If you work for any company in Georgia with over three employees, you qualify for workers’ compensation. This is a form of coverage meant to protect employees financially if they sustain an injury or get sick while at work.
As simple and straightforward as it might sound, filing and handling a workers’ compensation claim can be overwhelming, especially if the employer and insurance company try to downplay the extent of your injury or condition. After all, insurance companies know that they get to save a lot of money if your claim is dismissed.
If you have sustained a work-related injury, a Griffin workers’ compensation lawyer can help determine whether your injury is compensable. Do not assume that your claim is not valid. There’s a good chance it might!
Allow the team at Workers’ Comp Lawyers Coalition in Griffin to handle your case by calling 470-518-5026 today! We have the knowledge and the experience to successfully handle compensable work injuries in Griffin, GA.
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What Are Compensable Work Injuries in Griffin, Georgia?
In order for your injury to be considered compensable, it needs to meet the following criteria:
Your Injury Should Be From Your Duties at Work
This implies that there should be some form of correlation between your injury and the nature of the job. So, for example, if you were walking through the workplace and experienced a stroke, it will not be considered compensable as it did not have any connection with your job.
The Injury Happened As You Were Doing Your Job
This simply means you sustained the injury as you were working or while at the workplace. If you sustain the injury off-site and during a break, it won’t be considered compensable. However, if you get injured while eating in a client’s office, then it’s compensable, given the meeting was part of your work duties.
For a workplace injury to be considered compensable, it must occur while doing a work-related task. If yours meets the above conditions, then you have a reason to seek compensation.
The Most Common Workplace Injuries
Some of the injuries we see most often include:
- Amputations: These are common in work environments where heavy machinery or equipment is used on a regular basis.
- Back and Neck Injuries: Muscle strains, soft tissues injuries, nerve injuries, and vertebrae injuries are not uncommon in workplaces.
- Burns: Some jobs involve exposure to fire or extreme heat. This puts the workers at risk of getting burn injuries.
- Slip & Fall: Slips and falls are some of the most common accidents in workplaces. An employee can slip and fall due to wet or icy floors, poor lighting, scattered debris, unstable walking paths, uneven cords, etc.
- Fractures: Bone fractures are another common workplace injury. They usually happen due to slipping and falling or an accident caused by heavy machinery/equipment.
- Joint Pain: Employees can also experience joint pains due to overexerting themselves while lifting heavy items
- Hearing Loss: This is an injury that’s primarily experienced in the construction industry and factory settings. The extreme noises can see workers in these environments experiencing hearing loss if they do not take ideal precautions.
Keep in mind that the nature of your injury should be obvious or you won’t be eligible for compensation. To know whether your injury or illness is considered compensable under Georgia’s Workers’ Comp Act, it is best to hire a skilled and experienced workers comp attorney.
What Types of Compensation Can I Claim?
If you sustain an injury while at work, you are entitled to the following:
- Physical therapy
- Medical care, including hospital stays, ambulance fees, surgery, etc.
- Travel expenses for treatment
- Medication and prescriptions
Also, you may qualify for vocational rehab. This differs in every state and that is why it’s advisable to seek the help of a workers’ compensation lawyer who is familiar with Georgia law as well as compensable work injuries in Griffin.
How Much Do I Qualify For My Injury?
The settlement amount you get from a work-related injury or illness will depend on the extent of the accident. Here, the following comes into play:
Temporary Disability
If an employee’s injuries are temporary but prevent them from performing their duties as they recover, they will be entitled to a Temporary Total Disability. This type of benefit is applicable for a total of 350 weeks from the date of the accident and amounts to 2/3 of your weekly wage.
Permanent Disability
When it comes to benefits for permanent disability, the type and extent of the injury also come into play. As such, it is important to take note of the following:
Scheduled Loss of Use: If a worker loses their hearing, vision, or a part of their body, they are eligible for permanent partial disability or PPD. Here, you’ll get a weekly payment of 2/3 of your weekly pay.
Permanent Total Disability: Also, you might be eligible for PTD benefits for the rest of your life. The payment is usually the same as temporary total disability.
What Is the Statute of Limitation for Workers’ Comp Claims in Georgia?
In the state of Georgia, employees or workers have one year from the date of injury to file a workers’ comp claim. This means you need to file for a claim within this period or your claim will be rendered null. Also, you are required to notify your employer about the accident within 30 days.
Why You Should Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Griffin, GA!
Workers’ comp claims often come with stringent rules in regards to the rights you have if you sustain an injury in Georgia while at work. Both your employer and the insurance provider are conversant in the regulations present in this field of law, while you might not. This is why it is often advisable to have a lawyer by your side, especially if you think your rights might be violated.
Our team at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition in Griffin has experience in this domain and knows everything there is about this complex system. We will provide professional assistance, fight for your rights and make sure you get the settlement you deserve. So, what are you waiting for? Call us today at 470-518-5026 and get the representation you deserve.
