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 compensables en Vidalia

Si se ha lesionado mientras estaba en el trabajo, puede tener derecho a una forma de compensación llamada compensación de trabajadores. Todos los empleadores en el estado de Georgia están obligados a tener un seguro de compensación de trabajadores si tienen tres o más empleados a tiempo parcial o completo. Esta información estará publicada en una pared cerca de donde los empleados registran su entrada y salida del trabajo, toman descansos o cerca de los baños.

La información publicada también incluirá una lista de al menos seis médicos aprobados por la compensación de trabajadores a los que los empleados pueden acudir si requieren atención médica por lesiones que reciban mientras están en el trabajo. Los empleados deben ver a uno de estos médicos para tratar las lesiones que ocurran mientras están trabajando.

Tras notificar a su empleador y acudir al médico, los empleados deben llamar a nuestros abogados de indemnización por accidentes de trabajo en Vidalia al 470-518-5026 para su consulta gratuita. Traiga a la consulta gratuita las copias de la notificación al empleador y la documentación que el médico le entregó tras su atención. Revisaremos toda la información con usted para determinar si es elegible para presentar una reclamación por lesiones laborales indemnizables en Vidalia.

¿Qué son las lesiones laborales compensables en Vidalia, GA?

Las lesiones compensables por accidentes de trabajo son cualquier lesión que ocurra mientras se está en el trabajo. Dichas lesiones no incluyen las que ocurren durante la hora del almuerzo o un descanso regular de las actividades laborales normales. Incluso los trabajos que pueden no parecer peligrosos, como los trabajos de oficina o de plataforma, pueden tener un elemento de peligro del que los empleados deben ser conscientes en todo momento.

Aquí hay una lista de lesiones comunes en el lugar de trabajo de las que todos los empleados, independientemente del tipo de trabajo que tengan, deben ser conscientes mientras trabajan.

Lesiones relacionadas con maquinaria: Lesiones que ocurren al operar maquinaria.
Accidentes en sitios de construcción: Lesiones que ocurren al trabajar en sitios de construcción.
Resbalones y caídas: Estas lesiones pueden deberse a pisos mojados, etc.
Objetos que caen: Objetos que caen de estanterías u otras áreas y lesionan a un empleado.
Quemaduras térmicas o químicas (incluida la inhalación): Todas las formas de quemaduras, incluidas las debidas a la inhalación.
Industrial accidents: Any accident that occurs while on the job.
Automóvil o equipo: Accidentes de montacargas u otras lesiones debido a fallas del vehículo que resulten en lesiones.
Lesiones de cuello: Lesiones en el cuello.
Lesiones de espalda: Lesiones en la espalda.
Fractures: Cualquier tipo de fractura que ocurra mientras se está en el trabajo.
Fallas de maquinaria: Lesiones que ocurren debido a fallas en la maquinaria.
Fallas de herramientas: Lesiones que ocurren debido a fallas en las herramientas.
Lesiones por movimientos repetitivos: Túnel carpiano y otras lesiones por movimientos repetitivos.
Lesiones articulares: Lesiones en las articulaciones.
Dolor articular: Dolor en las articulaciones mientras se está en el trabajo.
Lesiones al viajar por negocios: Esto aplica a los viajes de negocios, sin incluir el trayecto de ida y vuelta al trabajo.
Pérdida de audición: No usar tapones para los oídos adecuados puede contribuir a esto, así que use siempre equipo de protección.
Amputación: Pérdida de extremidades, dedos de las manos o de los pies mientras se está en el trabajo.
Sobreesfuerzo: Sobreesfuerzo o fatiga mientras se está en el trabajo.

¿Qué tipos de compensación puede reclamar?

Según las leyes de Georgia, puede recibir hasta dos tercios de su salario semanal con su reclamo de compensación para trabajadores. También puede ser elegible para el reembolso de facturas médicas, el reembolso de los medicamentos necesarios para tratar sus lesiones o afección, terapia física, reentrenamiento laboral si no puede regresar a su puesto de trabajo anterior, y más. También puede ser elegible para una incapacidad temporal, permanente o parcial según la gravedad de sus lesiones. Su médico asignará el nivel de sus lesiones según la gravedad de las mismas.

¿Cuánto tiempo tiene para solicitar la compensación de trabajadores en Georgia?

De acuerdo con las leyes del estado de Georgia, si se lesiona en el trabajo, tiene un año a partir del día de su lesión para presentar su reclamo de compensación para trabajadores. Si no presenta su reclamo de compensación para trabajadores dentro de ese plazo de un año, correrá el riesgo de perder posibles reclamos de compensación para trabajadores que puedan corresponderle por sus lesiones.

Call the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition in Vidalia, GA at 470-518-5026 to set up your free consultation and start your workers’ compensation claim today. Your workers’ compensation claim may help you to pay your medical bills, pay for medications required to treat your condition, and help you pay for physical therapy or job retraining if you’re unable to return to your former employment position.

Llame hoy mismo a nuestros abogados de compensación para trabajadores de Vidalia

Si se ha lesionado mientras estaba en el trabajo, puede ser elegible para recibir una compensación para trabajadores. Todos los empleadores en Georgia están obligados a tener un seguro de compensación para trabajadores si emplean a tres o más empleados, ya sea a tiempo parcial o completo. Los empleadores deben publicar su política de notificación y los nombres de al menos seis médicos autorizados de compensación para trabajadores en un lugar visible, como una sala de descanso, los baños de los empleados, donde los empleados registran su entrada y salida, u otra área común.

Notifique al empleador sobre las lesiones dentro de los 30 días posteriores a la lesión, siguiendo el procedimiento que el empleador haya establecido. Guarde una copia de esta notificación para presentar su reclamo. Después de visitar al médico autorizado de compensación para trabajadores, se le darán instrucciones sobre su afección. Guarde estas copias también para presentar su reclamo.

Llame a la Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition en Vidalia, GA al 470-518-5026 para su consulta gratuita sobre su reclamación de indemnización laboral. Traiga a su consulta gratuita toda la documentación que certifique su estado de salud y la notificación enviada a su empleador. Revisaremos su información y le ayudaremos a presentar su solicitud de indemnización por accidentes de trabajo durante esta cita. Usted ya tiene suficiente con enfocarse en la recuperación de sus lesiones.

Llámenos hoy mismo al 470-518-5026 y comencemos a trabajar en su reclamación antes de que venza el plazo límite de un año. Usted merece una indemnización por sus lesiones y, cuanto antes llame, antes podrá empezar a recibir ayuda con todas esas facturas. En la Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition, contamos con décadas de experiencia ayudando a trabajadores lesionados como usted.

Lesiones Laborales Indemnizables en Vidalia

¿Qué son las lesiones laborales compensables en Vidalia, GA?

¿Qué tipos de compensación puede reclamar?

¿Cuánto tiempo tiene para solicitar la compensación de trabajadores en Georgia?

Llame hoy mismo a nuestros abogados de compensación para trabajadores de Vidalia

Obtenga su revisión de caso GRATIS

Obtenga su revisión de caso GRATIS