Are you a person who was injured at work? Are you in need of workers’ compensation benefits in Macon? Workers’ compensation is an insurance policy that offers benefits to employees who suffer injuries while working.
The system provides compensation for lost wages in addition to medical expenses, disability benefits, and death benefits. Employers and insurance companies may not always be willing to offer the benefits an injured worker requires.
You require a Macon workers’ compensation lawyer who is part of the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition Atlanta to help you in submitting your claim for benefits.
Our lawyers have years of experience in handling workers’ claims for compensation in Macon, Georgia. The clients we have represented have received millions of compensation benefits. We will handle all of the legal obligations.
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Is There a Limit on Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Georgia?
The worker’s compensation in Georgia is typically about two-thirds of the average weekly wage, however, this can vary based on the specific salary and the date of an accident.
There are, however, higher limits on the workers’ compensation payout. The maximum weekly amount for temporary and total disability is $675.
The maximum amount of $675 can be given to injured workers who earn more than $675 per week. The benefits aren’t tax-deductible.
What Are the Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Macon?
There are four kinds of disability benefits that may be awarded in Georgia under the worker’s compensation system. The kind of benefits is paid depends on the degree of the disability as well as the amount of time it is anticipated to last.
Temporary Total Disability Benefits for Georgia Workers’ Compensation
GA Code 34-9-261 provides that injured employees may be qualified for temporary total disability benefits when the doctor determines that the employee is ineligible to work or if they put the employee on light duty.
The benefits won’t start until there are seven days of waiting. An injured employee is legally entitled to get temporary total disability benefits when they are unable to work for seven consecutive days. Employees who have been out of work for longer than 21 days may be qualified for temporary total disability benefits.
The benefits are calculated based on the average weekly wage. An average of two-thirds of the weekly wage is utilized to determine the benefits. If a worker is injured after July 1, 2019, must be compensated $675.
Workers’ compensation benefits may be extended in Macon for up to 400 weeks following the accident. The benefits could be reduced if a licensed doctor issues a light-duty work permit to injured workers.
Temporary Partial Disability for Georgia Workers’ Compensation
The benefits are listed in GA Code 34-9-262. These benefits are offered to workers injured but not totally disabled. They’re granted partially disabled status in these situations and are able to work on a light-duty basis.
You are able to return to work, however, your earnings will be lower than prior to your accident. These benefits help to fill in the gap in wages that result due to an injury that you that is sustained during work.
The benefits are calculated as two-thirds of your weekly average salary. The benefits are restricted to $450 per week and are available for not more than 350 weeks following the accident.
The benefits usually are provided until your doctor has determined that you are fit to resume your regular tasks.
This is an example to aid you in understanding the concept more clearly. Let’s say you earned $500 per week prior to your accident. Then, you earn $300 per week.
The difference between the two figures is $200. Two-thirds of that is $133.33. This is the highest amount you can get in temporary disability benefits.
Permanent Partial Disability Benefits in Georgia Workers’ Compensation
GA Code 34-9-263 determines these benefits. An employee who is injured by an accident can be qualified for PPD benefits when their physician declares that they have reached the maximum medical improvement (or MMI) and has concluded that they qualify.
Maximum medical improvement occurs in the case when your injury or condition is not likely to improve.
Workers receiving PPD benefits aren’t qualified for TPD or TTD benefits. The calculations are basing the calculation on two-thirds of the weekly average salary. The maximum amount per week an employee can earn is $675.
This is the most well-known kind of workers’ compensation claim. The benefits are also paid as a lump sum, instead of weekly.
The formula is based on a physician’s impairment score. The rating is multiplied by the number of weeks are permitted for damaged body parts. For instance, 60 weeks is the longest period permitted for PPD benefits to the thumb. A thumb can be given PPD benefits for up to 225 weeks.
Permanent Total Disability Benefits for Georgia Workers’ Compensation
Georgia is not in a similar classification. Workers can still be qualified for workers’ compensation benefits in Macon in the event of an injury that qualifies as catastrophic.
If a person loses one or more of their hands, feet, or legs is likely to be qualified for benefits of total disability.
Legally, you may be eligible for this kind of compensation if you have a permanent loss in either or both of your eyes.
The calculations would be similar to the one used for permanent total disabilities, however, there is an additional difference. The benefits will last all of life and will not expire until 400 weeks.
How Are the Workers’ Compensation Benefits Calculated in Macon?
There are three methods to determine the weekly average salary in Georgia.
Actual Earnings for 13 Weeks
The most effective method to determine the average weekly salary for injured workers is to calculate the average wage for the preceding 13 weeks.
A good example: If an injured worker earned $26,000 over the 13 weeks prior to the accident, their average weekly pay would be $2000.
Earnings of Similar Employees
If the employee hasn’t been working for a significant amount of time during the preceding 13 weeks prior to the accident, earnings from an employee could be used in calculating the weekly average pay.
Contracted Rate of Employment
This technique is employed to calculate the average weekly wage of injured workers in the event that other methods do not work. This method uses the hourly wage of an employee and divides it by the number of hours they are required to work.
If a worker injured were paid a wage of $25 per hour and was required to work 40 hours a week the average weekly wage would be $1000.
It is essential to determine the average weekly wage since this is the basis for calculating benefits for workers.
Are Macon Workers’ Compensation Benefits Taxed?
Georgia laws as well as IRS codes don’t take into account the benefits of worker’s compensation as income. In some instances, however, it may be necessary to declare the amount of settlement.
Get the Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Macon You Deserve
The complicated laws governing worker’s compensation can be complicated. This is the reason why you require an experienced attorney with the Workers Compensation Lawyers’ Coalition Atlanta to represent you and help you get the benefits you are entitled to.
Our team has years of experience in helping injured workers in Macon to get the maximum amount of benefits from workers’ compensation for their injuries.
Contact us at 470-518-5026 to arrange for a no-cost consultation or to find out more about Macon’s workers’ comp lawyers.
