The rules for workers’ compensation benefits in Union City are quite different from other kinds of personal injury claims. If you have been injured while on the job or suffered an occupational illness in Union City, GA you might be interested to find out the types of benefits that you may be entitled to as well as how much you can expect from your claim.
Understanding how workers’ compensation claims work including what you need to do or not do during the process can be quite complicated. This is why it is crucial that you hire a skilled Union City workers’ compensation lawyer who will guide you through the process. Remember, your employer and their insurance company are not interested in seeing you secure the maximum compensation that you are entitled to and will try their best to have your claim denied or devalued.
Our attorneys will help put up a strong fight against such moves and strive to ensure that you receive the full benefits you deserve. We have years of experience handling these claims and we know how best to handle such claims as well as the parties involved to ensure the best outcome for you.
Call the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition today at 470-518-5026 or fill out our contact form to get started on your workers’ compensation claim.
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Georgia Workers’ Compensation Income Limits
Thanks to the rules in place regarding the maximum amount you can be paid in income benefits, you can get a rough estimate of how much you can expect if your claim is successful.
Normally, your workers’ compensation pay is calculated as two-thirds of your average weekly wage. However, this is subject to change depending on your amount of salary as well as when the injury happened.
For example, the maximum amount that can be paid out for temporary partial disability benefits is limited to $675 per week for injuries that happened on or after July 1, 2019, and they are payable only for a maximum of 400 weeks. More on these and other limits are below.
Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Union City, GA
There are four main types of disability benefits available in Georgia workers’ compensation. In the context of workers’ compensation, disability is an individual’s incapacity to work after suffering an injury while on the job. Here are the types of workers’ compensation benefits available in Georgia:
Temporary Total Disability Benefits (TTD)
If after your injuries you are determined by an approved doctor to be unable to work or are recommended for light-duty work and your work doesn’t have light-duty work, you can be eligible for temporary total disability benefits. However, you should note that these types of benefits only kick in if you stay out of work for at least 7 days. In the event that you stay out of work for 21 consecutive days, you will also qualify for payment for the initial 7 days.
If awarded, your payments will be calculated as two-thirds of your average weekly wage. However, there is an upper limit to the amount you can receive regardless of the two-thirds rule.
The maximum amount you can receive in TTD benefits is capped at $675 per week if your injury happened on or after July 1, 2019. The payments will be made for a maximum of 400 weeks from the date of the injury unless you are recommended for light-duty work in which case the payments will be limited to 52 consecutive weeks.
Temporary Partial Disability Benefits (TPD)
Temporary partial benefits are available to you if you are determined to be able to work but only in a light-duty capacity. These benefits are designed to compensate you for two-thirds the wage difference created by you working less or for fewer hours than you used to before your injuries.
These benefits are calculated as two-thirds of the wage difference, however, they are limited to a maximum of $450 per week for injuries that happened on or after July 1, 2019. TPD benefits can only be paid out for a maximum of 350 weeks from the date of the injury.
Permanent Partial Disability Benefits (PPD)
Permanent partial disability benefits are available if an approved doctor determines that you have achieved maximum medical improvement. This means that your injuries or condition aren’t likely to improve any further. Once you are determined to have achieved MMI. your doctor will assign you an impairment rating.
These benefits are calculated by multiplying your impairment rating by your average weekly wage. The maximum number of weeks you can expect these payments will depend on the affected body part. The state of Georgia has set a particular number of weeks PPD benefits can be paid out for different body parts. For instance, the maximum number of weeks allowed for the hand is 160 weeks and 60 weeks for the thumb.
Permanent Total Disability Benefits (PTD)
In the event that you suffer a qualifying catastrophic injury or experience the loss of or the loss of function of two or more major body parts, you can qualify for benefits for total disability paid for an unlimited number of weeks. Calculations for total disability benefits are basically the same as for temporary total disability benefits.
How Are Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Union City, GA Calculated?
Basically, workers’ compensation income benefits are calculated as two-thirds of your average weekly wage. Your average weekly wage is considered the most important variable when calculating benefits.
Generally, in the state of Georgia, your average weekly wage is determined as the average weekly wage for the past 13 consecutive weeks leading up to the date of the injury, i.e. take your total income for the past 13 weeks and divide it by 13.
In case you haven’t worked substantially for this period, the average weekly wage of another similar employee is used.
Are Georgia Workers’ Compensation Benefits Taxed?
If you are looking to file a Georgia workers’ compensation claim, you might be very interested to find out whether your benefits will be taxed. No, proceeds from successful workers’ compensation claims aren’t taxed in Georgia.
We Can Help You Secure the Maximum Benefits You Deserve
Dealing with a workers’ compensation claim in Union City, GA is no easy task. Many injured employees usually don’t know where to start, the rules to follow, and how to deal with resistance from employers and insurance companies. This means that they often end up not getting the compensation benefits they are entitled to.
To overcome the hurdles faced by claimants and avoid common mistakes committed during the process, you need to seek the assistance of an experienced attorney at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition. We will help you get the financial compensation owed to you. Call us today at 470-518-5026 to talk to one of our attorneys and learn more about your case.
