Why do you need an attorney?

There are a few reasons why those injured in a Georgia workplace accident should consider hiring a workers’ compensation attorney to represent them. First, there are an array of deadlines that must be carefully paid attention to. Missing even one may mean that your claim is barred from court and you lose your ability to collect money for your serious injury. Another reason why an attorney can be of use is that some employers look for ways to deprive workers of the full range of benefits they are entitled to. You may think your employer has done all they can to secure you the compensation you need, but only an experienced workers’ comp lawyer will know whether you are missing out on benefits that you would otherwise be entitled to.

When does an employer have to carry workers' compensation insurance?

Georgia law says that any company that regularly employs three or more people are required to provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage. This count includes part-time employees.

What benefits are injured workers entitled to receive?

The Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act contains all the necessary rules and regulations pertaining to those injured in a workplace accident. The law says that anyone who has been injured in a workplace accident and who is unable to work is entitled to receive certain benefits. These benefits include payment of two/thirds of your weekly income (not to exceed $550 per week) for up to 400 weeks. In some especially serious cases, those who have suffered truly catastrophic harm may be entitled to receive income benefits for the rest of their life. Additionally, employers are obligated to pay any and all reasonable medical expenses that result from your workplace injury.

What if you have a preexisting injury?

Some people may worry that a preexisting injury will prevent them from filing a successful workers’ comp claim. For instance, someone who had prior back pain may worry that they will be prevented from collecting in a workers’ comp case because the employer may simply blame any medical problems on the prior injury. The good news is that in Georgia, workers are entitled to workers’ comp benefits even if an injury aggravates or exacerbates a preexisting condition. The reality is that many people have preexisting conditions and to exclude everyone who has ever been injured in their life would mean that almost no workers would have protection under the law.

In most cases involving an injury, it matters a great deal who was at fault. For example, in a personal injury case, the very first thing a plaintiff would have to do is demonstrate that the defendant was in some way responsible for the harm suffered by the plaintiff. If the plaintiff were later found to be responsible for some of the harm suffered, he or she could see their claim disappear or the damages reduced by the percentage of their fault. That is not how it workers under the Georgia workers’ compensation system which operates on a no-fault basis.

What does no-fault mean?

In Georgia, the workers’ compensation system operates on a no-fault basis, meaning that the employee is not required to establish fault on the part of the employer or another coworker to recover benefits. This makes it dramatically easier to bring a successful workers’ comp claim because injured workers do not have to spend time and energy fighting over who was to blame for a workplace accident.

Does it matter if the injury is your fault?

The short answer to this question is, no, it doesn’t usually matter whether you as the employee caused the workplace accident. For example, if you slipped and fell on wet floor after a machine you were working on leaked water, the fact that you were somewhat responsible for causing your injury would not prevent you from receiving benefits under the Georgia workers’ compensation system. The workers’ comp system is designed to protect all workers, even those responsible for causing their own injuries.

Are there any exceptions?

Though the Georgia workers’ comp system operates on a no-fault basis, there are a few exceptions. The Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act clearly states that “No compensation shall be allowed for an injury or death due to intoxication by alcohol or being under the influence of marijuana or a controlled substance.” This means that if a worker is drunk or high at the time of the injury, his or her claim for workers’ comp benefits may be denied. That being said, having drugs or alcohol in your system at the time of an accident is not a guaranteed bar to recovery. If an employee can prove that the accident or injury would have occurred regardless of the intoxication, meaning the intoxication was not the cause of the accident, the claim may be allowed to move forward.

What should you do after an injury?

If you’ve been injured in a workplace accident, the very first thing you should do is seek medical care. Injuries, left untreated, can be made worse, increasing your recovery time and potentially leading to complications. Your health is the most important thing and serious injuries need to be addressed as soon as possible.

What happens after receiving medical care?

If your injuries were not severe and you are able to wait, or you already received medical care, the next thing you need to do is report the incident to a supervisor. It’s unfortunate that those injured in a workplace accident aren’t able to just focus on their recovery, but the law says that speedy reporting is essential to a successful workers’ comp claim. If you’ve been injured, you need to report the incident to your employer as soon as you are safely able to do so. This may mean your boss, your foreman, a supervisor; anyone in a position of authority that can initiate the process.

What happens if you wait to report the injury?

Some people may be unaware of the urgency with which injuries need to be reported. In these cases, waiting can prove very costly. Those who have been injured and wait longer than 30 days to report the injury to their employer may actually lose the ability to collect important benefits, including payments for medical care and lost wages.

