Your job is your livelihood – it’s how you support your lifestyle and provide for your family. If you fall ill on the job or suffer a job-related injury, the recovery process can be complicated. You are out of work; you have bills that you must pay and new expenses because of your job-related injury. But how can you pay these bills when you’re out of work? Thankfully, adequate benefits are available for most workers in Wrightsville through workers’ compensation. If you sustain a job-related injury, you are entitled to benefits.
Unfortunately, just because you qualify to receive benefits doesn’t mean that you will. If you’ve been hurt in the workplace, you may need the help of a skilled and experienced Wrightsville workers’ compensation lawyer to fight for your rights and obtain payment and compensation for expenses associated with your injury.
Our experienced attorneys at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Coalition have experience serving the hardworking people of Wrightsville, GA, and surrounding locations. Our legal team provides compassionate and reliable support and advocacy for employees hurt in the workplace. We are committed to fighting for the benefits you deserve. Contact our office at 470-518-5026 today to schedule your free case evaluation.
Table of Contents
What Is Workers Compensation?
Workers’ compensation or workers’ comp or workmen’s compensation is an insurance program created by state and federal law that provides medical, income, rehabilitation, death, and other benefits to workers and their dependents due to illness, injury, and death resulting from a compensable job-related claim covered by the law.
Crucial Steps to Take After a Job-Related Accident
Were you injured on the job? Below is a shortlist of the 5 steps we would recommend you take right away and then contact a Wrightsville workers’ compensation lawyer with the Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Coalition to help you protect your rights and interests.
Report Your Accident and Injuries to Your Employer
In Georgia, you must report a job-related injury to your employer within thirty (30) days. However, it is imperative you report the accident and injury right away, so there are no questions as to what or when it happened.
Get Medical Treatment
The next thing you need to do is request your supervisor, employer’s representative, or employer that you get medical treatment right away. In Georgia, the employer is entitled to direct your medical care and treatment and should authorize you to go to an authorized treating physician or the neared medical facility with their consent. Remember, getting prompt medical treatment is key to ensuring your recovery and the success of your claim.
Document Your Injury
Take photos of your injuries and symptoms and keep a written record as well if possible. Remember, you will need proof of all your injuries to submit for your Wrightsville workers’ comp claim.
File Your Claim
File a workers’ compensation claim with the help of a Wrightsville workers’ compensation lawyer. Working with an experienced and dedicated workers’ compensation attorney from the get-go will ensure that your rights are protected.
Rest and Recover
After meeting with your treating authorized physician, follow their instructions, rest, and recover while our Wrightsville workers’ compensation attorneys take care of the legal aspects of your case. You deserve to be able to focus on your health rather than worry about how you will get workers’ comp benefits.
What Are The Most Common Job-Related Accident Injuries?
Workplace accidents and injuries can vary depending on the work environment but can happen to anyone. Some of the common job-related accident injuries we see when handling workers’ compensation cases in Wrightsville include:
- Burns
- Amputations
- Hearing loss
- Back and neck injuries
- Auto accident when traveling for business
- Accidents when using work tools or machines
- Slip and fall accidents
- Inhaling toxic fumes
- Cuts and lacerations
- Workplace violence
Why Should I Hire a Wrightsville Workers’ Comp Attorney?
Lawyers at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition in Wrightsville understand that you may need an experienced and compassionate legal advocate to handle your case during this period of difficulty and stress. You will undoubtedly have many hurdles to overcome and questions about your case.
How long do I have to report a workplace accident in Wrightsville? My claim was denied, what next? These are typical concerns when pursuing workers’ compensation benefits. Due to the many uncertainties and hurdles involved, you will benefit from having an experienced Wrightsville workers’ compensation lawyer by your side.
You may need to take on an aggressive approach to get the medical treatment you deserve. Our lawyers will make use of their knowledge and experience to pursue your work injury benefits.
How Much Will a Wrightsville Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Charge?
The Workers’ Compensation Statute in Georgia limits the amount a lawyer can charge for handling your workers’ compensation claim. The maximum fee a Wrightsville workers’ comp lawyer can charge is 25% of the income benefits you obtain, not to exceed 400 weeks of benefits.
At the Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Coalition, we handle all workers’ comp cases on a contingency basis and offer free initial consultations. We are skilled at handing Wrightsville workers compensation cases will work hard to ensure that you receive the benefits and compensation you deserve for your injury.
What Should I Do If My Workers’ Comp Claim for Benefits Is Denied?
If you filed a workers’ compensation claim in Wrightsville to receive benefits after a job-related injury but later find out that your claim was denied, you will be notified of the reason for the denial. However, that’s not the end of the road for your claim; you have the right to contest and appeal the denial of your claim.
The Wrightsville workers’ compensation lawyers at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Coalition will work tirelessly to ensure that your appeal runs seamlessly. We are here to make sure you receive the benefits you deserve. Call 470-518-5026 today if your claim was denied.
