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.

Mejoría Médica Máxima en Watkinsville

Cuando usted se enferma o sufre una lesión en el lugar de trabajo, necesita recibir una compensación completa por sus lesiones o enfermedad. El seguro de compensación para trabajadores está diseñado para proporcionar los gastos médicos necesarios, los beneficios por discapacidad y los salarios caídos a los trabajadores. Pero el empleador o la compañía de seguros siempre intentarán estafar a las víctimas ofreciéndoles la tarifa más baja posible. Debe contratar al mejor abogado de compensación laboral para manejar su reclamo de Mejoría Médica Máxima en Watkinsville.

Alcanzar la mejoría médica máxima o MMI se considera un hito. Significa que la condición de salud ha sanado tanto como es posible y no mejorará más. Es posible que deba soportar dolor y molestias por el resto de su vida. La compañía de seguros decidirá resolver el reclamo cuando usted alcance el MMI. Si ha alcanzado el MMI y el proveedor de seguros está intentando resolver su reclamo, debe trabajar con un abogado de compensación laboral en Watkinsville, GA profesional y experimentado para obtener los máximos beneficios posibles por sus lesiones.

La Coalición de Abogados de Compensación para Trabajadores en Watkinsville, GA es su socio de confianza para manejar su reclamo de compensación laboral y obtener los máximos beneficios por sus lesiones. Tenemos las habilidades, la experiencia y el conocimiento necesarios para lidiar con cualquier tipo de reclamo de WC. De hecho, hemos representado a cientos de trabajadores lesionados en el pasado y hemos ganado millones de dólares en su nombre.

Nuestro equipo cuenta con amplia experiencia en la gestión de su reclamación y en la obtención de los máximos beneficios en su nombre. Siempre lo trataremos como a una persona y no como a un simple número. Llame hoy mismo a Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition en Watkinsville, Georgia, al 470-518-5026 para que gestionemos su reclamación de indemnización laboral y obtenga la compensación que legítimamente merece.

¿Qué es la Mejoría Médica Máxima o MMI?

El MMI o mejoría médica máxima es un término que se utiliza para describir una situación en la que un trabajador lesionado mejora tanto médicamente como sea posible. Aunque es posible que mejore tanto médicamente como sea posible, aún puede experimentar algo de dolor y molestias. De hecho, el dolor y la discapacidad pueden aparecer a veces por el resto de su vida.

Pero el médico tratante determinará que usted no está en posición de mejorar. El tratamiento será continuo si proporciona manejo del dolor . Una vez que alcance el estado de MMI, el médico tratante le asignará una calificación de discapacidad permanente.

¿Quién determina cuándo alcanza la mejoría médica máxima?

Solo el médico tratante puede determinar cuándo ha alcanzado la mejoría médica máxima o MMI. Ni su empleador ni la compañía de seguros pueden determinar que ha alcanzado el MMI. Si lo hacen, será anulado y considerado ilegal.

De hecho, la MMI es un estado al que se llega solo después de haber recibido tratamiento médico. La MMI no significa que usted esté totalmente recuperado. Simplemente significa que ha mejorado médicamente todo lo posible. El médico tratante puede indicarle tratamientos para el manejo del dolor o fisioterapia para estabilizar aún más su condición.

Lo más importante es contratar al mejor abogado de indemnización laboral en Watkinsville, Georgia, para que gestione su reclamación. Nuestros abogados cuentan con amplia experiencia para gestionar su reclamación y ayudarle a obtener la máxima compensación posible. Llame hoy mismo a Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition en Watkinsville, Georgia, al 470-518-5026 para que gestionemos su reclamación de indemnización laboral y obtenga la compensación que legítimamente merece.

¿Continúa el tratamiento después de un diagnóstico de MMI en Watkinsville?

Sí, en la mayoría de los casos, el tratamiento médico continuará incluso después de que el paciente alcance la máxima mejoría médica o MMI. Por ejemplo, si se le autoriza a volver al trabajo sin restricciones o con ciertas restricciones, el tratamiento médico puede continuar dependiendo de su condición.

La mejor manera de reclamar los máximos beneficios es conseguir un abogado con experiencia para que maneje su reclamo. Los abogados de la Coalición de Abogados de Compensación para Trabajadores son su mejor opción para manejar el reclamo y obtener los máximos beneficios en el proceso. Tenemos la experiencia y el conocimiento necesarios para manejar reclamos de compensación para trabajadores y ayudarle a obtener los máximos beneficios por sus lesiones.

¿Qué pasa si no puede regresar a trabajar y desempeñarse igual después del MMI?

Incluso después de un diagnóstico de mejoría médica máxima en Watkinsville, es posible que le resulte difícil regresar a su puesto anterior debido a la naturaleza de las lesiones. No obstante, continuará recibiendo beneficios médicos y beneficios por discapacidad. Los beneficios pueden continuar durante 400 semanas, y si no puede regresar a trabajar a tiempo completo debido a sus lesiones, recibirá beneficios por discapacidad permanente del seguro de compensación para trabajadores. Sus beneficios temporales terminarán después de 400 semanas cuando comience a recibir beneficios de compensación laboral en Georgia permanentes.

¡Llámenos hoy para entender su mejoría médica máxima en Watkinsville!

Llame hoy a la Coalición de Abogados de Compensación para Trabajadores en Watkinsville, GA al 470-518-5026 para manejar su reclamo de compensación laboral y obtener la compensación que legítimamente merece. Somos su socio de confianza en Watkinsville, GA para reclamar los máximos beneficios por sus lesiones. Nuestros abogados han representado cientos de reclamos de WC en el pasado y han ganado millones de dólares en nombre de nuestros clientes. Si desea obtener los máximos beneficios por sus lesiones, siempre puede confiar en nuestro equipo experimentado.

Cuando se ha lesionado o enfermado en el trabajo, tiene derecho a reclamar los beneficios de compensación laboral por sus lesiones. Las leyes de compensación para trabajadores de Georgia son algo complejas. Necesita contratar a los mejores abogados de WC en la ciudad para ayudar con su reclamo y obtener los máximos beneficios en el proceso.

Nuestro equipo en Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition es su mejor opción para representar su caso. Llámenos hoy mismo al 470-518-5026 para que gestionemos su reclamación de indemnización laboral y obtenga la compensación que legítimamente merece.

Compensación de Trabajadores Máxima Mejora Médica en Watkinsville