A workplace accident can happen to anyone in any industry, regardless of how careful one is. It may be challenging to return to work after an injury. You may suffer catastrophic injuries after an accident while on the job.
Employees in Covington, Georgia, deserve compensation for workplace injuries. If you’ve been injured while on the job, a Covington workers’ compensation lawyer can help you get the benefits you deserve. At the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition, we take all workers’ comp claims seriously. We are ready to protect your rights throughout the claims process.
Call 470-518-5026 today to schedule your free consultation. Our proactive legal team will help you with all aspects of your case. Get in touch with our reputable Georgia law firm to discuss your legal options.
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What Is Workers Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a scheme where an employer pays accident insurance coverage for their employees. This policy protects employees in the event of a work-related accident. Almost all employers in Georgia are required to have workers’ compensation coverage for their employees.
This policy may cover your medical expenses, including physical therapy, surgery, prescriptions, and necessary travel expenses related to your injury and hospital visits. It may also provide income and vocational rehabilitation benefits if you’ve been injured in Covington, GA, while on the job.
What Should I Do If I’m Hurt on the Job?
If you’ve sustained an injury while performing your job, there are several things you should do. They include:
- Notify your employer about your injury immediately
- Seek medical treatment from an authorized physician and remember to follow their advice
- Record all your symptoms after the injury
- Take pictures and videos of visible injuries, such as burns and cuts
- Contact an experienced Covington workers’ compensation lawyer to help you file your workers’ compensation claim
- Rest and recuperate
What are the Most Common Workplace Accident Injuries?
Many types of injuries can occur at the workplace. Employees in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and mining are more prone to workplace injuries. Here are some of the most common workplace accident injuries:
- Back and neck injuries
- Fractures
- Amputations
- Joint pain
- Hearing loss
- Slip and fall
- Burns
- Accidents while traveling for business
- Construction accidents
- Accidents while working with machinery or tools
Contact the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition immediately if you’ve suffered any of the above workplace injuries. Our reliable attorneys are ready to discuss your legal options.
Why Should I Hire a Covington Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
It’s ill-advised to represent yourself in a workers’ compensation claim. A seasoned workers’ compensation lawyer near Covington can help you secure maximum compensation for your claim. At Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition, we will:
- Conduct a compensation investigation
- Gather and analyze evidence
- Link your injury to the workplace accident
- Question eyewitnesses
- Assess your medical records and the severity of your injuries
- File your claim and handle settlement negotiations
- Represent you in court, if need be
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Covington Workers Compensation Attorney?
In Georgia, law firms aren’t allowed to charge legal fees exceeding 25% of an employee’s weekly wages or total compensation. Our Covington law firm operates on a contingency fee basis. We don’t require any upfront fees to represent you. We only receive a percentage of your compensation once we win our case.
What Should I Do if My Workers Compensation Claim is Denied?
You should reach out to a reliable workers’ compensation lawyer in Covington if your claim has been denied. Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition will look into the specifics of your case and advise you accordingly. We will offer an honest assessment of your case. If we find that the insurance company acted in bad faith, we will appeal the decision by filing a Notice of Claim Form (WC-14) to the State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC)
What Responsibility Does the Employee Have in Filing a Workers Comp Claim?
Employees have specific responsibilities in workers’ comp claims. They include:
- Reporting a workplace accident to an employer within 30 days
- File a claim within a year after the last medical treatment or one year from the date of the accident
- Visit an authorized medical provider for treatment
- Inform the insurance provider during remarriage or change of address
- Follow safety procedures issued by the employer
What Responsibility Does the Employer Have in the Workers Compensation Process?
In Georgia, employers have responsibilities they are required to follow in the workers’ comp process, including:
- Informing the insurance company about a workplace accident
- Maintaining appropriate insurance coverage for employees
- Offer emergency treatment for injuries at the workplace
- Investigate workplace accidents
- Comply with requests for more information about the incident and employee documents from the insurance provider or SBWC
Can I be Fired for Filing a Workers Comp Claim?
