There is no guarantee that your employer or their insurance carrier will cover your compensation benefits after a workplace injury. They may deny, devalue, or delay your benefits after you sustain an injury while on the job. Such actions by employers and insurance companies often lead to workers’ compensation disputes in Union City, Georgia.
If your employer or their insurance provider has denied your workers’ compensation claim, you have the right to challenge the decision. Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition can help you with the appeals process. Our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers in Union City will review why your employer denied your claim and advise you accordingly.
Contact us today to find out if you have a workers’ compensation case. We offer free case reviews for workers’ compensation disputes in Union City, GA. Get started now by calling 470-518-5026 or filling out our online form. Let us help you get the justice you deserve for your workplace injury or illness.
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Causes of Workers’ Compensation Disputes
Many employers often think they have the right to deny or limit compensation benefits for their employees. This is far from the truth and it often results in workers’ compensation disputes in Union City. Employees in Georgia have rights that employers should respect. They are protected by workers’ compensation insurance in the event of workplace accidents.
Here are some of the causes of Union City workers’ compensation disputes:
Employment Status
In Georgia, all businesses with three or more employees are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. This policy covers both part-time and full-time workers.
However, independent contractors and subcontractors aren’t entitled to workers’ compensation benefits in Union City, Georgia. If your employer has misclassified you as an independent contractor, you have the right to challenge the decision and file for compensation benefits. A knowledgeable Union City workers’ compensation lawyer can help you determine whether you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
Outside Scope of Employment
If you are injured while performing your job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, if your injuries are due to intentional misconduct, your employer may dispute your workers’ compensation. For instance, if you are hurt on the job while intoxicated, your employer may deny your workers’ comp claim in Union City.
Lack of Causation
There has to be a link between your injury and the work-related accident. You must prove that your injury was caused by a workplace accident. If your employer believes your injury isn’t related to your job, they may deny your claim.
Missed Deadline
In Georgia, you have 30 days to report your workplace accident to your employer or supervisor. You also have one year to file a workers’ comp claim. If you miss these deadlines, your employer may deny your claim.
Inadequate Information
To qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, your employer and their insurance company may require certain information. They may request medical records and witness statements after your workplace accident. To avoid workers’ compensation disputes in Union City, it’s advisable to comply with any requests by the insurance company for additional information.
However, make sure you speak to a skilled lawyer at Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition before handing over any documents to your employer’s insurance carrier.
What to do if Your Workers’ Comp Claim is Denied in Georgia?
If your workers’ comp claim has been denied, don’t give up. You may still have legal recourse after your employer has denied your claim in Georgia. Before making any decisions that may further jeopardize your case, reach out to a seasoned work injury lawyer in Union City, GA. At Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition, our attorneys are prepared to advise you if you have a case.
Once we conduct our investigations and determine that your employer and their insurance carrier unfairly denied your claim, our workers’ compensation law firm near Union City will request a hearing before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC). Remember, you have one year to file your workers’ compensation claim in Georgia.
Types of Workers’ Compensation Disputes
After your employer has denied your claim, you may raise these types of workers’ compensation disputes in Union City, GA:
Medical Disputes
After a work injury, your employer’s insurance carrier must cover all your medical bills. However, this isn’t always the case. Your employer and their insurance provider may deny, devalue, or delay compensation benefits that are meant to cover your medical bills after an injury. They may argue that you had a pre-existing condition or that your injuries were self-inflicted after a workplace accident.
Medical disputes may also arise if you ignore your doctor’s orders or do not seek treatment from an authorized medical facility.
Claim Disputes
Claim disputes in workers’ compensation claims may arise if your injuries are not work-related or if you fail to report your workplace injury on time. They may also arise if the average weekly wage computation is incorrect or if payments aren’t being paid or they are being delayed.
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney in Union City can help you deal with your compensation disputes. The lawyers at Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition are ready to go over all options in your case and help you resolve your workers’ compensation dispute.
Workers’ Compensation Dispute and Appeals Process in Georgia
If your claim has been denied in Georgia, you can appeal your employer’s or their insurer’s decision. Our legal team can guide you throughout the workers’ compensation appeals process in Union City, GA. Here is how this process works in the state of Georgia:
- File a WC-14 form
- Hold informal talks (mediation) between your employer, insurance adjusters, and the legal team at Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition
- A hearing of your workers’ comp case in a Fulton County courtroom
- File an appeal with the Appellate Division of the SBWC
- Move to the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court if you disagree with the SBWC’s decision
We Handle Workers Compensation Disputes All Over Union City, GA
If your claim has been denied, you can file a workers’ compensation dispute to receive the benefits you deserve after a work injury. This process can be tricky. You require the help of a trained workers’ compensation lawyer in Union City to help you out.
At Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition, our legal team can help you resolve such disputes while you focus on your recovery. Call us today at 470-518-5026 to book your appointment. Let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.