A work injury can affect you physically, mentally, and financially. Workers’ compensation insurance in Georgia can provide monetary benefits if you are hurt while on the job. You may qualify for benefits that cover your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages after a workplace accident.
However, workers’ compensation isn’t that straightforward. Your employer and their insurance carrier may try to look for reasons to dispute your claim. For instance, they may argue that you didn’t suffer a compensable work injury or that you had a pre-existing condition. A knowledgeable Watkinsville workers’ compensation lawyer can help you every step of the way to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Our team at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition can help you with all the legal aspects of your case. Call our attorneys today at 470-518-5026 to discuss your workers’ compensation case. We can help you navigate the situation and get the compensation you are entitled to.
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What Is Workers Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is an insurance policy that helps injured workers after workplace accidents. It provides compensation in the form of medical care and financial aid to injured employees. Employees in Georgia are entitled to compensation benefits if they are hurt while on the job. Workers’ compensation insurance pays for their medical bills, lost wages, death benefits, and rehabilitation costs after work-related accidents.
It’s advisable to speak to a knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyer in Watkinsville after a workplace accident. The legal team at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition can help you understand your rights and responsibilities after a work-related injury.
What Should I Do if I’m Hurt on the Job?
If you sustain a work injury in Watkinsville, Georgia, there are specific steps that you should take to protect your rights. We advise you to follow these steps to boost your chances of receiving maximum compensation:
- Notify your employer within 30 days after your workplace injury
- Visit an approved doctor as soon as possible and stick to the doctor’s instructions
- Document all your symptoms as well as expenses related to your work injury
- Photograph any visible injuries before they heal and seem less severe
- Contact a reliable workers’ compensation law firm in Watkinsville to help you file your workers’ comp claim. This should be done within one year from the date of the accident.
- Rest and recover
What Are the Most Common Workplace Accident Injuries?
Accidents happen every day in the workplace. Some industries are more prone to workplace accidents than others. Still, anyone can get injured while at the workplace.
Workplace accidents aren’t limited to workers in warehouses or manufacturing plants. Executives sitting in boardrooms may also suffer workplace injuries. Here are some of the most common workplace accident injuries:
- Construction site accidents
- Back or neck injuries
- Burns from flames, chemicals, or explosions
- Slip and fall accidents
- Vision and hearing loss
- Bone fractures
- Joint injuries
- Amputations
- Injuries caused by workplace tools or machinery
- Injuries sustained while on official trips
Why Should I Hire a Watkinsville Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
It’s advisable to hire an experienced Watkinsville workers’ compensation lawyer to help you with your workers’ compensation case. A reputable attorney can help you understand your responsibilities and boost your chances of securing the best compensation benefits. At Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition, our competent legal team can help you:
- File your claim before any deadlines
- Gather and analyze relevant pieces of evidence
- Appeal a denied or devalued claim on your behalf
- Handle all negotiation talks with insurance adjusters
- Advise you on the best legal course after being fired
- Request a hearing before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC)
- If the insurance company isn’t processing your compensation benefits
- To sue a third party
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Watkinsville Worker’s Compensation Attorney?
Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition operates on a contingency fee basis. We don’t charge any fees during the claims process. This implies that you will only pay our legal fees once we win your case. It’s important to point out that the SWBC has capped the legal fees that firms can charge at 25% for all workers’ comp cases.
What Should I Do If My Workers Compensation Claim Is Denied?
If your Watkinsville workers’ compensation claim has been denied, you can file an appeal. It is your right to appeal the insurer’s decision if you believe you qualify for compensation benefits. Unfortunately, there are many times when insurance companies deny claims without conducting extensive investigations to find out what happened. They may also act in bad faith, hoping no appeals will be made.
Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition can help you throughout the appeals process. We will request a hearing before SWBC by filing a Notice of Claim form. Our lawyers will build an airtight case to convince this state agency that you deserve compensation. We are also prepared to represent you at the Georgia Supreme Court if need be.
What Responsibility Does the Employee Have in Filing a Workers Comp Claim?
