Employees in all types of workplaces will suffer injury due to accidents and conditions of the workplace. Even though most employers will do all they can to make the workplace as safe as possible, accidents can happen and can also result in injuries. But if you have been injured in the workplace there is financial help available that can help you make it through to recovery. If you want to get workers’ compensation, reporting a work-related injury in Woodstock is mandatory.
At the Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Coalition, we know that these accidents can happen by surprise and not everyone will know how to begin the process that will provide them with compensation for their injuries. That’s why you should call our Woodstock workers’ compensation lawyers for help getting workers’ comp benefits.
If you have any questions or would like assistance with filing a claim or resolving a worker’s compensation dispute in Woodstock, GA, call 470-518-5026 today and get help from a knowledgeable expert.
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How Long Do I Have to Report Work Injuries in Woodstock, Georgia?
You should know that there is a time frame in which you will have to make your injury report to your employer. In the State of Georgia, this time limit is 30 days from the time of the injury. This provides you enough time to have your injuries addressed by a medical professional and provides your employer with enough time to conduct an investigation into the matter.
Failure to make this report in the given time frame can result in your claim for compensation being made void. You should know that the 30-day time frame for making this report begins on the day the accident occurred that resulted in your injury. If you have suffered a physical condition caused by the nature of your work or the conditions of your workplace, such as COPD or muscle strains caused by repetitive motion, the 30-day time frame will begin on the day you were made aware of this condition through a professional medical diagnosis.
Who Should I Report My Workplace Injury to?
If you have been injured in the workplace you will need to have your injuries examined by an approved medical professional. This medical professional will provide you with a full description of your injuries along with a plan for your recovery. Your plan will include not only your treatment, but a certain amount of time that you should be excused from your regular work responsibilities.
A report will need to be made to the employer that includes the doctor’s description of the injury and recommended time excused from work. There is no rule that says this report should be made in writing, but in our experience a written report is the best option as it provides proof that the report was made within the time frame.
Employer Responsibilities After a Workplace Injury
After your employer has received your notification of a workplace injury, they are required to take action to begin the claims process.
Record and Report the Injury
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that all employers keep a record of the accidents and injuries that occur in their workplace. If an employee is injured, they must make a record of the injury and accident. If an injured employee is killed or hospitalized, they must make a report to OSHA within 8 hours. If the injured employee receives an amputation or loses the functionality of their eye, the report must be made within 24 hours.
Report the Injury to the Insurance Carrier and State Board of Worker’s Compensation
Upon receiving the report of injury from their employee, the employer must make a report of the incident to the SWBC by filing the WC-1 form (Employer’s First Report of Injury or Occupational Disease). They must also notify their insurance carrier and begin the claims process. These actions must take place within 21 days of receiving the report or the employer may incur penalties.
Maintain Contact With the Injured Employee
The employer must also maintain contact with the employee who has been injured and keep them informed of the claims process at regular intervals.
Employee’s Responsibilities After a Workplace Accident
If you suffer a work-related injury in Woodstock, Georgia, you need to fulfill certain responsibilities so you can get workers’ comp.
Get Treatment From an Approved Medical Professional
It is important that the injuries or physical conditions of the employee are examined and addressed by an approved medical professional. The employer is responsible to make a panel of approved physicians operating in the area available to their employees.
File Your Claim With SWBC in Georgia
The employee must also file their report of the workplace injury with the SWBC by filling out the WC-14 form. This can be found on the SBWC website or petitioned from your employer or HR department. You will need to submit one form to the SBWC, another to your employer and it is a good idea to keep one for your own personal records.
Make Sure Your Employer’s Insurance Carrier Has Been Notified
While it is the responsibility of your employer to notify their insurance carrier of the claims process it is important that you call and make sure the process has begun. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that everything is going according to plan. Talk to your employer and ask them to provide you with the contact information for their insurance carrier as well as the insurance adjuster assigned to your case. This information is also available from your HR department. Be sure you call the insurance provider and make sure that your claims process has begun.
Call Us Today When Reporting a Work-Related Injury in Woodstock
At the Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Coalition, we fully understand that an injured employee is not always able to deal with the many details involved with pursuing the worker’s compensation process. For this reason, we invite you to call our reputable lawyers and get help when navigating the intricacies and complexities of worker’s compensation.
The Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Coalition has handled thousands of cases like this before and recovered thousands of dollars in compensation for our valued clients. Call 470-518-5026 today and get in contact with a knowledgeable expert who can help you with everything from reporting a work-related injury in Woodstock to resolving workers’ compensation disputes.
