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.

Workers' Compensation Benefits in Union City

Las reglas para los beneficios de compensación para trabajadores en Union City son bastante diferentes de otros tipos de demandas por lesiones personales. Si se ha lesionado en el trabajo o ha sufrido una enfermedad laboral en Union City, GA, es posible que le interese conocer los tipos de beneficios a los que puede tener derecho, así como cuánto puede esperar de su reclamo.

Comprender cómo funcionan los reclamos de compensación para trabajadores, incluyendo lo que debe hacer o no hacer durante el proceso, puede ser bastante complicado. Por esta razón, es fundamental que contrate a un abogado de compensación para trabajadores de Union City experto que lo guíe a lo largo del proceso. Recuerde que su empleador y su compañía de seguros no tienen ningún interés en ver que usted obtenga la compensación máxima a la que tiene derecho y harán todo lo posible para que su reclamo sea denegado o devaluado.

Nuestros abogados lo ayudarán a presentar una defensa sólida contra tales medidas y se esforzarán por garantizar que reciba todos los beneficios que merece. Tenemos años de experiencia manejando estos reclamos y sabemos cuál es la mejor manera de gestionar tanto estos casos como a las partes involucradas para asegurar el mejor resultado para usted.

Llame hoy a Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition al 470-518-5026 o complete nuestro formulario de contacto para comenzar con su reclamación de indemnización por accidentes laborales.

Límites de ingresos de la compensación para trabajadores de Georgia

Gracias a las reglas vigentes con respecto a la cantidad máxima que se le puede pagar en beneficios por ingresos, puede obtener un cálculo aproximado de cuánto puede esperar si su reclamo tiene éxito.

Por lo general, su pago de compensación para trabajadores se calcula como dos tercios de su salario semanal promedio. Sin embargo, esto está sujeto a cambios dependiendo de la cantidad de su salario, así como de cuándo ocurrió la lesión.

Por ejemplo, la cantidad máxima que se puede pagar por beneficios por discapacidad parcial temporal se limita a $675 por semana para lesiones ocurridas a partir del 1 de julio de 2019, y son pagaderos únicamente por un máximo de 400 semanas. Más información sobre estos y otros límites a continuación.

Tipos de beneficios de compensación para trabajadores en Union City, GA

Hay cuatro tipos principales de beneficios por discapacidad disponibles en compensación para trabajadores de Georgia. En el contexto de la compensación para trabajadores, la discapacidad es la incapacidad de un individuo para trabajar después de sufrir una lesión en el trabajo. Estos son los tipos de beneficios de compensación para trabajadores disponibles en Georgia:

Beneficios por incapacidad total temporal (TTD)

Si después de sus lesiones un médico aprobado determina que no puede trabajar o se le recomienda un trabajo liviano y su lugar de trabajo no cuenta con labores livianas, puede ser elegible para recibir beneficios por discapacidad total temporal. Sin embargo, debe tener en cuenta que este tipo de beneficios solo se activan si permanece sin trabajar durante al menos 7 días. En caso de que permanezca sin trabajar durante 21 días consecutivos, también calificará para el pago de los primeros 7 días.

Si se le otorgan, sus pagos se calcularán como dos tercios de su salario semanal promedio. Sin embargo, existe un límite superior para la cantidad que puede recibir, independientemente de la regla de los dos tercios.

La cantidad máxima que puede recibir en beneficios por TTD tiene un tope de $675 por semana si su lesión ocurrió a partir del 1 de julio de 2019. Los pagos se realizarán por un máximo de 400 semanas a partir de la fecha de la lesión, a menos que se le recomiende un trabajo liviano, en cuyo caso los pagos se limitarán a 52 semanas consecutivas.

Beneficios por incapacidad parcial temporal (TPD)

Los beneficios parciales temporales están disponibles para usted si se determina que puede trabajar, pero solo con una capacidad de trabajo liviano. Estos beneficios están diseñados para compensarlo por dos tercios de la diferencia salarial creada por el hecho de trabajar menos o durante menos horas de las que solía hacerlo antes de sus lesiones.

Estos beneficios se calculan como dos tercios de la diferencia salarial; sin embargo, se limitan a un máximo de $450 por semana para lesiones ocurridas a partir del 1 de julio de 2019. Los beneficios por TPD solo se pueden pagar por un máximo de 350 semanas a partir de la fecha de la lesión.

Beneficios por incapacidad parcial permanente (PPD)

Los beneficios por discapacidad parcial permanente están disponibles si un médico aprobado determina que ha alcanzado la mejoría médica máxima. Esto significa que sus lesiones o su condición no probablemente mejoren más. Una vez que se determine que ha alcanzado la MMI, su médico le asignará una calificación de discapacidad.

Estos beneficios se calculan multiplicando su calificación de discapacidad por su salario semanal promedio. La cantidad máxima de semanas que puede esperar recibir estos pagos dependerá de la parte del cuerpo afectada. El estado de Georgia ha establecido un número particular de semanas durante las cuales se pueden pagar los beneficios por PPD para diferentes partes del cuerpo. Por ejemplo, el número máximo de semanas permitidas para la mano es de 160 semanas y de 60 semanas para el pulgar.

Beneficios por Incapacidad Total Permanente (PTD)

En caso de que sufra una lesión catastrófica que califique o experimente la pérdida o la pérdida de función de dos o más partes principales del cuerpo, puede calificar para recibir beneficios por discapacidad total pagados por un número ilimitado de semanas. Los cálculos para los beneficios por discapacidad total son básicamente los mismos que para los beneficios por discapacidad total temporal.

¿Cómo se calculan los beneficios de compensación para trabajadores en Union City, GA?

Básicamente, los beneficios por ingresos de compensación para trabajadores se calculan como dos tercios de su salario semanal promedio. Su salario semanal promedio se considera la variable más importante al calcular los beneficios.

Por lo general, en el estado de Georgia, su salario semanal promedio se determina como el salario semanal promedio de las últimas 13 semanas consecutivas previas a la fecha de la lesión; es decir, se toma su ingreso total de las últimas 13 semanas y se divide entre 13.

En caso de que no haya trabajado sustancialmente durante este período, se utiliza el salario semanal promedio de otro empleado similar.

¿Los beneficios de compensación para trabajadores de Georgia están sujetos a impuestos?

Si está buscando presentar un reclamo de compensación para trabajadores en Georgia, es muy posible que le interese saber si sus beneficios estarán sujetos a impuestos. No, los ingresos provenientes de reclamos exitosos de compensación para trabajadores no pagan impuestos en Georgia.

Podemos ayudarle a obtener los máximos beneficios que se merece

Lidiar con una reclamación de indemnización laboral en Union City, GA no es tarea fácil. Muchos empleados lesionados por lo general no saben por dónde empezar, las reglas que deben seguir y cómo lidiar con la resistencia de los empleadores y las compañías de seguros. Esto significa que a menudo terminan sin recibir los beneficios de compensación a los que tienen derecho.

Para superar los obstáculos que enfrentan los solicitantes y evitar los errores comunes cometidos durante el proceso, es necesario contar con la asistencia de un abogado experimentado en Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition. Le ayudaremos a obtener la indemnización económica que se le debe. Llámenos hoy al 470-518-5026 para hablar con uno de nuestros abogados y obtener más información sobre su caso.

Beneficios de Compensación para Trabajadores en Union City