Clarkdale Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

When a job-related accident happens in Clarkdale, Georgia, the process for recovering benefits should be straightforward. If you suffer an on-the-job injury, you have specific responsibilities. You are also entitled to certain rights and benefits. Your employer also has specific duties and obligations. Unfortunately, insurers and employers often put their interests ahead of the interests of employees, leaving them in financial limbo.

As Clarkdale workers’ compensation lawyers, we commit ourselves to fighting for the rights of employees who get hurt while on the job. We have assisted many injured employees from various industries to overcome obstacles in their workers’ compensation claims, including pre-existing conditions and rejected claims. No matter your field of profession, we can provide reliable legal counsel and pursue maximum benefits for your workplace injury.

We will review your case for free, and you will not be obliged to retain our services. Call Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Coalition at 470-518-5026 or fill in our online form to schedule a meeting.

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

This insurance program enables and guarantees payment of medical benefits and a portion of weekly wages to employees who get injured while on the job. Georgia law requires employers with more than three employees to provide them with workers’ compensation cover.

Steps to Take After a Workplace Injury

If you’re hurt on the job in Clarkdale, Georgia, here is what you should do.

• Tell your employer you are hurt: Report your injuries to your employer or supervisor right away or before the end of 30 days after your injury date or risk losing your right to seek compensation.
• Get to a WC doctor as soon as you can and follow your doctor’s instructions: You should see your authorized treating physician and do precisely what they tell you.
• Maintain a written record of your injury and symptoms: Write a description of your injuries and symptoms and keep the recorded statements.
• Take photographs of your injury, if visible: Take photographic and video evidence of your job-related injuries.
• File a workers’ compensation claim with the help of an attorney: Get a reliable Clarkdale attorney to help you file your workers’ compensation claim.
• Rest and recuperate: You focus on getting better as your lawyer handles your case.

What Are The Most Prevalent Workplace Accident Injuries?

Every job environment has its risks regarding workplace accident injuries and illnesses. However, some workplace injuries are common in almost all job environments.

Ten most common workplace accident injuries:

• Hearing Loss: Workers in noise-polluted job industries tend to suffer hearing loss because of continuous exposure to excessive noise.
• Falls from Heights: Employees who climb elevated places often suffer injuries if they fall from heights.
• Back/Neck Injuries: Back and neck injuries tend to affect workers in most job industries. For instance, employees may sustain back or neck injuries because of prolonged sitting hours. Other workers may sustain back or neck injuries after falling.
• Slip and Falls: Injuries resulting from trip/slip and fall incidents are not limited to any job industry. You can slip and fall anywhere.
• Electrocution: Workers who work with electrical equipment and machinery often suffer electrocution if they fail to observe safety.
• Accidents while traveling for business. Workers and employees who often travel by road for business tend to suffer accident injuries.
• Burns: Burn injuries are common in job industries that utilize heat.
• Amputations: Workers who work in an environment with heavy machinery and equipment tend to be the victims of limb loss when accidents occur.
• Construction accidents: Construction sites are naturally hazardous and often cause various injuries from falls, electrocution, being hit by falling objects, etc.
• Accidents while working with machinery or tools: Working with heavy machinery and equipment is dangerous.

Why Should I Hire a Clarkdale Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?

While the law doesn’t require you to hire an attorney for your Clarkdale workers’ compensation claim, it is highly recommendable. Pursuing a workers’ compensation claim without the help of a lawyer can seriously hurt your chances of recovering benefits.

This is why it’s important to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer:

• Case Preparation/Filing Claim: An attorney can help prepare your case by investigating your claim and gathering proof to build a strong case, and later file a workers’ compensation claim for you.
• Settlement Negotiations: Attorneys have a lot of experience in negotiations. Thus, a lawyer can negotiate with insurers on your behalf to get you the maximum benefits available. In addition, an attorney can defend you from the underhand and exploitative tactics that insurers employ to avoid paying out benefits.
• Trial Preparation/Representation: An attorney can also represent you before a judge or jury if your case proceeds to trial. An attorney will present the facts of your case along with supporting evidence in court.
• Appealing a Denied Claim: A workers’ compensation lawyer can help you file an appeal with Georgia’s workers’ compensation board if your claim is rejected.
• Additional Damages: A lawyer can help you pursue other damages after evaluating the facts in your case and determining whether you are eligible.
• Third-Party Liability: If a third party was to blame for your workplace injury, an attorney could help you file a claim against them.