What Responsibilities Does the Employee Have When Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim?
Georgia’s Workers’ Compensation Law provides you coverage for job-related injuries even if you sustain the injury on your first day on the job. However, in addition to rights to benefits, injured workers have certain responsibilities. These responsibilities are described below:
- Workers should follow all the employer’s written safety rules and other reasonable workplace policies and procedures.
- You must notify your employer, supervisor, foreman, manager, or any other employer’s representative of an accident immediately or within 30 days of the accident date.
- You must seek and accept reasonable medical care and treatment and other medical services such as rehabilitation when ordered by the “Board,” or the State Board of Workers’ Compensation may suspend your benefits.
- If you relocate, you must notify your employers’ workers’ compensation insurance carrier of your new address. Injured workers must also notify the insurance company when they can return to work part-time or full-time and report their weekly wages because they may be eligible for income benefits.
- If your claim for benefits is denied and you believe you are entitled to income benefit in Wrightsville, GA, you have one year to file a claim after the date of the last authorized medical treatment and two years from the date of your last payment of weekly benefits.
- You must attempt to return to work as recommended by your authorized treating doctor or medical provider even if your new income will be lower than the job you had when you got hurt.
- You must submit to a drug test. Failure to take a drug test after a job-related injury may lead to presumptions. If the presumption is not overcome by other evidence, your claim for benefits could be denied.
- You have one year from the date the expense was incurred to submit any request for reimbursement to you for mileage/travel or other expenses related to your treatment.
What Responsibilities Does My Employer Have in Filing The Workers’ Compensation Claim?
When an employee is injured, the employer has certain responsibilities and duties under Georgia’s workers’ comp laws. These responsibilities include:
- Employers must respond immediately after a workplace injury to make sure a similar incident hurts no one else.
- Employers have a responsibility to follow through with communication and paperwork after a work-related injury. The employer should work with the employee to file a “First Report of Injury” with their insurance company.
- Employers should assist in providing medical treatment to the injured employee and must post a list of at least six authorized medical providers within the employee’s community of residence.
- Employers must provide light-duty or transitional work whenever appropriate.
- Employers must cooperate with all investigating parties, including the employee’s attorney, insurance adjusters, and the State Board of Workers’ Compensation.
Can I Be Fired for Filing for Workers’ Comp Benefits?
No. Your employer in Wrightsville or anywhere else in Georgia cannot fire you because you sought workers’ comp benefits. At the Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Coalition, we want to emphasize that laws exist that protect you against discrimination and losing your job as retaliation for filing for workers’ compensation benefits.
Are There Time Limits for Filing a Wrightsville Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Yes. There are strict timelines you must meet, or you will lose important rights. After correctly reporting your job-related injury, you have one year from the injury date to file a claim.
If you received remedial treatment from your employer, you have one year from the treatment date to file your workers’ comp claim.
If you obtained weekly income benefits following a job-related injury, you have two years from the date you received your last payment of weekly benefits to file your workers’ comp claim.
If you suffered an occupational illness, the time limit for filing your workers’ compensation claim is one year from the date you become aware of the illness. Note that no claim for a job-related illness may be filed after seven years from the last date the worker was exposed to the workplace hazard related to their illness.
Can I Sue My Employer?
No. Employees in Georgia give up their right to sue employers for work-related injuries or occupational diseases in exchange for filing a workers’ compensation claim. However, if the negligence of a third party other than an individual who is also an employee of the company for which your work contributed to or caused your injury, you have a right to sue that party.
Are Independent Contractors Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Georgia?
No. Independent contractors and subcontractors are not eligible for workers’ compensation benefits in Wrightsville or anywhere in Georgia. However, just because your employer has classified you as an independent contractor and doesn’t need to cover you under their workers’ comp coverage doesn’t make it true.
Our Wrightsville workers’ compensation attorneys can evaluate several factors to determine if you are an independent contractor or employee.
What Is My Wrightsville Worker’s Comp Claim Worth?
Workers’ compensation in Wrightsville will pay for:
- Medical treatment, including hospital stays, prescriptions, surgeries, rehabilitations, and even mileage expenses related to your injury
- Partial income/wage replacement, which will be 66% or two-thirds of your average weekly wage with a max cap of $675 per week
- PPD or permanent partial disability if assigned a disability rating by your authorized treating physician
Get a Free Legal Consultation
At the Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Coalition, we are dedicated to fighting for hardworking individuals who get hurt on the job. We will prepare and submit your claim, thoroughly calculate your disability benefits, and strive to achieve the full amount of benefits allowed. If a hearing becomes necessary, our Wrightsville workers’ comp lawyers will aggressively and thoroughly represent your interests. If you have fallen ill or have been hurt while working, speak with a lawyer who can fight to get you the benefits you deserve.
Call 470-518-5026 to get in touch with a qualified workers’ compensation attorney in Wrightsville who can fight tirelessly to build a solid workers’ compensation claim for you. We offer free initial consultations.