Suffering an on-the-job injury can inconvenience and bring devastation to an employee’s life. Aside from the pain and suffering, there will be countless doctor appointments and huge medical bills. All this can be overwhelming because you need time for resting and recovering.
If you have sustained a workplace injury, don’t suffer alone. Get in touch with a Morrow workers’ compensation lawyer today for expert legal representation.
Every state has specific workers’ compensation laws. The team at Workers Compensation Lawyers Coalition in Morrow is well versed in the intricate details of Georgia’s workers’ compensation law. Our workers’ compensation attorney can help you no matter the situation you are in.
We take cases on contingency with a free initial consultation, so don’t hesitate to call us at 470-518-5026 .
Table of Contents
What Is Workers Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a program that exists to help employees who have suffered on-the-job injuries deal with their situation by providing finances to pay for their medical costs and reimburse lost income among other benefits. Typically, workers’ compensation in the state of Georgia will pay for:
- Medical expenses
- Travel expenses to and from doctor visits
- Temporary total disability benefits
- Prescriptions
- Physical therapy and vocational rehabilitation
What Should I Do If I Sustain a Work-Related Injury?
Here is what you should do if you’re hurt at work in Morrow, Georgia.
- Report your injury to your employer: Tell your supervisor or employer you are hurt immediately or within 30 days of sustaining your workplace injury.
- Seek medical care from your assigned WC physician as soon as you can and follow their instructions to the letter.
- Document your injury and symptoms: Start and maintain a record detailing how your injury happened and the symptoms you experienced.
- Take photos of your injury, if visible: Photograph your injuries to serve as proof in the event your employer denies that you were hurt while on the clock.
- Contact a Morrow workers’ compensation attorney to help you file a workers’ compensation claim.
- Rest and recuperate: Let your attorney handle the rest of the claims process as you focus on recovering.
What Are The Most Common Work-Related Accidents & Injuries?
Some of the top on the job accidents and injuries in Georgia include:
- Walking into objects: Workers often get workplace-related injuries from walking into stationary objects.
- Inhaling toxic fumes. Employees who work with and around toxic fumes often get injuries or illnesses from inhaling toxic and poisonous fumes and gases.
- Cuts and lacerations: Workers may suffer painful cuts and lacerations from the implements they use at work, like paper trimmers and power saws.
- Being hit by falling objects: Employers often sustain injuries when they find themselves on the receiving end of falling objects.
Why Should I Hire a Morrow Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
Pursuing a workers’ compensation claim is not a walk in the park. While you are not required by law to have a workers’ compensation lawyer, we recommend getting one. Here’s why:
To Help You Handle Complex Legal Matters
Workers’ compensation cases can sometimes be complicated. For instance, if you discover that a third party caused your work-related injury, your attorney can help you pursue workers’ compensation benefits as well as a third-party lawsuit.
On top of that, there are stringent deadlines for filing workers’ compensation claims, and you may need to see your assigned WC doctor. If you fail to adhere to these rules, your employer may deny your claim.
To Help You Handle a Denied Claim
Workers’ compensation benefits don’t come easy. Employers and insurance companies will look for any possible reason to deny your claim even if you follow all the rules. An attorney can provide skilled legal representation to help you overcome a denied claim.
A lawyer from the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition in Morrow can help you avoid denial and file an appeal.
To Help You Recover Personal Injury Damages
If a third party was responsible for your on-the-job injury, you might pursue personal injury damages on top of workers’ compensation benefits. An attorney will determine if you qualify for third-party liability claim and help you pursue the same.
To Help With Negotiations
One of the biggest challenges of representing yourself in a workers’ compensation case is handling negotiations. A workers’ compensation lawyer understands compensation law and will know how much compensation you are entitled to.
They will know when the insurance company is bluffing. An attorney will ensure they get you every possible benefit that you qualify for under Georgia’s workers’ comp system.
To Provide You With Quality Representation in Court
When you don’t settle your workers’ compensation claim in court, you will have to settle it in court before a judge or jury. If you represent yourself, the process can be costly, time-consuming, and difficult to handle as you will have to chase down witnesses, file petitions and motions, dig up medical records.
For a person who should be recovering, this can be overwhelming. A competent and experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help you navigate the judicial system.
How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Morrow Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
It will not cost you anything to hire a Morrow workers’ compensation lawyer because we take cases on contingency. This means we take a percentage of the benefits we manage to recover for you as our lawyer fees. If we don’t manage to recover anything, then we don’t get paid.