No, your employer doesn’t have the right to terminate your employment after filing a workers’ comp claim in Covington, GA. If your employer goes ahead and fires you, you can file a wrongful termination lawsuit. If your employer has fired, discriminated against, or harassed you for filing a claim, speak to an experienced Covington workers’ compensation attorney immediately.
Is there a Time Limit to File a Workers Comp Claim in Covington, GA?
You have one year from the date of your workplace accident to file a workers’ compensation claim. If you don’t file your claim within this time, you lose benefits for your accident-related injuries and damages.
Can I Sue My Employer?
Workers’ compensation insurance is meant to cover an employee’s injuries and lost wages after an accident. After an accident at the workplace, you can’t sue your employer. You can only file a claim with the employer’s insurer to receive benefits after your injury.
However, if the reckless conduct of your employer caused your injuries, you may have the right to sue them. For instance, if your employer fails to provide safety gear or engages in negligent hiring, resulting in your workplace accident injury, you may sue them for intentional injuries.
Can an Independent Contractor File a Workers Comp Claim?
In Georgia, any person regarded as a W2 employee is entitled to workers’ comp benefits. Workers’ compensation insurance covers all W2 employees. Independent contractors are not considered W2 employees. This policy doesn’t cover them. According to the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act farm laborers, domestic servants, railroad carriers, and US government agencies are also exempt from workers’ compensation insurance coverage.
What Is My Covington Workers Compensation Claim Worth?
It’s the responsibility of all employers in Georgia to have workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. This coverage ensures injured workers are protected after work-related accidents. It covers medical treatment and provides cash benefits to protect the rights and welfare of injured employees.
If you are wondering how much your claim is worth, you should schedule a free consultation with a seasoned Covington workers’ compensation lawyer at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition. We will provide an assessment of what you may get from your workers’ compensation claim. Here’s what you may recover from a workplace accident comp claim in
Medical Care
Your employer’s insurance provider must pay all your medical bills from an authorized workers’ comp physician. The insurance company should cover your medical treatment as long as the doctor says medical care is for your workplace injury. If you aren’t satisfied with the company-approved doctor, you can request the SBWC to allow you to seek treatment from a doctor of your choosing.
You may be entitled to benefits such as:
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic services
- Diagnostic tests
- Occupational therapy
- In-home nursing care
- Hospital visits
- Assistive devices
- ER care
Mileage Reimbursement
After a workplace accident, you should keep track of your parking receipts and mileage expenses when making accident-related trips, such as visiting the doctor or a pharmacy. The insurance company must cover these damages within 15 days after receiving proof of the expenses.
Vocational Rehabilitation
You may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation benefits after a catastrophic injury. This may help you get back to work. These benefits include:
- On-the-job training
- Resume and interview assistance
- Covering educational expenses
- Job search assistance
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) Benefits
TPD benefits are offered for up to 350 weeks or until one attains maximum medical improvement (MMI). They are provided to individuals who can return to work.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) Benefits
This is an income loss replacement benefit that’s capped at $575 per week. If you can’t get back to work for a week, you may be entitled to TTD for up to 400 weeks.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Benefits
If your authorized doctor issued a disability rating, you might be entitled to PPD. These are benefits offered when an employee suffers a permanent injury but can still perform their previous job or a modified version of it.
Permanent Total Disability (PTD) Benefits
These benefits are awarded when one can’t return to work. They can be awarded for injuries such as paralysis, blindness, amputations, and
Call Our Covington Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Today
You deserve maximum compensation after a workplace injury. Your employer’s insurance provider should cover your medical bills and other benefits as you rest and recover. Having an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in Covington can help you get a full and fair settlement.
Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition is a phone call away. Call us now at 470-518-5026 to schedule your free consultation. Our legal team won’t give up until your workers’ comp case is settled. Get started now to move forward after your workplace accident.
