Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Griffin, GA: Helping Injured Workers Get Maximum Benefits
A significant percentage of your life is spent at work, earning and providing for your loved ones. Between working under harsh conditions and laboring long hours, accidents in the workplace are bound to happen. It’s devastating to suffer an illness or injury because of a workplace accident – after all, a severe on-the-job injury means you won’t be able to perform your work duties, and no work means no pay.
If you have been injured at work or in the course of doing your duties on the job, seek the services of our Griffin workers’ compensation lawyer. In times of hardship, recovering the benefits and compensation you are owed is often the only consolation. When you work with Griffin workers’ comp lawyers from the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition, you can feel confident that your interests are in good hands. We are knowledgeable and have decades of experience representing injured workers.
Luckily, Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws do provide injured workers with legal remedies. This applies whether you’ve suffered a temporary or permanent disability. One thing a victim in workplace accidents can count on, your employer/their insurance carrier might not want to give you the fair treatment you deserve. Besides, Georgia’s workers’ comp laws are complicated, and you may have grounds to lodge a third-party claim, which can make your case even more complex.
Call us today at 470-518-5026 to schedule a free initial case review with one of our Griffin work injury attorneys.
What is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a state-governed insurance system designed for the sole purpose of protecting employees and employers in the event of workplace accidents and injuries. As part of this insurance system, injured workers can receive benefits if they suffer illnesses or injuries because of a workplace accident.
Georgia’s workers’ comp system does not assign fault for workplace injuries, so it doesn’t matter who was at fault; the injured worker is always eligible for benefits regardless of the circumstance of the fault of any workplace injury.
What Should I Do if I Suffer an Injury on the Job?
As a workplace injury victim, it can be challenging to think further than the next few minutes. You might have sustained a severe injury, and the only thing on your mind will probably be your health and well-being. Yet, the actions you take in the moments and days after suffering a workplace injury can make a significant impact on your workers’ compensation claim. Take the following steps after a work-related injury in Griffin, GA, for your best chance at a speedy recovery of workers’ compensation benefits.
Tell Your Employer About the Work Accident
You should report a work accident to your supervisor or manager as soon as you can. Georgia workers’ compensation law requires you to report your workplace accident to your employer within 30 days. Delays can lead to complications or even the denial of your benefits.
Get Medical Attention
If your injury is an emergency, go to the nearest emergency room immediately. In Georgia, for non-emergency treatment, you must see a doctor from your employer’s list of approved physicians. Prompt medical care helps your recovery and also creates a record of your injury, which is vital for your claim.
Follow the instructions given by the medical professional; attend all the appointments, take the prescribed medications, and follow all of the work restrictions you’re given.
Keep a Record of Your Injuries and Symptoms
Take photographs of your injuries and keep a written record of your symptoms and medical treatment. These records can help support your case.
File a Claim With Help From a Griffin Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
A knowledgeable Griffin workers’ comp attorney can guide you through the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim. A lawyer will protect your rights and deal with the insurance company on your behalf.
What are the Most Common Workplace Accident Injuries?
Virtually any type of work-related accident or injury may entitle you to Georgia’s workers’ comp benefits. 10 Common injuries we see at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition include:
- Brain injuries
- Neck/back injuries
- Amputations
- Hearing loss
- Auto accident while traveling on business
- Construction accidents
- Fractures
- Occupational diseases
- Slip and Fall injuries
- Accidents while working with machinery or tools.
These injuries can change your life forever. They may not only cause physical pain but also disabilities. And medical bills can be astronomical and ongoing. Our Griffin workers’ compensation lawyers can make sure you recover the full benefits you are due for all your injuries.
Why Should I Hire a Griffin Workers’ Comp Lawyer?
If you’ve been hurt on the job, workers’ compensation benefits can help cover your medical bills and lost wages. But the process isn’t always simple. Paperwork, deadlines, and insurance company pushback can make it hard to get the help you need. A Griffin workers’ compensation lawyer will use their legal knowledge to protect your rights.
Help Filing Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
Filing for workers’ compensation in Georgia involves strict rules and timelines. If you make a mistake or miss a deadline, you could lose your benefits. A Griffin workers’ comp lawyer can make sure your claim is filed correctly, with all the necessary forms and medical documentation, so you don’t risk delays or denials.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether. A skilled workers’ comp lawyer will handle communication with the insurer. They know the tactics insurance companies use and how to push back to protect your rights, so you can focus on healing instead of arguing over benefits.
Maximizing Your Benefits
You may be entitled to more than just basic medical coverage. Depending on your injury, you could qualify for temporary disability, permanent disability, rehabilitation services, or even vocational retraining. A lawyer will review your case to make sure you’re receiving every benefit the law allows, not just what the insurance company offers.
Appealing a Denied Workers’ Comp Claim
If your workers’ comp claim is denied, that’s not the end of the road. An attorney can help you appeal the decision, gather stronger evidence, and represent you in hearings before the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation. Having a lawyer on your side greatly improves your chances of turning a denial into an approval.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Griffin Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
A significant concern for injured workers is the cost of hiring a Griffin workers’ compensation lawyer. Fortunately, the Griffin workers’ compensation attorneys at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition take on cases on a no-win-no-fee basis/contingency fee.
The contingency fee for workers’ comp claims in Georgia is capped at 25%. At the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition, we know that you might not be in a position to afford to pay our legal fees upfront. That’s precisely why we’ll take your case on a contingency fee basis.
Georgia Workers’ Compensation Benefits
If you get hurt or sick because of your job in Georgia, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits are designed to help cover your medical needs, replace lost wages, and support you and your family while you recover. Georgia’s workers’ comp system is there to provide both financial assistance and medical care for job-related injuries and illnesses.