What Should I Do If My Marrow, GA Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied?
If insurance denies your workers’ compensation claim, it doesn’t mean that you no longer qualify for benefits. You can dispute a denied claim by filing an appeal requesting an official hearing before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation in Georgia.
What Are The Employee’s Responsibilities When Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim?
During a workers’ compensation claims process, employees have the following responsibilities and duties:
- Report your job-related injury to your supervisor or manager right away. If you need emergency medical care, get treatment first, then report your injury afterward.
- Get reasonable medical care or rehabilitation if requested by Georgia’s Board of Workers’ Compensation.
- Inform your employer’s insurance company when you relocate.
- Inform your employer’s insurer when you can return to work on a part-time or full-time basis.
- Report your weekly earnings to your employer’s insurer as you may qualify for some income benefits.
- Employee’s return to work: Once you have recovered from a workplace injury and are ready to resume work, you are required to notify both your employer and the insurance company in writing.
- Return to work: Attempt a job that has gotten the approval of your authorized WC doctor even if it has lower pay than your initial job.
- Deceased worker: Notify your employer or insurance carrier upon change of address or remarriage.
- Drug Tests: Following an on-the-job injury, submit to a drug test if requested
- Be honest: Tell the truth and be open throughout the whole claims process. Avoid providing false or misleading statements.
What Responsibilities Do Employers Have in Georgia’s Workers’ Comp Process?
In the event of a worker suffers a work-related injury or illness, Georgia employers are required to:
- Provide employees who have been injured on the job with immediate emergency medical treatment.
- Provide Injured Employees With Claim Forms: Employers are required to provide injured employees with workers’ compensation claim forms before the end of 24 hours after the employee has reported their workplace injury or illness.
- Supply employees with material that has information about the employee’s rights under Georgia’s workers’ comp system as well as details about how to file a workers’ compensation claim and available benefits.
- File first report of injury: Fill in and submit the first report of injury document to Georgia’s workers’ compensation board.
- Send a workers’ compensation claim form and all supporting documents to the workers’ comp insurance provider.
- Comply with requests made by the worker’s compensation board or the insurance company.
- Employee’s Return to Work: Employers are responsible for helping the employee return to work by supporting the return-to-work process.
Can I Be Terminated For Claiming Workers’ Comp Benefits?
No. As per federal and Georgia whistleblower laws, your employer cannot fire, retaliate against, or discriminate against you for claiming workers’ compensation benefits.
Is There a Deadline to File a Workers’ Comp Claim in Morrow, GA?
Yes. Georgia has a one-year time limit from the accident date to file a workers’ compensation claim. If you received treatment for your workplace injuries, the deadline is one year from the time you got treatment from your authorized WC doctor, and two years after getting a workers’ compensation check.
Can I Sue My Employer?
No – You cannot take legal action against your employer for an on-the-job injury. However, you can recover financial benefits through the workers’ compensation claim or compensation through a third-party lawsuit.
Are Independent Contractors Eligible For Workers’ Comp Benefits?
Under Georgia law, independent contractors are not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. However, if the independent contractor does not control the manner, time, and means of employment, then he or she will be deemed an employee and will be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits in the event they suffer a job-related injury.
What Is My Morrow Workers’ Compensation Claim Worth?
The value of your Morrow workers’ comp entitlements will depend on many factors. Speak with an experienced Morrow workers’ comp lawyer to get an idea of how much your claim could be worth.
Your Morrow Workers’ comp claim will pay for:
- The expense for the medical treatment provided by your authorized treating physician(s).
- Expenses for vocational training and rehabilitation to help you acquire new skills
- A percentage of your lost wages for the time you were off work.
- Hospital stays and prescription drugs
- Travel expenses to and from doctor appointments
- Your wage loss replacement benefit: Workers’ compensation will pay two-thirds of what you averagely make in a week.
- PPD (Permanent Partial Disability): Workers’ compensation will pay an additional sum of money if your authorized treating doctor determines that your disability rating adheres to the American Medical Association Guidelines.
Contact our Morrow Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
As a Morrow employee, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. The Workers Compensation Lawyers Coalition in Morrow, Georgia can ensure that your rights are upheld. Our attorneys will go over your workers’ comp case details for free to determine how we can help you.
Call us at 470-518-5026 or use our online form to arrange your free case assessment today.