Workplace accidents resulting in injuries and fatalities frequently happen in Georgia. Georgia law entitles you to receive medical and financial benefits when you suffer an occupational illness or sustain a work-related injury. Unfortunately, employers/insurance carriers will try to provide you with the absolute minimum benefits or even deny your genuine claim altogether. To ensure you receive fair workers’ compensation benefits and care for your illness or injury, it is crucial that you seek the legal assistance and guidance of an experienced Villa Rica workers’ compensation lawyer.
If you or a loved one in Villa Rica has been hurt on the job, denied workers’ comp benefits for a genuine claim, or have lost your job as a result of taking time off because of a work-related illness or injury, the workers’ compensation attorneys at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition might be able to help you receive maximum compensation for your lost wages and medical bills. We are dedicated to helping injured workers and their loved ones and want to make sure you receive the medical and financial benefits you need to recover and move forward with your life.
To schedule a free initial consultation to discuss all aspects of your workers’ compensation claim with a skilled and dedicated Villa Rica workers’ compensation attorney, please contact us at 470-518-5026 or fill out our online contact form.
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What Is Workers Compensation?
Workers’ compensation, also known as workmen’s compensation or workers’ comp, is a type of insurance provided by employers to cover a worker in case of injury or illness by paying the workers’ medical expenses, partial wage replacement while the injured worker is recovering or unable to work, and other costs.
Georgia workers’ comp benefits include:
- Medical benefits, including surgery, prescriptions, and mileage reimbursement
- Temporary total disability benefits
- Temporary partial disability benefits
- Permanent partial disability benefits
- Death benefits
What Should I Do If I’m Hurt on the Job?
If you’re hurt or fall ill on the job, here are some crucial steps to take to ensure you have a successful Villa Rica workers’ compensation case:
Tell Your Employer You Are Hurt
In Villa Rica and throughout Georgia, injured workers must report the injury to the direct supervisor, employer’s representative, or the employer. If possible, do it right away, but not later than 30 days from the date of the incident.
See a Doctor and Follow Their Instructions
Injured employees in Villa Rica are given the option of six different medical providers located near the employee’s community of residence. Get an authorized medical provider right away, tell them the truth, and follow their instructions.
Start and Keep a Written Record of Your Injury and Symptoms
Do not rely on your employer or your authorized medical provider to document your injuries and symptoms. Instead, if possible, start and keep your own record of everything from what caused your injury to your symptoms.
Take Photos of Your Injury, If Visible
As injuries appear, make sure you document them. You’ll want to get the full picture of what caused the accident and your injuries. These photos can be essential in documenting the severity of your work-related injuries months later after you’ve healed.
File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
File a workers’ compensation claim with the assistance of a workers’ compensation attorney. When you’ve been hurt on the job, you already have plenty to worry about. The additional legal experience and paperwork needed to file a successful Villa Rica workers’ comp claim only adds to the frustration.
The experienced and compassionate Villa Rica workers’ comp attorneys at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition help victims of workplace accidents obtain the legal assistance they deserve. We can file your workers’ comp claim within the set time limits and help you obtain the maximum compensation for a job-related illness or injury.
What Are the Most Common Workplace Accident Injuries?
Every day, Georgia workers are hurt in workplace accidents. Most of these accidents occur in transportation and manufacturing. But it doesn’t matter which industry you work in or what job you do; work-related risks are inevitable.
The Villa Rica workers compensation attorneys at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition have years of experience litigating cases involving work-related injuries from a diverse range of on-the-job accidents.
Common workplace injuries encountered by workers in Villa Rica – including healthcare employees and factory workers – and can result in a workers’ compensation case include the following:
- Back and neck injuries from lifting
- Burns
- Work automobile accident injuries
- Fractures
- Hearing Loss
- Severed limbs (Amputations)
- Broken bones
- Construction accidents
- Slip and fall
- Accidents while working with tools or machinery
Why Should I Hire a Villa Rica Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
Many people assume a workers’ compensation claim will be straightforward, so they don’t get the assistance they need. We see this all the time, and it’s such a shame because workers’ compensation cases can be quite complex.
If you’re hurt or fall ill at work and have questions regarding Georgia’s worker’s compensation claim process, the sooner you seek expert legal advice, the better you are. You’re much more likely to get the full benefits you deserve in a timely manner by getting a lawyer. The Villa Rica workers’ compensation attorneys at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition can assist you every step of the way with:
- Reporting your work-related injury
- Gathering and submitting the appropriate medical evidence to support your claim
- Filing your claim
- Handling settlement negotiations
- Protecting your rights after you return to work
- Appling a denied claim, and much more!
