Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Gainesville, GA

Workplace injuries have many causes. Whether you’ve fallen, overexerted yourself, or you’ve come into contact with heavy objects or equipment, you deserve to receive the proper compensation for your injuries. When you work with the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition, you won’t have to rely on guesswork when it comes to your benefits.

Not only will we provide you with answers and guidance, but we’ll make sure you receive the workers’ comp benefits in Gainesville that you’re owed. Contact us today at 470-518-5026 if you want to have your case evaluated for free.

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Are There Limits on Georgia Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

Typically, workers that receive benefits will receive two-thirds of their average weekly wages before their injury. With that said, there is a cap on the amount of benefits you are eligible to receive. The maximum that a worker can receive in Temporary Total Disability benefits is $675. If your injury occurred before 7/1/19, the cap on benefits will be lower.

Not only are there limitations on the amount of money workers can receive, but there are also limits on how long workers can receive benefits. For non-catastrophic claims, benefits end at 400 weeks from the date of the accident. If a worker has suffered permanent benefits because of their injury, however, they may be eligible to collect permanent benefits.

Gainesville Workers Compensation Benefits Infographic

Types of Workers’ Comp Benefits in Georgia

Employees can claim the following workers’ comp benefits in Gainesville, Georgia.

Temporary Total Disability Benefits (TTD)

TTD benefits are targeted towards workers that have sustained an injury that prevents them from returning to work. To qualify for these benefits, you must have been injured on the job or while carrying out work-related activities. You must also report an accident to your employer in a timely manner.

After reporting your injury, you will be assessed by a physician that will determine if you are able to work. In order to receive benefits, you must be out of work for more than seven days. After you have been approved for these benefits, you will continue to receive them until you return to work, you’ve reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), or until 400 weeks have passed.

Temporary Partial Disability Benefits (TPD)

If you are able to return to work with restrictions after your injury, you could qualify for TPD benefits. These benefits are designed to make up a portion of the difference between your pre-injury wages and the wages you are able to earn now. These benefits could also cover lost wages due to doctor’s appointments or physical therapy.

In order to be eligible for these benefits, you must be earning less than you did in the 13 weeks before you were injured. Some patients initially receive TTD benefits but transition to TPD benefits as their condition improves and they are able to return to work on a restricted basis.

Permanent Partial Disability Benefits (PPD)

Not all workers’ comp benefits are designed to be temporary in nature. If you are permanently impaired because of your injury, you may be able to collect PPD benefits. You do not need to have suffered an economic loss to be eligible for PPD benefits, but you do need to have suffered an injury that qualifies for PPD under Georgia law.

According to Georgia statutes, permanent partial disability occurs when a worker has lost a body part or lost the use of a part of the body. After your physician has declared that your condition will no longer improve, you will be given an impairment rating that specifies the percentage of loss you’ve experienced.

Paper man under workers' comp umbrella, workers' comp benefits in Gainesville

Your doctor’s assessment will determine the award you are eligible for. The maximum number of weeks you can collect benefits will vary based on the body part that has been injured. Your benefits will be calculated by applying the percentage rating your doctor has assigned to the maximum benefit for your injury. If the maximum benefit for your injury is 160 weeks, and you have been given an impairment rating of 50%, you can receive benefits for 80 weeks.

Permanent Total Disability Benefits (PTD)

In Georgia, there is not a separate category of benefits for permanent and total disability, but workers that have sustained a catastrophic injury may still be able to collect benefits on a permanent basis. These benefits are equivalent to TTD benefits, but will not expire after 400 weeks have passed.

For an injury to qualify as catastrophic, a worker must have lost both of their hands, arms, legs, or feet. An injury in which someone lost a combination of two of those body parts would also be labeled as catastrophic, as would injuries that involved a permanent loss of vision in both eyes.

How Are Workers’ Comp Benefits in Gainesville, Georgia Calculated?

Workers’ compensation benefits are based on a worker’s earnings across the 13 weeks prior to their accident. Average wages will be calculated after information on a worker’s wages is submitted to the proper authorities. While workers that earn more are eligible to receive more in benefits, there is a cap on how much a worker can receive.

TPD benefits are calculated based on the difference between what a worker is earning currently and what a worker earned before the accident. Workers will receive 80% of the difference between their previous and current earnings. The amount you are eligible to collect may vary over time.

Are Workers’ Compensation Benefits Taxed?

Since benefits are not considered to be income, workers do not have to pay taxes on the benefits that they receive. This applies to both weekly payments and lump settlements that a worker receives. However, if you are receiving Social Security Benefits, those benefits could be reduced because of your workers’ compensation payments. Our lawyers can help you determine how your workers’ comp payments will impact you.

Let Us Help You Get Workers’ Comp Benefits in Gainesville, GA

Workers’ compensation laws can be difficult to navigate. It can be difficult for workers to calculate their benefits and determine what they are owed. If you want to guarantee that your rights are protected, you’ll want to work with Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition in Gainesville, GA. Contact us today at 470-518-5026 if you want to have your case evaluated for free.