- April 6, 2022
Workers’ compensation plays a vital role in ensuring that the employees receive compensation for their injuries at the workplace. The main aim of it is to give the workers coverage for medical expenditure and wage replacement.
However, many businesses sign up for workers’ compensation without having proper knowledge of it. As a result, it leads to severe complications and problems when a worker files a claim.
Therefore, it is imperative to consult an Atlanta work injury lawyer who can help you understand the legal technicalities of the workers’ compensation.
So what is workers’ compensation? Who needs it? And what are the benefits of it? We will discuss all the key things there are to know about workers’ compensation in this article. Let’s start by getting a basic overview of what workers’ compensation entails.
Workers’ Compensation: What Does It Cover?
Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance coverage that gives certain benefits to employees who sustain injuries in the workplace or suffer an occupational illness. In case of such instances, the workers’ compensation will give them coverage for the wages that they lose while they’re not working and give compensation for their treatment.
Workers’ compensation will give coverage for the injuries no matter if it is the fault of the employees, co-workers, employer, any visitors, or clients. It will provide coverage for:
- Death from workplace injuries
- Diseases that are the result of the workplace environment, such as emphysema
- Repetitive movement injuries
- Liability insurance
- Loss of wages because of injury
- Permanent loss of senses or other impairment
- Rehabilitation
- Treatments
- Wounds or loss of limb
Though it might look like an expenditure, workers’ compensation insurance will ensure the business stays safe from any possible lawsuits if an employee sustains injuries or catches any disease because of the job environment. It safeguards the employer from bigger financial losses.
Who Must Have Workers’ Compensation Insurance?
Georgia requires most employers with three or more full-time, part-time or seasonal employees to have workers’ compensation insurance. There are some exceptions. Workers’ compensation insurance will save the business from heavy losses in case a single employee goes through any injuries or gets ill in the workplace. You can use the State Board of Workers’ Compensation website to find out if a Georgia business has workers’ compensation insurance.
Advantages of Getting Workers’ Compensation Coverage:
Workers’ compensation is beneficial for businesses as well as workers. It helps companies stay safe from any financial losses while ensuring that the worker gets the treatment and their lost wages.
Therefore, worker’s compensation is essential for businesses. Let’s go over some of the advantages businesses can get by taking the workers’ compensation insurance.
Ensures Business’s Sustainability:
Workers’ compensation can come in handy for small or medium enterprises if an employee gets injured or becomes ill in the workplace. The insurance will pay for the worker’s treatment expenditure and the lost wages.
The employer would have to bear these hefty expenses if the business did not have workers’ compensation coverage. Also, this insurance covers death benefits. As a result, it brings down the financial stress of expenses for a funeral in case the worker suffers a fatal injury on the job.
Moreover, the majority of the provinces demand that workers’ compensation coverage have an employer’s liability insurance. Including employer’s liability insurance can be beneficial for businesses.
It will give coverage for the legal expenses, settlements, etc., in case the worker files litigation against the business for their injuries.
Protects Workers:
Employees might have to take time off from work due to their injuries. It can have a significant impact on their health and finances, particularly if their injuries make it necessary for them to take a long time off from work.
Therefore, workers’ compensation ensures employees can look after their health and recover before coming back to work. The insurance gives them accessibility to a percentage of their income and bears the medical expenditure to recover from the injuries.
Moreover, the employees will receive coverage for their injuries regardless of anyone’s fault. Since it is no-fault insurance, the employees will get a percentage of their income and coverage for their medical expenses.
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Case Claim; Role of an Atlanta Work Injury Lawyer:
Filing the workers’ compensation claim in the right manner is imperative. It is why having an Atlanta work injury lawyer by your side can be helpful. Let’s understand the step-by-step process, so it is easy for you to take accurate decisions.
Step 1: Report Your Injuries Instantly:
First and foremost, you need to report the injuries as soon as possible since you only have a limited period. The responsibility of filing a workers’ compensation claim with the insurance company falls on the employer. However, employees must report the injury within 30 days.
You need to get all the documentation and paperwork ready. After filling out the documents, your employer will need to submit the following two things:
- Claim form along with other paperwork
- Documents that show reporting of the injuries to the state workers’ compensation board.
Step 2: Pursue the Right Treatment for Injuries:
Once you get all the documents sorted, the next thing you need to do is get medical treatment for their injuries. The health care provider will give you a medical report after the completion of the treatment plan. It’s the employer’s responsibility to send this report to the insurer.
Step 3: File the Claim:
The employer has to file the workers’ compensation claim with the insurance carrier. You need to gather all the relevant documents and file them and wait for the insurer’s response.
In case the insurance company denies your claim, the employer reserves the right to appeal against it. They can take the services of an attorney to deal with the insurance company. The attorney’s role is also vital when the claim gets approved since they can bargain to get a lump-sum settlement.
Step 4: Return to Work:
Once the employee is ready to join work, the employer will have to make relevant changes in the job roles and responsibilities to help you adapt to the workplace. Moreover, the employer will have to update the insurance company about the employee’s return to work.
In case the employees sustain injuries that result in permanent impairment, the workers’ compensation insurance will cover them for permanent disability benefits.
Get Complete Information Regarding Workers’ Compensation:
If you are injured a work, getting your deserved compensation can be complicated. You need an Atlanta personal injury lawyer to help you navigate the process.
Our Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyers are here to answer all your questions. Give us a call if you are facing any issues with your workers’ compensation case, and we will assist you in the right way.
