If you get sick or injured because of the hazards in your place of work, you can seek compensation by filing a workers’ compensation claim. However, your employer can dispute your workers’ compensation claim. Therefore, you may end up not getting the compensation you rightfully deserve. However, our team has the solution for McDonough workers’ compensation disputes.
If you were legitimately injured in your place of work, you deserve to receive compensation for your injuries and lost wages. It is essential to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer. This is because lawyers are knowledgeable and have more experience. You can trust your workers’ comp attorney to protect your rights.
If you are searching for the best worker’ compensation attorneys in McDonough, GA, call the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition today. Our team of professional workers’ compensation lawyers understands the workers’ compensation laws in Georgia. We will make sure you get full compensation for your injuries and damages.
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Causes of McDonough Workers’ Compensation Disputes
There are so many causes of workers’ compensation disputes. Employers and their insurance companies dispute the workers’ compensation claims because of so many reasons. They mostly dispute these claims since they lose money paying these claims.
Employment Status
The law requires employers to take workers’ comp insurance for their full-time employees. Therefore, the employer will fight to prove the injured employee was not a full-time employee. The employer can say the injured person was an independent contractor. You will need to prove your employment status to get the compensation.
Outside Scope of Employment
The injured employee needs to prove that they got injured while performing work-related duties. If the injured employee cannot prove it, the employer can dispute their claim. If the employee gets injured out of the workplace, the employer may not be eligible to pay workers’ compensation claims.
Lack of Causation
If the injured employee cannot prove that the workplace accident caused their injuries, the employee in question can lose their compensation. It is crucial to visit a medical doctor after your injuries. The doctor can determine the cause of the injuries. If you fail to prove the cause of your injuries, you may lose your compensation.
Missed Deadline
In the state of Georgia, you have 30 days to report an accident in the workplace to your employer. If you get injured in your place of work, report the workplace accident immediately. If you do not report the accident within 30 days, you may lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries.
Inadequate Information
It is not easy to understand the complex workers’ compensation laws in the state of Georgia. So, the injured employee can fail to submit some important documents when filing a workers’ compensation claim. If some documents are missing, the employer can deny the injured employee workers’ comp benefits.
These are some of the causes of workers’ compensation disputes. It is easy for employers to deny workers’ compensation. Especially if the injured employee does not have strong legal representation. You can hire an experienced and highly skilled lawyer to prove the real cause of your workplace injuries.
What to Do if Your Workers’ Comp Claim Is Denied in Georgia?
Once you get a notice that your employer or insurance company has denied your workers’ compensation claim in McDonough, GA, you can ask for the real reason why your claim was denied. After you know the reasons, you can file an appeal.
How do you file an appeal? Request a hearing before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation. It is better to hire a lawyer to help you request the hearing. You need to have a strong case to make the administrative judge believe you should get workers’ comp benefits because of your workplace injuries.
Once you submit the WC-14 form, the hearing will usually place within 60 days.
It is beneficial to contact a trustworthy workers’ compensation attorney to assist you to appeal your denied claim. It can take you days or even weeks to understand the law. Unfortunately, you do not have days to waste. So, contact a lawyer immediately after your workplace accident. Your lawyer will guide you through the entire case.
Types of Workers’ Comp Disputes
There are two main types of workers’ compensation disputes we see in McDonough, Georgia.
Medical Disputes
If you visit a medical doctor and your health condition gets worse, then medical disputes can arise. Your employer owes you duty care, so your employer needs to find you a credible doctor to treat your injuries. Also, your lawyer will ensure you receive proper medical care.
Claim Disputes
It is hard to get the full compensation from your employer or even their insurer Therefore, your lawyer and your employer can fail to agree on a fair settlement. The lawyers of your employer and your lawyer will not use the same methods to determine the value of your settlement amount. This leads to claim disputes.
Workers’ Compensation Dispute and Appeals Process in Georgia
It is not easy to seek workers’ compensation benefits in Georgia. Employers do not love paying these claims. Why? Because they lose money paying them. If you delay or make mistakes, you might never receive the workers’ comp benefits you rightfully deserve.
Therefore, your lawyer will use Form WC-14 to file a notice for your workers’ comp claim. Then, the lawyer meets the lawyers of the other party to try to solve the claim dispute before the main hearing. This is the mediation process.
If your lawyer cannot resolve the workers’ comp dispute through mediation, then the lawyer prepares for a hearing. Your lawyer will gather evidence and use legal arguments to seek a fair settlement. If the judge’s final decision does not meet your expectations, you can request a hearing before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation.
Get Help With Your Workers’ Compensation Dispute Today
If you become sick or get injured due to the hazards in your place of work, you deserve compensation for your workplace injuries. It takes time to read and understand the workers’ compensation laws in Georgia. If your employer disputes your workers’ comp claim, you are more likely to lose the case.
It is better to hire experienced workers’ compensation lawyers to file your workers’ compensation claim. Your lawyer will assist your build a strong case. Additionally, your employer is less likely to dispute your claim if you have the right attorney by your side.
At the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition, we have reputable and experienced workers’ compensation lawyers in McDonough, GA. We are ready to assist you to file your workers’ compensation case. If your employer disputes your claim, we are not afraid to appeal the denied claim. Contact us today for a free consultation.