How Much Does A Clarkdale Workers’ Compensation Attorney Cost?

A Clarkdale workers’ compensation attorney works on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will only pay us if we win your case, and you will not owe us anything if we fail to recover benefits. The law allows attorneys to collect only up to 25% of the benefits they manage to recover.

What Should I Do If Insurance Denies My Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Your workers’ compensation claim can be denied even if you follow the correct procedures. You should get a lawyer to help you file an appeal with the Board of Workers’ Compensation in Georgia.

What Are the Employee’s Responsibilities When Filing a Workers Compensation Claim?

As an injured worker, you have a responsibility to do the following things.

• Report job-related injuries to their employer within 30 days.
• Accept any reasonable treatment as mandated by the State Board of Workers’ Compensation.
• Attempt a job approved by the authorized WC doctor even if it pays less than the previous job.
• Notify your employer or insurance carrier when you are ready to resume your job duties either on a part-time or full-time basis.
• Notify your insurer or employer of your new address if you remarry, relocate, or change your address.
• If you are denied benefits, file a claim within one year from your appointment with an authorized physician or within two years after your last weekly benefits payment.
• Agree to undergo a drug test if requested or provide reasonable cause for your refusal.
• Be honest throughout the claims process.

What Responsibility Does an Employer in Georgia Have in the Workers Compensation Process?

Your employer needs to do the following.

• File a First Report of Injury: Georgia employers must file and send the first report of injury to the assigned WC doctor and the insurance provider.
• Cooperate With Investigators: It’s an employer’s duty to cooperate during investigations and provide all the required files and documents.
• Have Workers Return: It’s an employer’s responsibility to recall employees once they are ready.

Can I be Fired for Claiming a Workers Comp Claim?

According to the law, your employer cannot retaliate against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim. So, No, you cannot be fired for claiming benefits after a workplace injury.

Are There Deadlines for Filing Workers’ Comp Claims in Clarkdale, Georgia?

Yes. Employees who suffer job-related injuries in Georgia have up to one year from the date of injury to file a workers’ compensation claim.

Can I Sue My Employer?

A no-fault system guides workers’ compensation in Georgia. This means that you cannot sue your employer. But, the system enables you to recover benefits for your workplace injuries.

Can An Independent Contractor File a Workers Comp Claim?

Since independent contractors are not considered employees in Georgia, they do not qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. However, an independent contractor can file a workers’ compensation claim if they are not in control of the time, manner, and means of employment.

What Is My Clarkdale Workers’ Compensation Claim Worth?

Typically, two factors will determine the value of your Clarkdale workers’ compensation claim; lost wages and medical expenses. Workers’ compensation will pay for:

• Medical bills: for reasonable and necessary treatment for your workplace injury or illness, including prescription medication, surgery, diagnostic procedures such as X-rays, rehabilitation or therapy, and other forms of treatment. Workers’ compensation will only pay for these expenses if you get treatment from an authorized physician.
• Necessary travel expenses associated with the treatment of your injury or illness, including ambulance rides and to and or mileage costs for follow-up doctors’ appointments.
• Replacement benefit for your income or wage loss: Workers’ compensation benefits will cover the period of your temporary disability and will pay for two-thirds of what you averagely make in a week (with a $575 cap per week).
• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): Your workers’ compensation will also pay an additional sum of money if your authorized treating physician determines that your disability rating complies with the guidelines of the American Medical Association.

Contact Our Clarkdale Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

Every day, scores of Georgia employees visit hospitals for injuries associated with their jobs. Our Clarkdale workers’ compensation lawyers can help you claim and recover benefits for your job-related injuries and sue any third party that bears responsibility. The attorneys at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition in Clarkdale, Georgia, are well-versed in Georgia’s workers’ compensation system and can fight for the maximum benefits you deserve.

Call 470-518-5026 today to request a free case assessment.