Compensable Work Injuries in Fayetteville, GA

Employees who are covered under Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws can seek benefits if they sustain a work-related injury. Business or company owners who employ 3 or more workers are required to carry workers’ compensation. This way, injured workers can receive monetary benefits without suing their employers.

While workers’ compensation provides benefits to injured employees and protects employers against lawsuits, not all workplace injuries are covered under this system. Basically, you are entitled to workers’ comp benefits only if you suffer compensable work injuries in Fayetteville which arises out of and in the course of employment.

If you have suffered a workplace injury and aren’t sure if you are eligible for workers’ comp benefits, it is important that you seek legal assistance. Our Fayetteville workers’ comp attorneys at Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition can help evaluate your claim to determine whether your injury is compensable. Call us today at 470-518-5026 to schedule a free legal consultation, and find the best representation for your compensable work injuries in Fayetteville, GA.

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What Are Compensable Injuries?

Georgia’s workers’ compensation law defines a compensable injury as that which arises out of and in the course of employment. It follows that you are covered under the workers’ compensation system if you suffer an injury while performing your normal job duties, or those assigned by your employer during assigned work hours. Any other injuries will most likely be deemed non-compensable, and you may not receive workers’ comp benefits.

Some common compensable work injuries in Fayetteville for which employees may receive benefits include:

Back or Neck Injuries

Regardless of how safe workplaces may seem, employees are always at risk of getting injured due to accidents. These include slip and fall accidents, which often result in back and neck injuries. Employees may also suffer neck or back injuries if they are hit by falling objects, which often happens in construction sites.

Fractures and Broken Bones

Trip and fall accidents may cause fractures if employees trip and fall awkwardly. Falling objects in workplaces may also result in fractures if the force is not as significant, or broken bones in the case of large objects.

Amputations and Paralysis

Among the most common catastrophic injuries are amputations and paralysis, and a worker may suffer these while going about their work duties. Employees who suffer paralysis or lose their limbs are considered to have suffered an impairment and are usually entitled to workers’ comp benefits.

Cuts or Lacerations

Employees who handle sharp tools or cutting objects in their workplaces are usually at risk of suffering cuts or lacerations. Depending on the seriousness of these injuries, such employees can spend some time out of work before making a full recovery.

Worker with broken arm who can claim compensable work injuries in Fayetteville

Burns

Depending on the nature of employment, employees could also suffer burns. Some of the commonest forms of burns include scalds which result from hot liquids and steam. Workers could also suffer burns due to chemicals, flammable liquids and gases, electricity, and harmful radiation.

Occupational Diseases

Workers are also covered under workers’ compensation if they contract illnesses associated with their particular industry or occupation. For instance, workers in mining industries may be exposed to dust and other harmful particles and are likely to develop respiratory conditions.

Long-Term Poisoning

Prolonged exposure to certain chemicals or drinking water that is contaminated with certain compounds can lead to long-term poisoning. If such exposure occurred in the course of employment, you may be entitled to workers’ comp benefits.

Hearing Loss

Employees who work in overly noisy environments, such as factories using large motors, may be at risk of losing their hearing ability, especially if hearing protection devices aren’t provided.

Aggravation of Pre-Existing Conditions

On-the-job aggravation of pre-existing conditions is covered under workers’ compensation. An employee has to show that an existing condition worsened due to their work duties. Benefits for such aggravation can only be given up to the point the employee returns to their previous position before on-the-job aggravation.

Injuries Arising in the Course of Work-Related Travels

Some injuries may occur when an employee is on a business trip or traveling to run a profitable errand for their employer. Such injuries are considered to be on-the-job injuries and are covered under workers’ compensation.

What Types of Compensation Can You Claim?

If you have sustained a work-related injury, you may receive various types of compensation depending on the nature of your injury. Some common types of compensation that you may claim include:

Fayetteville Workers Compensation Compensable Injury Infographic

Medical Benefits

If a workplace accident resulted in a significant injury that required medical treatment, you can make a claim to be compensated for medical treatment expenses. Specifically, you may receive medical benefits for the following expenses:

  • Surgery
  • Hospital stays
  • Prescription medicine
  • Doctor visitations
  • Occupational therapy
  • Medical equipment

Disability Benefits

You may also be in line to receive disability benefits if your workplace injury prevented you from working or kept you out of work for the statutory amount of time. In such a case, you may receive temporary total disability benefits. You may also claim temporary partial disability benefits if you are not able to return to your pre-injury work and can only work in a limited capacity.

If your treating physician finds that you have a permanent impairment and can only work on a limited capacity for the rest of your life, you may claim permanent partial disability benefits. An injury that permanently keeps you out of your pre-injury work or any other type of employment could lead to the award of permanent total disability.

Rehabilitation Benefits

If your injury necessitated vocational rehabilitation and any other services to prepare you to return to employment, you can claim rehabilitation benefits.

Death Benefits

Dependents of an employee who suffers a fatal workplace injury can file a claim to receive death benefits following the demise of their loved one.

Call the lawyers at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition when filing for compensable work injuries in Fayetteville, GA.

Workers' comp lawyer helping man with compensable work injuries in Fayetteville, GA

How Long Do You Have to File for Compensable Work Injuries in Fayetteville, GA?

In Georgia, you are required to file your workers’ comp claim within 1 year of your workplace injury. You risk losing your benefits if you file your claim after this time has elapsed.

Call Our Lawyers Today for Help Filing for Your Compensable Work Injuries in Fayetteville, GA

Workplace injuries can happen in any work environment, and employees who get injured while on the job are entitled to various benefits under workers’ compensation. However, the injury has to be compensable for such employees to receive workers’ comp benefits.

If you have been injured while on the job and aren’t sure whether your injury is compensable, call the law offices of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition in Fayetteville at 470-518-5026 to speak to one of our Fayetteville workers’ compensation lawyers.