Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Villa Rica

There are multiple forms of workers’ compensation benefits in Villa Rica, Georgia. Understanding which of these benefit types you qualify for may seem confusing at first. We’ve compiled an in-depth guide to help you better understand the state maximums, the types of benefits available, and how their values are calculated.

The Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition in Villa Ricca has been serving injured employees in the area for many years. We have helped hundreds of employees like yourself get the compensation they are legally entitled to. If you find that your employer is not providing you with the correct amount of benefits or is disputing a certain type of benefits, then you should seek legal assistance as soon as possible.

Contact our Villa Rica worker’s compensation lawyers at 470-518-5026 to schedule a free case review and discuss your workers’ comp benefits.

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Georgia Workers’ Compensation Income Limits

An income limit represents the maximum amount of disability or indemnity benefits that you can receive on a weekly basis. The maximum varies according to the type of benefits you are receiving and the date of your injury. Generally, TTD and PPD benefits have the highest weekly maximum. TPD benefits are often paid in addition to your weekly income from work and thus have a slightly lower maximum.

Here are the maximums in Georgia if you were injured on or after the date of July 1 in 2019.

  • TTD Maximum Income – $675 per week
  • PPD Maximum Income – $675 per week
  • TPD Maximum Income – $450 per week

The maximum income is slightly lower for most periods of time in the past. For example, if you were injured between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2019, then your TTD and PPD maximum will be $575. Your weekly maximum TPD benefits will be capped at $383. Given the time frame for reporting and receiving benefits, we will assume that your injury did not occur any sooner than this.

 

Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Villa Rica, Georgia

There are three primary categories of workers’ compensation benefits in Georgia. In the case of a catastrophic injury, you may qualify for the fourth category. Each benefit type has its own maximum limit and duration. These values can determine how much the insurance provider is willing to settle for if you choose to take that route.

Temporary Total Disability Benefits in GA Workers’ Compensation (TTD)

To be eligible for TTD benefits, your doctor must deem you unfit to return to work because of your injury. This is generally reserved for very severe injuries such as the loss of a limb or partial paralysis. You may also be eligible if your doctor recommends light work, but your employer is unable to provide any work in this category.

As an employee, you have a responsibility to perform any level of work that your doctor permits. If your doctor states that you are able to return to work, then it is your legal obligation to attempt to return to work. It is possible that this recommendation can be removed if you return to work but are unable to complete your tasks because of the injury. But you must make an effort at the very least.

If you are completely unable to return to work, then you may continue to receive benefits for up to 400 weeks. That maximum duration is reduced significantly if you are eventually provided work authorization for light-duty work from your doctor. In that case, you will transition to TPD benefits when your employer is able to find you an acceptable position.

Temporary Partial Disability Benefits in GA Workers’ Compensation (TPD)

This is the second and more common disability category that includes all employees who can return to work with restrictions. The restrictions must be a direct cause of your injury and they must result in you earning less than you were before the injury. If you can perform the same job or receive a higher income, then you may be ineligible for TPD benefits.

Compensation from TPD benefits is meant to supplement your decreased income until you have fully healed or reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). The amount of the benefits is calculated at 2/3rds of the difference between your pre-injury weekly income and your post-injury weekly income. The maximum duration is decreased to 350 weeks and the maximum income is limited to $450 per week.

Concept of Workers' Compensation Benefits in Villa Rica

Permanent Partial Disability Benefits in GA Workers’ Compensation (PPD)

The third primary category of benefits is provided to employees who have received an MMI diagnosis from their physician. This means that their treatment will have no further benefit and any existing disability will most likely be permanent. As soon as you begin receiving PPD benefits you will no longer be eligible to receive TTD or TPD benefits.

The maximum weekly income for PPD benefits is $675 and the value is calculated as 2/3rds of your pre-injury income. The maximum duration varies according to the body part that is injured and the extent of an injury. Losing a large limb like a leg or arm will lead to a longer duration. The insurance provider can calculate a maximum payout using this information and then offer a settlement or you can receive the benefits on an ongoing basis.

Permanent Total Disability Benefits in GA Workers’ Compensation (PTD)

Georgia does not have an official classification for permanent total disability benefits. However, they do have a separate category for employees who suffer a catastrophic injury. An injury of this nature will leave the patient disabled for life. Some examples include severe paralysis, amputation of two limbs, and total blindness. These benefits are sometimes referred to as total disability benefits.

Total disability benefits are calculated the same as PPD benefits but without some of the duration limits that other benefit types share. There is no maximum duration for receiving compensation or for receiving medical benefits that relate to the injury.

How Are Georgia Workers’ Compensation Benefits Calculated?

Your pre-injury weekly wage is the most important factor when calculating workers’ compensation benefits. This value is determined by taking the average of your weekly income for the 13 weeks prior to your injury. The pay of an employee in the same position can be used if you did not work the same job for the last 13 weeks. Your compensation for PPD, TTD, and Total Disability will be equal to 2/3rds of this value.

Are Georgia Workers’ Compensation Benefits Taxed?

No. Workers’ compensation benefits, both disability and medical, are exempt from state tax laws. If you were to die because of a workplace injury, your dependents would continue to receive compensation for a pre-determined period. The benefits provided to your dependents would not be taxed either.

Contact Us to File for Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Villa Rica

The policy carrier may use dishonest tactics to calculate your pre-injury wage. You can use the information above to calculate exactly how much you should be receiving for yourself. If the numbers don’t match, then you can pursue legal assistance to fight for proper compensation. Call the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition in Villa Ricca, GA at 470-518-5026 for a free case evaluation.