The responsibilities of an employee in the workers’ compensation process include:
- Notify your employer about your injury as soon as possible
- Seeking medical care from an authorized medical provider
- Keep track of all expenses related to your work injury
- Cooperating with SBWC, your employer, the insurance company, and workplace rehabilitation providers
What Responsibility Does the Employer Have in the Workers Compensation Process?
Your employer’s responsibilities after you report and file a claim include:
- Complete the First Report of Injury (Form WC-1) after being notified of a workplace accident
- Provide emergency medical care if necessary
- Comply with any requests for additional information from their insurance carrier or the State Board of Workers’ Compensation
- Advise the employee regarding all company-approved doctors
- Investigate the workplace accident
Can I Be Fired for Filing a Workers Comp Claim?
It is your right to seek compensation benefits after a workplace injury. Your employer cannot fire you for filing a compensation claim. If you have been fired or threatened after filing a claim, reach out to a workers’ compensation lawyer near Watkinsville immediately for sound legal advice.
Is there a Time Limit to File a Workers’ Comp Claim in Watkinsville, Georgia?
You should always keep in mind the deadlines for workers’ compensation claims in Georgia. An experienced Watkinsville workers’ compensation lawyer can help you complete and file your claim on time. This ensures you don’t lose any compensation.
You have 30 days to report your workplace accident to your supervisor or employer. The statute of limitations for filing a claim with the SBWC is one year from the date of the accident. You also have one year from your last medical treatment to file a Watkinsville workers’ compensation claim.
Can I Sue My Employer?
No, you cannot sue your employer after a work injury. However, you can follow up with the insurance provider to get maximum compensation benefits for your injuries. You waive your right to sue your employer once you are covered by workers’ comp insurance in Watkinsville, GA.
Can an Independent Contractor File a Workers Comp Claim?
No, independent contractors aren’t allowed to file for compensation benefits in Georgia. These individuals are technically considered self-employed. They aren’t W2 employees. Other parties exempt from coverage include domestic servants, farm laborers, U.S. government agencies, and railroad carriers.
What Is My Watkinsville Workers Compensation Claim Worth?
After a workplace injury, you deserve maximum compensation to cover your medical bills and lost wages. After a workplace accident, factors like the severity of your injury and how long you were out of your job must be considered. Here’s what your workers’ compensation claim in Watkinsville may be worth:
Medical Benefits
Workers’ compensation insurance in Georgia should cover all medical expenses related to your injury. These expenses may include diagnostic procedures, surgery, prescription medications, and doctor appointment fees. Employers in Georgia typically provide company-approved medical doctors (panel of physicians) for injured employees to visit for medical care.
Mileage Reimbursement
Your employer’s insurance carrier must also pay for all necessary travel expenses related to your work injury. This may include ambulance rides, doctor visits, and trips to the pharmacy.
Vocational Rehabilitation
These benefits that include job placement and retraining come into play if you cannot perform your previous job functions or cannot return to your place of work.
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) Benefits
TPD benefits apply if you are able to get back to work to perform a modified version of your job or modified job duties. You may have to work for reduced hours and receive lower wages.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) Benefits
These benefits are awarded if you are unable to work. They last until you attain maximum medical improvement or up to 400 weeks. You can receive a maximum of $675 per week for TTD benefits.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Benefits
PPD involves the permanent loss of function of a part of your body. This may include your fingers, feet, or vision. Your authorized treating physician will assign a permanent impairment rating which will affect your PPD benefits.
Permanent Total Disability (PTD) Benefits
You are awarded these benefits once your doctor declares that your medical treatment is complete. PTD benefits are awarded for injuries and conditions such as blindness, paralysis, and traumatic brain injuries after workplace accidents.
Contact Us Now to Speak to a Watkinsville Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
The claims process after a work injury can be overwhelming. It’s easy to make mistakes and jeopardize your entire claim. Hiring a reputable Watkinsville workers’ compensation law firm is the best decision you can make during this time. This allows you to rest and recuperate.
Call the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition at 470-518-5026 to find out if you have a case. Our legal team is ready to offer you sound legal advice and the best strategies to secure maximum compensation benefits.
