The last place you want to suffer a debilitating injury is in the workplace. There’s no worse feeling than suffering a life-changing ordeal at the place where you go every day to make a living for yourself and your family. However, such incidences can’t be helped given how workplace accidents are bound to occur at some point in the course of duty and can happen to anybody, regardless of the industry or job sector.
Other than the physical harm you are likely to suffer from the occupational illness or work injury in Woodstock, GA, you will also have to deal with medical treatment expenses from the time you get admitted and lost wages from the time spent off work. So what next? Workers’ comp insurance exists to help with compensable work injuries in Woodstock.
If you suffer an injury while fulfilling the duties you were hired to perform, you qualify to receive income benefits. However, things on the ground aren’t that straightforward. You should note that not every injury that has been suffered at work is covered by workers’ comp. For a specific work injury to be deemed compensable under Georgia law, it must first meet certain criteria.
If you are unsure whether your work injury merits compensation, our team at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition in Woodstock, GA can help. Concat us to find out if your injury is compensable and what benefits you can claim. Our expert team of workers’ comp attorneys has handled numerous cases of this kind, so you can trust us to offer the best possible legal counsel. To book a free consultation with a Woodstock workers’ compensation lawyer, contact us at 470-518-5026 today.
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What Are Compensable Work Injuries?
If you work in Woodstock, GA, and have gotten involved in an accident at work, you have legal grounds to seek out workers’ compensation benefits. All businesses with three or more employers are required to carry a workers’ comp insurance policy in Georgia. But you should keep in mind that not every occupational ailment or injury necessarily classifies as compensable. For your injury to be deemed as compensable, it must meet these conditions.
- Injuries must arise in the course of duty: For you to be eligible for compensation benefits, there must be a direct correlation between your job duties and the occupational ailment or work injury you suffered.
- Injuries must arise while on the clock: This means that the ailment or injury you have suffered must occur within the timespan of work and location of the workplace while the worker is doing their job.
What Are Common Compensable Work Injuries in Woodstock, GA?
Some examples of work injuries and diseases covered by workers’ compensation include:
Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
These types of injuries result from the workplace environment. Georgia law states that workers who suffer an injury or disease because of the job’s working condition are eligible to claim compensation benefits. When an employee is subjected to work conditions such as handling hazardous chemicals and fumes or exposure to loud noises for prolonged periods, they may get hurt or suffer severe medical conditions that may compromise the internal systems of the body.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
These injuries are more cumulative and develop gradually as you continue fulfilling your work duties. As time lapses, the repetitive actions degrade the ability of the employee to do their job properly. Carpal tunnel and back injury from repetitive heavy lifting are perfect examples.
Physical Injuries
These injuries result from physical trauma arising from an evident work mishap or accident. When the physical injury sustained is apparent and is directly related to a particular work activity, the injured staff has legal grounds to seek recompense for injuries suffered. These injuries may result from construction site accidents, slip and fall accidents, and any job-related incident that inflicts bodily harm like back injury or broken bone(s).
What Compensation Can You Get for Work Injuries in Georgia?
The whole purpose of the workers’ compensation program is not to reprimand anybody, but rather to ensure that the welfare of employees is safeguarded. As a worker in Woodstock, GA there are numerous compensation benefits you are entitled to if you get injured while at work. These benefits generally cater for medical costs and recoup your lost wages from time spent not working.
Here are the types of compensation you can recover in Woodstock, GA.
- Temporary Total Disability: If your work injury incapacitates you in such a manner you are physically incapable of working, you stand to receive TTD benefits to cover a percentage of lost wages.
- Temporary Partial Disability: These benefits will assist you to regain the difference in lost income should your injury force you to work fewer hours or fulfill light duties, which means less pay.
- Permanent Partial Disability: You’ll receive these benefits when your doctor establishes you’re not likely to get better even with continued treatment. Note that you can’t receive TTD or TPD benefits if you have qualified for PPD benefits.
- Medical benefits
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Mileage reimbursement
How Long Do You Have to File for Workers’ Comp in Woodstock, GA?
If you’ve gotten involved in an accident at the workplace, Georgia law stipulates that you have one year following the work injury date to file a workers’ comp claim or a year following the most recent payment for treatment by the employer’s insurer. Also, to file for compensation in Georgia, you will have to have reported the incident to your employer within 30 days following the work mishap otherwise your claim can be disqualified by your employer and/or their insurer.
Get Legal Counsel From Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorneys!
If you have sustained compensable work injuries in Woodstock, GA, you qualify to receive income benefits as recompense. We at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition in Woodstock, GA understand the workers’ comp laws in Georgia and can help you determine whether you’re eligible to pursue compensation benefits. If you’re uncertain about your injury claim, you can reach out to us at 470-518-5026 to schedule a complimentary case review.