Medical Care Coverage
Workers’ compensation pays for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your work injury. This can include doctor visits, hospital stays, surgery, prescription medications, physical therapy, and even mileage for trips to medical appointments. You’ll need to see an authorized doctor from your employer’s approved list, unless it’s an emergency. Approved treatments should be covered without you paying out of pocket.
Disability Benefits
If your injury keeps you from working or reduces your ability to earn, you may be entitled to disability benefits under workers’ comp:
- Temporary Total Disability Benefits (TTD): If you can’t work for more than seven days, you can receive two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to the state’s maximum limit, for as long as 400 weeks in most cases.
- Temporary Partial Disability Benefits (TPD): If you return to work but earn less because of your injury, you may get two-thirds of the difference between your old pay and your new pay, for up to 350 weeks.
- Permanent Partial Disability Benefits (PPD): If your injury causes lasting damage but you can still work, you may receive payments based on which body part was injured and the extent of the damage.
- Permanent Total Disability Benefits (PTD): If you suffer a severe, life-changing injury—like losing both arms or becoming paralyzed—you could qualify for disability payments for the rest of your life.
Job Retraining and Career Help
If you can’t go back to your old job because of your injury, you may be able to get vocational rehabilitation. This can include job training, career counseling, education, and job placement services to help you find work that matches your abilities. These services aren’t automatic but can be ordered in certain situations.
Benefits for Families After a Workplace Death
If a workplace injury or illness leads to death, the worker’s dependents may receive benefits. This can include weekly payments to a surviving spouse and minor children, plus help covering funeral costs.
What Should I Do if My Workers Compensation Claim is Denied?
If your employer or their insurance provider denies your claim for benefits, don’t panic. There are still options available to you. You can always appeal and request a hearing with the State Board of Workers Compensation. However, injured workers who have had their claims rejected have a limited time to protest the status of their claims. It is crucial that you seek expert legal assistance as soon as possible.
What Responsibility Does the Employee Have in Filing a Workers Comp Claim?
Employee Responsibilities
- Reporting Injuries and Illnesses: Employees are responsible for alerting their immediate supervisors or employers when they get hurt on the job so that they can complete and file the first report of injury. Besides, an employer should request a copy of this report and check it for accuracy.
- Resuming work after recovery: Once an employee has made a full recovery after an on-the-job injury and they are able to resume working, they are required to inform their employer and insurance carrier through a written notice.
- Maintaining error-free records: Employers should monitor and keep all necessary forms and documents from their employer, attorneys, authorized doctor(s), and workers’ compensation providers during the entire claims process.
- Cooperating with their insurance carrier: The insurance company may request an employee to provide or avail certain documents. They may also request the employee to get medical treatment from an independent doctor. Employees should cooperate and comply with any requests made by their insurance company.
- Being Honest: An employee should avoid providing false or misleading information. They are required to be honest throughout the whole claims process.
What Responsibility Does the Employer Have?
- Completing and filing the First Report of Injury: An employer needs to create and file the first report of injury document and forward the same to the claims administrator or workers’ compensation insurance company upon completion.
- Make provisions for temporary or permanent impairment: If your impairments prevent you from doing your job duties, your employer should make special provisions to accommodate your disability.
- Work with investigators: Your employer is required to work hand in hand with investigative parties and avail all documents at their request.
- Welcoming back recovered employees: It’s an employer’s duty to allow employees back to work after recuperating.
- Collaborating with the State’s Workers’ Compensation Board: Employers have a duty to help the State Workers’ Compensation Board avoid dishonest and false claims.
Can I be Fired For Claiming a Workers Comp Claim?
No!
Many workers in Griffin and throughout Georgia are initially afraid to file for the benefits they are entitled to because they are afraid it will cost them their jobs. Georgia has strict laws against this type of retaliation, and the Griffin workers’ comp attorneys at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition will make sure you are treated fairly and have a job to get back to after filing for workers’ compensation benefits and once you’ve recovered.
Is There a Time Limit to File a Workers Comp Claim in Griffin, Georgia?
Third-party personal injury claims in Georgia and workers’ compensation claims do share a common element. There are strict deadlines for filing your claim and reporting your injury:
- 30 days after the date of the injury to report the injury to your direct supervisor or employer
- 1 year after the date of the injury to lodge your workers’ compensation claim
If you fail to adhere to these time limits, you risk being barred from seeking benefits for your work-related injuries.
Can I Sue my Employer?
No. Under Georgia law, if an employer has workers’ comp coverage for workplace injuries and an employee files for these benefits after an injury, the general rule is that the employee cannot sue the employer.
Can an Independent Contractor File a Workers Comp Claim?
Georgia’s law does not require employers to provide independent contractors with workers’ compensation coverage. Therefore, as a general rule, if you are indeed an independent contractor, you cannot file a workers’ comp claim.
However, some employees are misclassified, and even though you may not be a regular w2-type worker, you may still be able to qualify for Georgia’s worker’s comp benefits.
What is My Griffin, GA Workers Compensation Claim Worth?
Typically, workers’ compensation benefits will pay for the following:
- All your medical bills, including hospital stays, surgeries, medication, etc. (with authorized treating physicians)
- Any rehab costs
- Any necessary travel expenses related to the treatment of your injury
- A percentage of your lost wages
- Your indemnity/lost wages benefits, which will be two-thirds of your average weekly wage
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits & an additional amount, the authorized treating doctor issues a disability rating in compliance with the American Medical Association Guidelines
Workers’ Compensation Resources for Griffin Employees
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Contact a Griffin Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
As soon as possible after you’ve suffered an injury or illness on the job, you should contact an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer. To use our legal services, call the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition at 470-518-5026.