How long do you have to file a workers’ compensation claim?

In Georgia, the law says that injured workers have one year from the date of their accident to file a notice of claim. In some cases where a worker is able to continue working following the injury this deadline can be extended, but this should always be discussed first with an experienced Georgia workers’ comp attorney who can advise you with more specific detail about the deadlines applicable to your case.

How much is your workers’ compensation claim worth?

You may know someone who was injured on the job and have an idea of how the process works. Many people hope that if someone they know received a sizable payment for a workers’ comp claim that means they are entitled to a similar payment. The reality is that workers’ comp claims vary greatly depending on the particular facts of the case. Every claim is unique and must be evaluated on its own facts. Only after an experienced lawyer has reviewed your case file and familiarized him or herself with the circumstances would they be able to provide an estimate of how much you stand to collect.

What about independent contractors?

Under Georgia law, true independent contractors are not considered employees and are thus not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. The key word in the last sentence is “true” independent contractors. This means that just because an employer labels a worker an independent contractor doesn’t necessarily make it so. If the employer controls the time, manner and means of employment for the worker, then that person will be deemed an employee rather than an independent contractor and will have the right to claim workers’ compensation benefits in the event of a workplace injury.

Can you file a personal injury lawsuit as well?

The downside to the easy no-fault workers’ comp system in Georgia is that workers are unable to sue the employer even if the employer is at fault. The workers’ comp system is what’s known as an exclusive remedy for employees against their employers and co-workers. That means if the employer was negligent, the employee will not be able to sue for personal injury. The same goes with coworkers, they too cannot be sued in the event of a workplace accident. That being said, workers are allowed to make claims against third parties who are not coworkers or employers. That means if someone from another company came in and their actions resulted in your injury, you could file a third-party claim for damages in addition to your workers’ compensation claim.

Lesiones laborales indemnizables en Rex

In Georgia, any worker in a company with at least three employees is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits when they sustain injuries or fall ill while performing their duties. Work-related injuries and occupational illnesses are not uncommon, and that’s why the Georgia Workers’ Comp Act exists. It is a form of coverage that’s designed to protect employees financially should they sustain injuries or become sick while at work.

Los salarios perdidos y las cuantiosas facturas médicas pueden convertirse en una gran carga, especialmente cuando un empleado no puede trabajar durante un período prolongado. Y aunque la indemnización laboral existe para apoyarlos durante estas situaciones, las leyes que la rodean no siempre son sencillas. Comprender las lesiones laborales compensables en Rex es vital antes de presentar una reclamación, ya que el simple hecho de sufrir una lesión no lo hace elegible para recibir beneficios.

Es precisamente por esto que es importante consultar a un abogado de indemnización laboral de Rexexperimentado. En la Coalición de Abogados de Indemnización Laboral, estamos comprometidos a ayudar a empleados como usted a determinar si su reclamación es válida y a buscar la indemnización que merecen. Llámenos hoy al 470-518-5026 para conocer sus opciones legales.

¿Cuáles son las lesiones laborales compensables en Rex, GA?

Para poder calificar para beneficios económicos, su lesión debe ser compensable. De acuerdo con la Ley del Estado de Georgia, un trabajador debe sufrir lesiones accidentales o una enfermedad profesional para que su reclamación sea considerada compensable. Además, debe cumplir con las siguientes condiciones:

Injury Resulted From Your Work Duties

There should be some form of cause & effect connection between your injury and the nature of your job. So, if you happened to experience a stroke while walking through your place of work, the condition won’t be considered compensable as it did not have any connection with your duties.

La lesión se sufrió en el curso del desempeño de sus funciones

Esto básicamente significa que la lesión debe haber ocurrido mientras usted estaba trabajando. La lesión no se considerará compensable si estaba fuera del sitio de trabajo y no estaba trabajando cuando ocurrió. La lesión debe ocurrir mientras realiza funciones relacionadas con el trabajo.

Si cumple con estas condiciones, tiene derecho a solicitar una indemnización laboral. Esto se hace presentando el Formulario WC-14 ante la Junta Estatal de Indemnización Laboral.

Lesiones laborales comunes en Rex

Hay todo tipo de lesiones que pueden ocurrir en un lugar de trabajo, pero algunas tienden a ser más prevalentes que otras. Las lesiones comunes por accidentes laborales incluyen:

Amputaciones

Los entornos de trabajo donde la maquinaria y los equipos pesados son comunes suelen ser susceptibles a accidentes imprevistos. En algunos casos, los empleados sufren amputaciones en tales accidentes.