Your employer/their insurance carrier will be represented by a team of lawyers throughout the process. Shouldn’t you have an equal advantage? Call us at 470-518-5026 to schedule a free consultation with our Villa Rica workers’ compensation lawyer.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Villa Rica Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
The fees received by a lawyer in Villa Rica, GA, workers’ compensation cases are fixed by law. These fees cannot be charged upfront and cannot exceed 25% of the amount you recover as compensation. At the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition, our Villa Rica workers’ compensation lawyers charge no fee unless you collect benefits for your workers’ comp claim.
In any workers’ compensation case, we provide a free initial consultation. It will cost you nothing to discuss your Villa Rica claim with us.
What Should I Do If My Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied?
When your claim is denied, don’t give up. It only means that your employer’s workers’ comp insurance carrier believes your injuries are not compensable. However, you have a right to challenge that decision. If a dispute regarding compensability for your work-related injury occurs, you may seek help resolving the dispute from the “Board” – State Board of Workers’ Compensation.
Attempting to appeal a denied workers’ comp claim alone can be risky. An experienced workers’ comp lawyer can help you with the complexities of the process, including the timelines for Georgia’s workers’ comp appeals, and even determine if an appeal is the best option for your case.
What Responsibility Does the Employee Have in Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim?
As mandated by law, Georgia Code: § 34-9-81.1, the “Board” shall provide workers with a summary of their rights and responsibilities. These responsibilities include:
- Employees must follow the employer’s written safety rules and other reasonable workplace policies and procedures.
- You must report a work-related accident right away or within 30 days of the accident date to your supervisor, employer’s representative, foreman, or your employer.
- When hurt on the job, you must notify your employer/insurance company of your address when you relocate to a new place.
- Injured workers must attempt a job approved by their authorized treating medical provider even if the income is lower than the job they had when they got hurt or fell ill.
- You must submit a request for reimbursement of mileage expenses and other costs related to medical care to your employer’s insurance company within one year from the date the expense was incurred.
- You are required to submit to a drug test if requested following a work-related injury.
What Responsibility Does the Employer Have in the Workers’ Compensation Process?
When a tragic on-the-job accident occurs, employers have responsibilities and duties regarding all workers in Georgia. These include:
- Employers have a responsibility to guide workers’ treatment after a work-related injury by providing workers with a list of at least six authorized medical providers near the employee’s community of residence.
- Employers are required to report the accident/injury to their insurance carrier in a timely manner.
- Employers have a responsibility to immediately take action to eliminate the likelihood of another person being hurt in the same manner.
- Employers are required to be cooperative with all investigating parties, including the insurance carrier, the employee’s lawyer, and the State Board of Workers Compensation.
- Employers have a responsibility to guide a worker’s return to work after a work-related illness or injury.
Can I Be Fired for Reporting a Workplace Injury and Claiming Workers’ Comp Benefits?
No. It is illegal for employers in Villa Rica and throughout the state of Georgia to fire a worker for reporting a workplace injury and filing a claim for benefits. However, the State Board of Workers’ Compensation does not have the authority to resolve wrongful termination claims. A Villa Rica workers’ compensation attorney can help evaluate your options after a wrongful termination or discrimination in the workplace.
Is There a Time Limit to File a Workers Comp Claim in Villa Rica, GA?
Yes. Your right to recover workers’ compensation benefits in Villa Rica, GA, does not stay open forever. Typically, the time limit to file a workers’ comp claim in Villa Rica and throughout Georgia is one year from the date your injury occurred.
Can I Sue My Employer?
Usually, no. Injured workers in Georgia give up the right to sue their employers for work-related injuries in exchange for seeking medical and financial benefits through workers’ comp claims.
However, in some situations, if you were hurt at work and someone other than your employer caused or contributed to your illness or injury, you can pursue a third-party claim for additional compensation.
Can an Independent Contractor File a Workers Comp Claim?
No. Independent subcontractors and contractors are not eligible for worker’s compensation coverage in Villa Rica, GA. As in many other states, Georgia has a complicated process for determining whether you are a contractor versus an employee. A Villa Rica workers’ comp attorney can make sure you understand your position and avenues to pursue the compensation you deserve after a work-related injury.
What Is My Villa Rica Workers’ Compensation Claim Worth?
A worker who has suffered compensable injuries in Villa Rica, meaning that their authorized treating medical provider has determined the injury to be related to their work, may be entitled to benefits that pay for the following:
- Your medical treatment, including prescriptions, surgeries, hospital stays, and mileage expenses related to the treatment of your injury
- Any rehabilitation costs
- Partial wage replacement which will be 66% or two-thirds of your average weekly wage (with a cap of $675 per week)
- PPD or Permanent Partial Disability
Call Our Villa Rica Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
At the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition in Villa Rica, we understand how difficult it can be when a job-related injury or illness has resulted in the loss of income. We also know that employers/insurance carriers can be difficult when it comes to providing injured workers with the workers’ comp benefits they deserve. We are prepared to craft a holistic strategy that specifically addresses all your issues.
To schedule a free and confidential consultation regarding a work-related injury in Villa Rica or anywhere in Georgia, please call 470-518-5026 today.