Getting injured while on the job causes workers to miss work as they recover. Workers’ compensation insurance is meant to provide financial support to employees during such times. However, employers and insurance companies may refuse to pay workers’ compensation benefits due to various reasons. If you’ve been injured in a workplace accident, a Fayetteville workers’ compensation lawyer can help you get maximum compensation for your injuries.
At Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition, our experienced lawyers can protect your rights after getting injured at work. We represent workers in Fayetteville and all over Georgia who are injured at work. Our legal team will conduct an independent investigation into your case and offer you the best legal options for your workers’ compensation case.
Contact us today to schedule your free case review. We will determine the extent of your injuries and the value of your claim. Let our Fayetteville workers’ compensation attorneys help you get your life back on track.
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What Is Workers Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a business insurance coverage that protects employees who suffer injuries after workplace accidents. This government-mandated system pays for the medical bills, wage replacement, and other damages suffered by injured employees. All employers in Georgia are required to have workers’ comp insurance for their employees.
Every state has different workers’ comp laws. It’s important to consult an experienced Fayetteville workers’ compensation lawyer if you’ve been hurt while on the job. Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition can help you understand your rights and responsibilities after a workplace accident.
What Should I Do if I’m Hurt on the Job?
There are certain things you should do to strengthen your workers’ comp claim in Fayetteville, GA, including:
- Report the incident to your employer. Inform your supervisor about the injury and what happened. Don’t wait too long to report your injury.
- See an authorized physician even if you think you are okay. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent after an accident.
- Document everything about the incident, including how it happened, involved parties, witnesses, location of the scene, and the symptoms you are experiencing.
- Photograph any visible injuries. Remember, injuries may heal and seem less severe as time passes. This may hurt your workers’ compensation case in Fayetteville.
- File a workers’ comp claim with the help of an attorney. Our lawyers will fight to protect your rights and ensure you are fairly compensated for your injuries.
- Rest and recuperate.
What Are the Most Common Workplace Accident Injuries?
According to the National Safety Council, overexertion and bodily reaction, slip, trips, and falls, and contact with objects are the leading causes of workplace injuries. They account for over 84% of work-related non-fatal injuries. Here are some of the common injuries that employees in Fayetteville face:
- Back and neck injuries
- Amputations
- Burns
- Joint pain
- Slip and fall
- Fractures
- Hearing loss
- Construction accidents
- Accident while on a work-related trip
- Equipment or tool-related accidents
Why Should I Hire a Fayetteville Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
After a workplace injury, your health should be your priority. Still, you deserve your rightful compensation after being injured while performing your job. A reliable workers’ compensation lawyer in Fayetteville can help you with all aspects of your case while you recuperate. Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition will evaluate your case, gather evidence, file a claim, negotiate with the insurance company and represent your interests before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC).
You can reach out to our reputable law firm in Fayetteville if your employer or their insurance company has:
- Denied your workers’ comp claim
- Undervalued your lost wages
- Forced you to return to work before your full recovery
- Prevented you from seeking a second medical opinion
- Denied claims for emotional damage, scarring, and permanent injuries
Our legal team will file all necessary forms and attend hearings on your behalf to ensure you get maximum compensation after your workplace injury.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Fayetteville Workers Compensation Attorney?
Most workers comp lawyers in Georgia operate on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay anything until the end of your case. According to Georgia law, law firms aren’t allowed to charge more than 25% of your compensation award. Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition bears all the risks of representing you. You pay nothing unless we win.
What Should I Do if My Workers Compensation Claim is Denied?
There’s no guarantee that the insurance provider will approve your compensation claim. If the company denies your claim, reach out to a competent workers’ compensation lawyer near Fayetteville immediately. Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition will gather enough evidence to support your comp claim. Our legal team will prove that the workplace accident caused your injury. We will then proceed to file an appeal with SBWC using the WC-14 form.
What Responsibility Does the Employee Have in Filing a Workers Comp Claim?
After a workplace injury, here’s what you should do:
- Report the accident within 30 days
- Visit an authorized medical facility immediately
- File a claim before Georgia’s statute of limitations expires
What Responsibility Does the Employer Have in the Workers Compensation Process?
Your employer also has certain responsibilities after a workplace accident. They include:
- Inform the insurance provider about your accident
- Offer emergency medical care
- Launch an internal investigation into the incident
- Provide any required information requested by SBWC or the insurance company
Can I Be Fired for Filing a Workers Comp Claim in Georgia?
No, your employer can’t fire you for filing a claim. This amounts to wrongful termination. If you are facing such a dilemma, contact Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition immediately. We will advise you accordingly and file a wrongful termination lawsuit against your employer.
Is There a Time Limit to File a Workers Comp Claim in Fayetteville, Georgia?
You have one year from the date of your workplace accident to file a claim in Georgia. This time limit also applies from the last time you received a medical payment. If you don’t file a claim within this period, you won’t be eligible for any compensation benefits.
Can I Sue My Employer?
Georgia’s workers’ comp insurance falls under the no-fault system. Here, your employer is protected from tort liability. As a result, you cannot sue them for your work-related injury. Your only recourse is to file a claim with the employer’s insurance company for compensation benefits.
However, certain instances allow you to sue your employer. For instance, cases such as negligent hiring, lack of safety gear, and physical altercation with your employer are grounds you can use to sue your employer.
Can an Independent Contractor File a Workers Comp Claim?
Workers’ compensation insurance in Georgia doesn’t cover independent contractors. However, some employers may try to take advantage of this loophole and misclassify employees as independent contractors. If you believe your employer has misclassified you as an independent contractor, Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition can help you determine if you are an employee. If we find out that you’ve been misclassified, we will help you file a Fayetteville workers’ compensation claim.
What Is My Fayetteville Workers Compensation Claim Worth?
Many injured employees often wonder how much they’ll get after a workplace accident. It’s normal to worry about the amount you’ll receive as compensation. Workers’ comp insurance in Georgia pays for:
- Your medical bills from an authorized medical facility. These expenses may include medication, diagnostic procedures, and surgery costs. Workers’ comp covers all necessary treatment costs associated with your injury. There are no deductibles. Your employer’s insurer is required to cover all medical expenses.
- Rebab costs associated with your injury. This may include physical or occupational therapy costs.
- Travel expenses associated with your workplace accident, such as ambulance rides, doctor appointments, and parking fees.
- Wage replacement benefits to cover temporary disability. These income benefits should be two-thirds of your weekly wage. There’s a $575 weekly cap on these benefits.
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits once your physician issues a disability rating. This should comply with the American Medical Association Guidelines.
- Death benefits for dependents in the event of the death of an employee after a workplace accident. This includes lost wages and funeral expenses.
The Employee Handbook provided by the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation details employee rights and benefits after a workplace injury. If you have been hurt in a workplace accident, you may be eligible for medical, income, and death benefits.
Speak to a Fayetteville Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today!
Getting hurt while performing your job can be stressful. You may end up missing work and incurring significant medical bills after your accident. During this difficult time, insurance companies will look for any reason to deny or limit your payout. An experienced Fayetteville workers’ compensation attorney can help you throughout the claims process.
Georgia’s workers’ comp laws are complicated. You can’t understand everything there is to know in a day or a week. Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition has an experienced and knowledgeable legal team ready to help you with your workers’ compensation case. We are well-versed in the ins and outs of workers’ compensation laws.
Call us today at 470-518-5026 to find out if you have a case. We offer free case reviews for all workers’ comp cases in Fayetteville, GA. Get started now to find out how our lawyers can help you with your claim.