Fractures

Bone fractures are another common work-related injury. These happen in all sorts of ways, including injury from heavy equipment and slip & fall accidents.

Dolor articular

Los empleados también experimentan dolores articulares como resultado del sobreesfuerzo al manipular equipos o mercancías pesadas. Los trabajos que implican levantar objetos y agacharse pueden provocar problemas de espalda, rodillas y articulaciones.

Agresión

No es raro que los empleados o compañeros de trabajo no estén de acuerdo en el lugar de trabajo y esto derive en una pelea. Si bien el agresor no es elegible para recibir una indemnización, usted puede recuperar beneficios económicos si estaba actuando en el mejor interés de la empresa. Un ejemplo es intentar proteger la propiedad de la empresa.

Agravación de una condición existente

El hecho de tener una condición preexistente no lo descalifica para recuperar beneficios de indemnización laboral. Siempre que pueda probar que la naturaleza de su trabajo aceleró o agravó la condición, usted es elegible para recibir beneficios de indemnización laboral.

Enfermedades profesionales

Condiciones como la pérdida auditiva, la pérdida de visión, el túnel carpiano, las enfermedades cardíacas, los accidentes cerebrovasculares, etc., se consideran lesiones laborales compensables en Rex siempre que proporcione pruebas que demuestren un vínculo causal entre la enfermedad y la naturaleza de su trabajo.

Resbalones y caídas

Este es quizás el tipo más común de lesión en el lugar de trabajo. Los resbalones y caídas suelen ser el resultado de pisos mojados, cables mal colocados y mala iluminación.

Quemaduras

Los entornos de trabajo donde los empleados están expuestos al fuego o al calor extremo pueden provocar quemaduras. Los trabajadores también pueden sufrir quemaduras químicas.

¿Qué tipos de indemnización puede reclamar en Rex, GA?

Usted puede reclamar:

Beneficios de incapacidad temporal

Esta categoría incluye beneficios de incapacidad parcial temporal y beneficios de incapacidad total temporal. Los primeros beneficios están disponibles para los empleados que pueden regresar a trabajar pero con limitaciones. Esta forma de indemnización es elegible si no puede generar el 80% de los ingresos que percibía antes del accidente.

Por otro lado, los beneficios de incapacidad total temporal son elegibles para aquellos que no pueden regresar a trabajar debido a sus lesiones. Durante este período, debe recibir un monto equivalente a 2/3 de su ingreso promedio.

Beneficios médicos

Si ha sufrido una lesión mientras desempeñaba sus funciones en el trabajo, es elegible para recibir beneficios médicos, cubiertos por su empleador.

Beneficios de incapacidad total permanente

Si alcanza la mejoría médica máxima o MMI, pero aún tiene lesiones tan graves que es incapaz de regresar a trabajar, puede ser elegible para beneficios de incapacidad total permanente.

Beneficios por fallecimiento

Si una lesión relacionada con el trabajo o una enfermedad profesional causa la muerte de un trabajador, sus seres queridos tienen derecho a presentar una reclamación por las pérdidas económicas resultantes del fallecimiento.

¿Cuál es el plazo de prescripción para los casos de indemnización laboral en Georgia?

Según la Ley de Indemnización Laboral del Estado, tiene un año a partir de la fecha de la lesión para presentar una reclamación de indemnización laboral. Para enfermedades profesionales, debe presentar su reclamación dentro de un año tras descubrir la relación causal entre la condición y la naturaleza de su trabajo. Sin embargo, la ley establece un plazo límite de 7 años a partir de la última exposición peligrosa.

¡Contrate hoy a un abogado profesional de indemnización laboral en Rex!

Si ha sufrido lesiones o desarrollado una enfermedad profesional mientras estaba en el trabajo, puede ser elegible para recibir beneficios de indemnización laboral. Un abogado de la Coalición de Abogados de Indemnización Laboral le ayudará a evaluar su caso y determinar si tiene una reclamación válida con respecto a lesiones laborales compensables en Rex, Georgia.

Las enfermedades o lesiones sufridas en el trabajo pueden tener efectos a largo plazo, por lo que es importante asegurarse de tomar los pasos adecuados para proteger sus derechos. ¡Póngase en contacto llamando al 470-518-5026 para una consulta inicial gratuita y sin compromiso!

Lesiones Laborales Indemnizables en Rex