits exist for the sole purpose of helping injured workers cover the cost of their injuries and manage day to-today expenses as they recover and get back on their feet. Workers’ compensation benefits will pay for the following:
- Your medical expenses
- A percentage of your lost wages
- Any rehabilitation costs
- Prescription medication
- Mileage or travel expenses related to the treatment of your injury
- Your income loss replacement benefit, usually two-thirds of your average weekly wage (with a cap of $675 per week)
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) & an additional amount if the authorized treating physician issues a disability rating in compliance with the American Medical Association Guidelines
A Cartersville Workers Compensation Lawyer is Here to Help!
At the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition, we know how devastating a workplace injury/illness can be. That is why our Cartersville workers’ compensation attorneys are prepared to fight for your interests and get you all the benefits you deserve. We provide legal services for injured workers throughout Georgia on a contingency basis.
Call 470-518-5026 for immediate help.