Reporting a Work-Related Injury in Peachtree Corners

Many people assume that workplace injuries only happen in mining operations and lumberyards. The truth is that a workplace injury can happen anytime and anywhere, even when the employer does all they can to run a safe work environment. The important thing to remember is that there is compensation available for those who have suffered a workplace accident.

Of course, there are details, time constraints, and other complexities involved with ensuring you obtain your rightful worker’s compensation in the event of an injury. At the Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Coalition, we are the experts in handling workplace injury claims. Our Peachtree Corners workers’ compensation lawyers can help you too.

If you would like further assistance in reporting a work injury in Peachtree Corners or simply need more information on the process, call 470-518-5026 today!

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Is There a Time Limit for Reporting a Work Injury in Peachtree Corners, Georgia?

There are time constraints when reporting a workplace injury in Peachtree Corners, GA. It is essential that workplace injuries are reported and claims made in a timely fashion or your right to compensation could be threatened.

It is essential that you report your injury to your employer within 30 days. This will allow you enough time to have your injuries examined and treated by a medical professional and allows your boss plenty of time to perform an investigation into the incident.

If you fail to make the report within 30 days, you could void your claim for worker’s compensation. The countdown on your 30-day time frame will begin the day you are injured. If you have suffered a condition caused by repetitive motion or hazards of your work environment, the 30-day time frame will begin from the date you received a medical diagnosis of your condition.

Who Should I Report My Workplace Injury To?

Peachtree Corners Reporting Work Injury Infographic

 

After you have been injured in a workplace accident, it is important that you have your injuries examined and professionally treated. This must be done by one of the approved medical professionals listed by your employer.

If you haven’t found the panel of approved medical practitioners you can request it from your employer or from the HR department in your place of employment. This doctor will provide you with a proper examination, description of your injuries, and a plan for recovery which will include medication, therapy, and time excused from work.

You will need to make a report to your employer as soon as you can. This report can legally be a verbal report, but we highly recommend that you make this report in writing. A written report, such as an email, will provide proof that the report was made and bolster the strength of your claim.

Some of the more important details to include in your report are:

  • Time and place where you sustained the injury
  • How you became aware you were injured
  • Parts of the body that were affected
  • Coworkers, supervisors, or anyone else that was present when the injury was sustained.

Employer Responsibilities After a Workplace Injury

Once your employer has received your injury report, they will be required to take a few steps to begin the process to recover your worker’s compensation.

Record and Report the Injury

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides guidelines for employers whose employees have suffered injuries. The guidelines require that your employer make a report of the injury in their accident records. In the case of injuries that resulted in the death or hospitalization of an employee, the report must be made within 8 hours of the incident. If the accident resulted in the loss of an eye or limb, the report must be made within 24 hours.

Concept of reporting a work injury in Peachtree Corners, Georgia

Report the Injury to the Insurance Carrier

Once you have submitted your report of workplace injury, your employer will begin the claims process with their insurance provider. They will also be required to fill out and submit the WC-1 form also known as the “Employer’s First Report of Injury or Occupational Disease” within 21-days of receiving the report of a workplace accident.

This report must be made for all injuries that require a minimum of seven days of recovery in which the employee is excused from work on doctor’s recommendations. Be sure to ask your employer to provide you with a copy of this report.

Employee’s Responsibilities After a Workplace Accident

Injured workers also have important responsibilities in the workers’ comp process. These include the following.

Obtain Medical Treatment From an Approved Medical Practitioner

Upon suffering an injury in the workplace, it is important to have your injuries properly examined and treated. But the laws of the state of Georgia require that this is done by an approved worker’s compensation doctor. Failure to have your injuries or conditions examined by an approved doctor could void your claim for compensation. After the approved doctor has examined your injuries, you will be given a plan for recovery that will include how much time you will be excused from your work.

File Your Claim with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation in Georgia

You will also need to file your claim for compensation with the State Board of Worker’s Compensation, the SBWC. Begin by obtaining the WC-14 form from the SBWC website. You can also get this form from the HR department or your employer. You will need to submit one copy of this form to the SBWC and another copy to your employer. We recommend you fill out and keep a copy for your own records as well.

Make Sure the Insurer Is Informed

While your employer is responsible for making your claims with their insurance provider, never assume things are moving along without checking on the progress of your claim. Make sure you contact the insurance carrier for your employer to find out if your claim has been made. You can get the contact information for the claims adjuster handling your case from your employer.

Contact Our Peachtree Corners Workers’ Comp Lawyers

As you can see there are many details to address after being injured in the workplace. At the Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Coalition, we understand that employees must be focusing on their recovery during this time and offer our services in handling the minutiae of the claims process.

If you would like help with reporting a work injury in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, call 470-518-5026 and arrange a free consultation with our experienced professionals. We will take a look at the specifics of your case and provide professional advice on how to proceed.