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.

Reportar una lesión laboral en Sandy Springs

Si trabaja en un negocio de Georgia con tres o más trabajadores, tiene derecho a recibir beneficios médicos y salariales si sufre una lesión en el trabajo o contrae una enfermedad profesional. Esto toma la forma de una indemnización por accidentes de trabajo. Si desea recibir beneficios de compensación de trabajadores, es necesario reportar una lesión laboral en Sandy Springs, Georgia.

Sin embargo, los reclamos de compensación de trabajadores no siempre son sencillos. Algunos empleadores y sus compañías de seguros pueden intentar privar a los empleados de sus beneficios completos, lo cual puede ser devastador cuando se tiene dolor y no se puede trabajar. Lo mejor es asegurarse de que sus derechos estén protegidos teniendo a un abogado de compensación de trabajadores de Sandy Springs a su lado.

Nuestros abogados no solo le ayudarán a determinar si tiene un reclamo válido, sino que también le guiarán a través del proceso de reclamo. Si sufrió una lesión y busca presentar un reclamo en Sandy Springs, ¡llame hoy mismo a la Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition al 470-518-5026 !

¿Cuánto tiempo tiene para reportar una lesión laboral en Sandy Springs?

Una vez que ocurre un accidente en el lugar de trabajo y usted sufre una lesión, tiene 30 días para reportarla. Teóricamente, es posible reportarla después de este período, pero entonces habrá desperdiciado parte de su período de elegibilidad para la compensación, lo que significa que no recibirá tanto como podría haber obtenido inicialmente.

Además, reportar una lesión después de los 30 días facilita que el empleador y otras partes denieguen su reclamo, especialmente porque va en contra de la ley. La mejor medida es reportar la lesión lo antes posible. Cuanto antes comience a preparar su caso, mayores serán las posibilidades de obtener los beneficios completos.

¿A quién se le debe reportar una lesión relacionada con el trabajo?

De acuerdo con la Ley de Compensación de Trabajadores de Georgia, los trabajadores lesionados deben notificar a sus empleadores, preferiblemente por escrito, sobre sus lesiones laborales. Como se mencionó anteriormente, la ley exige que lo haga dentro de los 30 días. Si el empleador no está disponible, debe notificar a su supervisor directo o a su representante.

¿Cuáles son las responsabilidades del empleador después de una lesión laboral?

Los empleadores tienen varias responsabilidades después de una lesión en el lugar de trabajo. Estas incluyen:

Brindar primeros auxilios y atención médica

Lo primero y más importante es atender el accidente brindando al lesionado los primeros auxilios necesarios y el transporte a un centro de atención médica. Si la lesión es grave, deben llamar inmediatamente al 911. El empleador le permite elegir un médico de su panel de médicos. Tenga en cuenta que solo podrá calificar para recibir beneficios si elige un médico de su lista.

Reportar la lesión

A continuación, el empleador debe reportar el accidente a la compañía de seguros si:

El trabajador tiene que recibir atención médica por una lesión o enfermedad laboral.
El trabajador tiene que tomarse un tiempo fuera del trabajo y no puede devengar su salario regular debido a la enfermedad o lesión.

Evaluar los requisitos de seguridad y capacitación en el lugar de trabajo

Los accidentes laborales son desafortunados y suelen requerir mayores medidas de seguridad y capacitación. Se espera que el empleador realice una auditoría de seguridad y trabaje con las partes pertinentes para aprender las mejores prácticas de seguridad en el lugar de trabajo.

¿Cuáles son las responsabilidades del empleado en caso de una lesión laboral?

Si sufre una lesión laboral, usted tiene las siguientes responsabilidades:

Reportar la lesión de inmediato

Reportar el accidente y las lesiones resultantes a su supervisor o empleador lo antes posible es vital. Según la naturaleza de su trabajo, los reclamos de compensación pueden variar un poco, pero son en su mayoría similares. Para reclamar beneficios de compensación laboral, debe estar lesionado. Tenga en cuenta que a medida que pasa el tiempo y la lesión sana, puede resultar difícil probar si afectó su trabajo u ocurrió mientras desempeñaba sus funciones.

Buscar atención médica

Obtener atención médica también es vital. De lo contrario, su empleador y la compañía de seguros podrían no creer en su reclamo. Independientemente de la gravedad de la lesión, es importante visitar a un médico y hacer que registre todo. Esto facilitará el proceso a la hora de hacer un reclamo.

Presentar un reclamo

Si ha sufrido una lesión en el trabajo, debe completar el formulario WC-14, también conocido como Notificación de Reclamo, y enviarlo a la Junta Estatal de Compensación de Trabajadores. Al mismo tiempo, debe enviar una copia a su empleador y al proveedor de seguros.

Guardar registros

Guardar sus propios informes y documentos sobre el accidente o lesión es una decisión inteligente. Esto se debe a que puede compararlos con los de su empleador y resaltar cualquier inconsistencia que pudiera arruinar su reclamo.

Mantener actualizado a su empleador

También tiene la responsabilidad de mantener a su empleador al tanto en caso de cualquier novedad. Por lo tanto, en caso de que el médico le ordene tomarse un tiempo fuera del trabajo, póngalo por escrito e infórmelo al empleador. Asegúrese de ser honesto en todo lo referente a su lesión. Tenga en cuenta que mentir podría hacerle perder su derecho a los beneficios de compensación de trabajadores.

¿Por qué debería contratar a un abogado de compensación de trabajadores de Sandy Springs?

Antes de iniciar el proceso de reclamo, es mejor contar con representación legal. El ámbito de la compensación de trabajadores puede ser complicado y abrumador cuando se está sufriendo y con dolor. El abogado adecuado le ayudará a navegar por el proceso de reclamo y evitar los errores comunes.

Deje que la Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition maneje su reclamo

La compensación de trabajadores es una forma importante de cobertura tanto para empleadores como para empleados. No solo ayuda a cubrir sus gastos médicos y salarios perdidos en caso de accidente, sino que también permite que la empresa pueda costearlo.

El proceso de compensación de trabajadores en Georgia debería ser simple y directo. Sin embargo, este no siempre es el caso, y hacer las cosas incorrectas o perder los plazos límite podría hacer que pierda los beneficios. Contrate a la Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition para evitar correr riesgos.

Le ayudaremos a reportar una lesión laboral en Sandy Springs y durante todo el proceso de compensación de trabajadores. ¡Llámenos al 470-518-5026 hoy mismo para una evaluación gratuita de su caso!

Informar Una Lesión Laboral en Sandy Springs