- September 24, 2020
If you get hurt at work, your employer should have to pay for your medical care. You should also receive replacement wages while you’re out of work. If you can’t work because of a work-related accident, it’s not fair that you should suffer more than you already are. You won’t be able to work, so it makes sense that you’d receive financial benefits. And you shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for your medical care.
The good news is that, as long as you meet certain criteria, you should be eligible for workers compensation benefits. Your Atlanta workers comp attorney will make sure that you get what you’re entitled to. The requirements you need to meet in order to qualify for benefits are as follows:
- Your accident must take place on the job
- You must report your accident or injury to your manager or Human Resources immediately
- You need to submit to a drug test as required by your employer
- You must be treated by a company-approved doctor
- You have to comply with your doctor’s treatment recommendation
- You cannot be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of your incident
If you meet these criteria, your claim will probably be approved. However, there are certain things you can do that will cause your benefits to be terminated. If this happens, you’re going to need to talk to an experienced workers comp lawyer in Atlanta right away.
You Do Need to See a Company Approved Doctor in Georgia
If you get hurt at work, you’re going to have to be treated by a company-approved doctor. In Georgia, certain doctors are approved to handle workers comp cases. Your employer will provide you with a list of at least six (6) doctors to choose from. As long as you use a doctor from this list, you should be okay. However, if you refuse to see a company-approved doctor, your claim may be denied. And, if you’re already receiving benefits, they may be terminated.
You Must Follow Your Doctor’s Recommended Treatment Plan
Your doctor’s goal is to make sure you heal to the point where you can return to work. In fact, that is the only reason you receive workers comp benefits in Atlanta. You will have your medical care covered. You’ll also receive weekly benefits to make up for the fact that you can’t work. Your doctor is going to see you periodically throughout your claim period. They’ll make certain treatment recommendations and you need to follow them. If you don’t, there is a good chance your benefits will be terminated.
Some of the reasons why you may choose not to follow your doctor’s recommendations are:
- You do not want to go to physical therapy
- You don’t think the treatment they propose will do any good
- You are in too much pain to do what they ask you to do
- You refuse to take any sort of medication or refuse to stop taking certain medications
- You simply do now show up for your doctor’s appointments
If you do any of these things, you’re going to make your Atlanta workers comp lawyer’s job a lot harder than it needs to be. They will have to somehow convince the insurance company that you had a good reason to refuse to comply with the doctor’s orders.
Or, they’ll need to show a second opinion from an independent doctor showing that the treatment isn’t necessary. Hiring a good workers comp lawyer in Atlanta will improve your chances of restoring your benefits.
Schedule Your Free Initial Consultation with a Seasoned Workers Comp Lawyer in Atlanta Right Away
Many people think that, just because their workers comp claim is initially approved, they don’t need a lawyer. That isn’t the case. There are times when your workers comp benefits could be terminated. If this happens, you’re going to need a skilled workers comp lawyer in Atlanta. They can appeal your claim and petition the insurance company to reinstate your benefits. If need be, they’ll also file the necessary paperwork with the courts to make this happen.
Call our office today and schedule your free initial consultation. Sit down with someone who specializes in workers compensation cases in Atlanta. They can make sure your claim is handled properly right from the start. And, if your benefits are terminated for any reason, they’ll help you file an appeal. The consultation is free and you don’t pay a dime until your case is resolved.
