Work-related injuries do not only affect the injured victim but also his or her family. That is why the Law has made it mandatory for employees to be compensated for work-related injuries. However, seeking compensation for injuries sustained at work is not an easy process, and many employees do not know where to start or what to do to pursue compensation.
However, with the help of a Douglasville workers’ compensation lawyer, you do not have to worry about such issues. That is because our team will play a major role in pursuing your claim. Therefore, contact our office today and talk to one of our representatives.
Table of Contents
What is Workers Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is an insurance policy that covers employees against work-related illnesses and injuries. This is a legal requirement in Douglasville, GA, for all business owners who have hired more than 2 employees. Therefore, employees who have been injured while at work are entitled to receive the following.
- Temporary Total Disability Benefits: An employee can receive total disability benefits if he or she is unable to continue working as a result of work-related injury or illness.
- Medical Benefits: Medical benefits are awarded to compensate the injured victim for medical expenses.
- Physical therapy
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Prescription Medication
What Should I Do if I am Hurt on the Job?
If you have been hurt while on duty, there are certain things that the law requires you to do, especially if you plan to seek compensation for your injuries. Make sure you do the following;
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Only a health specialist can be able to assess your health status and determine whether you are in a healthy condition or not. That is why you should consider seeking medical attention first before taking any other step.
Report the Incident to Your Employer
Your employer should be notified of your injuries as soon as possible. Therefore, if you only sustained minor injuries, make sure that the employer is notified before leaving to seek treatment.
Start and Keep a Written Record of Your Injury and Symptoms
Your employer will write a report of the work-related accident that you were involved in and make sure that the injuries and symptoms are included in the report. After writing the report request a copy of the written record and keep it safe.
Take Photographs of Your Injury, if Visible
It is advisable that you take photos of your injuries. That is because such photos can be used as evidence to support your claim.
File a Workers’ Compensation Claim With the Assistance of a Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition in Douglasville, GA
The next thing that you should do is file a workers’ compensation claim by filing a WC-14 form. You can do this with the help of a legal representative from the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition in Douglasville, Georgia. The WC-14 form can be obtained from the SBWC official website or your employer.
Rest and Recuperate
Once you do this you can rest and recuperate while your legal representative works on your case.
What are the Most Common Workplace Accident Injuries?
Whether you work in the construction industry or an office, what you need to understand is that work-related accidents have been known to cause severe and minor injuries. Below are common workplace accident injuries.
- Joint pain
- Fractures.
- Burns.
- Back/Neck injuries.
- Hearing loss
- Amputations.
- Accidents that occur while using tools or machinery.
- Accidents while traveling for business.
Why Should I Hire a Douglasville Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
The reason why should hire a Douglasville workers’ compensation lawyer is to help you protect your interest and rights. Many people lose the chance of getting a fair settlement either for not fulfilling all legal requirements and also because of lack of legal experience. However, by working together with the workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition, you can increase your chances of getting a fair settlement.
As your legal representatives, we will file your claim, look for expert/professional witnesses to help with your case, negotiate compensation terms and also represent you in court during the trial period.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
We understand how stressful it can be to deal with a work-related injury, especially when you are no longer able to go back to work and need to take some time off to recover. Because of this reason, the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition usually proposes a contingency fee form of payment, which allows clients to acquire legal services without paying any upfront fees.
Furthermore, you also need to acknowledge the fact that the contingency fee only applies when we win your case, and according to State law, the contingency fee cannot exceed more than 25% of what the client receives as benefits or compensation.
What Should I Do if My Workers Compensation Claim is Denied?
Your claim can be denied because of many reasons, but when this happens you can still try and pursue your claim by requesting a hearing at the SBWC ( State Board of Workers Compensation). After that, a local Administrative Law Judge will be appointed for a hearing and the judge will determine whether the claim filed is valid or not.
What Responsibility Does the Employee Have in Filing a Workers Compensation Claim?
As an employee in Douglasville, Georgia, you are responsible for notifying your employer of your injuries. This is the first step the law requires you to take in filing a workers’ compensation claim. Besides, notifying your employer about the work-related injuries, it is also your responsibility to do the following;
- Make sure that a report of the incident is written.
- If you sustained severe injuries and got taken to the hospital immediately, make sure your employer is notified about the work-related injuries within thirty days.
- Inform the health specialist how the accident occurred and about your injuries.
- Seek medical treatment and care as instructed by the State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC).
- Agree to take a drug test if necessary or if requested to do so by the insurance company.
- Make truthful statements when filing your claim. Providing misleading or false statements is considered to be an offense in the state of Georgia and you can be charged with a misdemeanor.
What Responsibilities Does the Employer Have in the Workers’ Compensation Process?
Employers also have a few responsibilities in the workers’ compensation process including protecting the job post of the injured employee until he or she has fully recovered and resumed work. It is also the responsibility of the employer to make sure that the employees are informed about their rights to receive workers’ compensation benefits in case a worker sustains work-related injury or illness.
Can I be Fired for Claiming a Workers Compensation Claim?
It is your legal right to file for a workers’ compensation claim and because of this reason, the law protects employees against such discrimination. Therefore, if you get fired for pursuing a workers’ compensation claim, contact the Douglasville Workers Compensation Lawyers and we will help you protect your rights.
Is There a Time Limit to File a Workers Compensation Claim in Douglasville, Georgia?
Do not take too long to file a workers’ compensation claim in Douglasville, GA. That is because the law requires injured employees to file their claim within 1 year. If you fail to file your claim within this period, the court will deny your claim.
Can I Sue My Employer?
According to the law in Georgia, the only way an employee can seek compensation for work-related injuries or illnesses is by filing a workers’ compensation claim. Even if the accident that the employee was involved in was a result of the employer’s recklessness or outright negligence, you still do not have the legal right to sue your employer.
Can an Independent Contractor File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
In Georgia, the only people who have the right to file for a workers’ compensation claim are statutory or permanent employees. That means you have an employer who decides where you execute a task, when and how to do the job.
What Is My Douglasville, GA, Workers’ Compensation Claim Worth?
In the state of Georgia there various factors that determine how much a workers’ compensation claim is worth. These factors include the employee’s weekly wage and loss incurred by the victim due to the injuries sustained after being involved in a work-related accident. Moreover, according to Georgia law, workers’ Compensation is required to cover the following;
- Prescription medication
- Any travel expenses necessary for further treatment on injuries sustained by the employee
- Medical bills
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
- Rehabilitation cost
- Income loss replacement benefits
- Extra Contribution – However, for this to be approved disability ratings provided by the physician must comply with the AMA (American Medical Association) guidelines.
Conclusion.
Working with the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition in Douglasville, GA is the best chance you have of winning your case. That is because our experienced team will do most of the hard work for you while you continue to recover. Call our office today at 470-518-5026 for a free case evaluation and legal counsel.
