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 Wrightsville

Si desea saber si tiene lesiones laborales indemnizables en Wrightsville, ha llegado al lugar indicado. En Georgia, la ley exige que toda empresa con más de dos trabajadores cuente con una cobertura de seguro de indemnización laboral. Esto protege a los empleados contra enfermedades y lesiones relacionadas con el trabajo. Si ha sufrido un accidente laboral, es su derecho legal presentar una reclamación de indemnización laboral para ser compensado por sus lesiones. Sin embargo, antes de poder recibir una indemnización por sus daños, debe cumplir con todos los requisitos legales.

Necesita trabajar con un hábil y experimentado abogado de compensación para trabajadores de Wrightsville que pueda ayudarle a superar cada etapa legal al tramitar su reclamación por lesiones. Además, también debe reconocer el hecho de que las compañías de seguros y su empleador no estarán de su lado al presentar una reclamación de compensación para trabajadores. La verdad es que serán la oposición y buscarán formas de negarle su reclamación o asegurarse de que reciba menos beneficios de los que merece.

En la Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Coalition hemos gestionado casos de indemnización por accidentes de trabajo durante mucho tiempo y, gracias a nuestra experiencia, puede estar seguro de que obtendrá un acuerdo justo. No arriesgue la oportunidad de recibir una indemnización justa al tramitar su reclamación de indemnización laboral por su cuenta, especialmente si no cuenta con experiencia legal. Podemos ayudarle a superar cualquier desafío legal que pueda enfrentar al defender sus derechos. Llámenos hoy mismo al 470-518-5026 y comenzaremos revisando su caso de manera gratuita.

¿Qué son las lesiones laborales indemnizables en Wrightsville, Georgia?

Como empleado en Wrightsville, Georgia, está legalmente obligado a cumplir estas condiciones si desea ser indemnizado por lesiones o enfermedades relacionadas con el trabajo.

La lesión o enfermedad fue causada por su trabajo

Según las leyes de compensación para trabajadores de Georgia, un empleado solo puede ser indemnizado por lesiones o enfermedades que «surjan del empleo». Eso significa que el accidente laboral en el que se vio involucrado el empleado lesionado debe estar relacionado con sus deberes laborales.

Se lesionó mientras trabajaba

Su reclamación será denegada si sufrió lesiones cuando estaba fuera de servicio o fuera del lugar de trabajo. Eso también significa que debe haber estado dentro del lugar de trabajo cuando ocurrió el accidente laboral y haber sufrido lesiones.

Lesiones laborales comunes cubiertas por la compensación de los trabajadores

Las empresas gastan mucho dinero invirtiendo en medidas de seguridad para que los trabajadores siempre tengan un entorno seguro para realizar sus tareas, pero esto nunca parece ser suficiente para prevenir accidentes laborales. Además, también debe comprender que algunos trabajadores se enfrentan a grandes riesgos mientras están de servicio, como los que trabajan en obras de construcción y los que manejan maquinaria pesada. Pero los accidentes y las lesiones pueden ocurrir en cualquier lugar de trabajo.

Algunas de las lesiones más comunes que sufren los trabajadores tras verse involucrados en un accidente relacionado con el trabajo incluyen;

Lesiones por Resbalones y Caídas

Las lesiones por resbalones y caídas pueden ocurrir en cualquier lugar de trabajo. No importa si trabaja en una oficina o en un accidente de construcción, las lesiones por resbalones y caídas ocurren de manera inesperada y pueden causar lesiones menores o graves. La causa principal de las lesiones por resbalones y caídas son las superficies mojadas, los pisos desnivelados y la mala iluminación.

Lesiones de espalda y cuello

Las lesiones de espalda y cuello también son casos comunes que los trabajadores reportan en Wrightsville, Georgia, tras verse involucrados en un accidente laboral. Las lesiones de espalda y cuello pueden ser causadas por la caída de objetos en el lugar de trabajo, levantar y cargar objetos pesados, y también como resultado de un accidente por resbalón y caída.

Pérdida auditiva

Esta es una lesión común sufrida por empleados que trabajan en lugares con ruido extremo, como discotecas, fábricas y mensajeros en motocicleta. Es por ello que se aconseja a los empleados de este sector usar equipo de protección mientras están de servicio.

Quemaduras

Las quemaduras son lesiones comunes sufridas por empleados que lidian con calor extremo mientras están de servicio. Este calor extremo puede ser causado por materiales altamente inflamables o durante el proceso de producción que implica el uso de fuego.

Dolor en las articulaciones

Esta lesión común está asociada con empujar y levantar cargas pesadas. Los empleados que sufren de esta lesión suelen quejarse de un dolor intenso experimentado en las diferentes secciones del cuerpo, incluyendo las rodillas, la espalda, los hombros, los tobillos, las caderas y las muñecas.

Amputaciones

En Wrightsville, Georgia, los empleados que han sufrido este tipo de lesión tienen derecho a beneficios de por vida. Las amputaciones suelen estar asociadas con accidentes laborales altamente destructivos, como la operación de maquinaria pesada avanzada.

¿Qué compensación puede reclamar por una lesión laboral en Georgia?

Según las leyes de compensación para trabajadores de Georgia, un empleado lesionado puede recibir los siguientes beneficios tras tramitar una compensación para trabajadores con la ayuda de un representante legal.

Atención médica
Gastos de viaje relacionados con el tratamiento médico
Rehabilitación vocacional
Recetas médicas
Terapia física

Si ha sufrido lesiones relacionadas con el trabajo y no está seguro de a qué beneficios tiene derecho, póngase en contacto con la Coalición de Abogados de Compensación para Trabajadores en Wrightsville, Georgia, y le ayudaremos con su reclamación.

¿Cuánto tiempo tiene para presentar una reclamación de compensación para trabajadores en Wrightsville, Georgia?

Según el estatuto de limitaciones en Georgia , un empleado lesionado debe presentar una reclamación de compensación para trabajadores en el plazo de un año después de sufrir una lesión laboral. Por lo tanto, si ha sufrido un accidente relacionado con el trabajo y ha resultado herido, comuníquese con nuestra oficina de inmediato para que podamos ayudarle a presentar su reclamación a tiempo.

Comuníquese con nuestros abogados de compensación laboral en Wrightsville

Un accidente laboral puede causar lesiones tanto leves como graves que pueden tardar mucho tiempo en sanar. Es por eso que necesita la ayuda de un abogado con experiencia para que pueda recuperarse de cualquier pérdida sufrida a raíz de enfermedades o lesiones relacionadas con el trabajo. Comuníquese con la Workers Compensation Lawyer Coalition en Wrightsville, Georgia, llamando al 470-518-5026 hoy mismo, y nosotros nos encargaremos de todos los desafíos legales.

Lesiones Laborales Indemnizables en Wrightsville