- February 2, 2021
If you were injured at work, you have the right to file for a workers’ compensation claim with your employer. These compensation benefits will cover your medical expenses and a part of your average weekly wages until you’re ready to go back to work.
Many people aren’t sure how long this will last. It mainly depends on your injuries and how severe they are.
If you’re worried about getting the full benefits you deserve, or you have pushback from your employer or their insurance company, it’s best to seek help from a Georgia workers’ compensation lawyer.
Workers’ Compensation Weekly Wages
If your injuries aren’t letting you go back to work over seven days, you can get 2/3 of your weekly wages. In Georgia, this amount is capped at $575 per week. You may be able to get wage benefits for up to 400 weeks (this will depend mainly on your work injury).
Some workers can get back to work at a reduced capacity. If your injury prevents you to work at the same level as before, you may still be able to get workers’ compensation benefits. In this case, these benefits may be provided for up to 350 weeks.
These factors will depend on how long you can receive workers’ compensation in Georgia:
- Your injury and how severe it is
- How the injury impacts your ability to work
- If you’re disabled from your injury
Permanently disabled people may receive weekly wages for the rest of their lives.
Medical Benefits Through Workers’ Compensation
The workers’ compensation benefits will cover your medical expenses for your work-related injuries. You can get these benefits for as long as you’re getting your treatment, or at least you reach a maximum medical improvement (MMI). This is a point when your condition can’t be improved through further medical intervention.
How long will you receive the benefits? It will depend on how long it takes for you to recover entirely. Workers’ compensation insurance companies may try to lower the amount for your medical benefits. This is
Visit the Right Doctor
According to Georgia Code § 34-9-201, the employers who provide workers’ compensation must provide at least six physicians for the workers to choose from.
Be sure to see an authorized doctor for your treatment. Otherwise, you risk not getting your medical expenses covered by your workers’ compensation policy. If you feel that your doctor is biased and that they aren’t treating your injuries seriously, you should talk to your workers’ compensation attorney.
How Long Can You Stay on Workers Comp and Will It Affect Your Job?
Many workers fear that if they collect workers’ compensation benefits for a long time may lead to their firing.
Georgia is an employment “at-will” state. This means that the employers can fire you at any time, for any reason, or no reason at all. This surely can be scary if you’re an injured employee, since you may worry that your employer is firing you so they can avoid paying workers’ compensation claims. But, employers aren’t legally allowed to fire you as revenge for the filing of a workers’ compensation claim.
Although an employee can be fired while on workers’ compensation, the employer can’t be simply fired because they filed the claim or are getting workers’ compensation.
You can continue getting your workers’ compensation benefits even if you’re fired while getting them. In most cases, this will depend on your doctor; they will tell when you’ll be able to go back to work.
What to Do After an Injury
First of all, report the accident to your supervisor. You won’t be entitled to any benefits unless you do this.
Next, seek medical help as soon as possible (go to a physician whose name is given to you by your employer).
Your doctor will prescribe treatments, medicine, and anything else that’s necessary for you to heal; be sure to follow their recommendation.
You have one year from the date of your injury to file for a workers’ compensation claim. If you can’t work for more than seven days, you’re entitled to receive benefits. The first check will be mailed to you within twenty-one days from the first day you missed work.
If your employer tells you that there aren’t available workers’ compensation, it’s time to call your attorney. Your attorney will review your case and will help you to file the claim. If it’s necessary they will represent you in court. Consult with our team at Workers’ Compensation Lawyers.
