Accidents can happen anywhere, including the workplace. Workers’ compensation laws exist to protect injured workers and their employers from the sometimes-astronomical costs of accidents. Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to obtain the compensation you deserve. You may assume your employer’s insurance policy will cover your medical expenses and lost wages. However, that isn’t the case 100% of the time.
If you have suffered injuries from an accident at work, you are not alone. If your employer or their insurer isn’t cooperating, and they are making it difficult for you to collect your workers’ compensation benefits, know that you have rights and legal options. Ali Awad, the “CEO lawyer,” understands the best approach to seeking the compensation you need during these tough times in your life. Filing an injury claim is not something any of us want to go through, but when it happens, you want someone savvy and focused on the numbers on your side to help you process your claim and appeal any denials. When you work with an attorney, you have a better chance of collecting the benefits you deserve.
Our injury and accident attorneys are well-versed in Georgia workers’ compensation laws. If you have been injured on the job and are looking for legal guidance, we are prepared to help. Contact us online now or call (470) 323-8779 to schedule a free, no-obligation case review to discuss your rights and legal options.
Get Help From the CEO Lawyer in Georgia
If you are looking for an attorney well-versed in Georgia workers’ compensation law, look no further than Ali Awad. When you hire the CEO lawyer, we will fight on your behalf to determine what you are owed. We will then take the necessary steps to increase your chances of receiving the compensation you need to help you get your life back in order as quickly as possible.
When you first reach out to our law firm, we will evaluate what you’ve been through, determine the true cause of your accident, and evaluate your medical records to get an idea of how severely your injuries have impacted your day-to-day life.
Once we have a clear picture of what you’ve been through, we can walk you through your options and help you seek the workers’ compensation benefits you need to get back on your feet.
Workplace Accidents and Workers’ Compensation Law
To start gaining an expectation of what you may be entitled to in terms of workers’ compensation benefits, it’s essential to understand the factors surrounding your case. The two most relevant factors will most likely be the type of accident you were involved in and the applicable state laws that apply to your claim.
Common Workplace Accidents
- Slip and falls. A number of workplace factors can cause a slip and fall accident, like wet floors or icy surfaces in the wintertime. Uneven walking surfaces and poor lighting can also be contributing factors, as can obstructions, cluttered work areas, or failing structures. Depending on the environment and a person’s overall health, a fall could result in severe injuries like broken bones, head trauma, or spinal cord damage.
- Automotive accidents. Employees required to drive as part of their jobs may be exposed to negligent drivers, inclement weather, or faulty equipment. It can be challenging to hold an employer accountable for a car accident, so it is crucial to work with an attorney. Note that employees who or in car accidents during the commute phase of their workday are likely not covered by workers’ compensation benefits.
- Overexertion. Motions like pulling, lifting, holding, pushing, and carrying can cause overexertion-related injuries. Overexertion injuries can develop over time or happen after a single incident. To avoid overexertion injuries, workers should be appropriately trained and have access to the protective gear they need to do their jobs as safely as possible.
- Struck by/caught in-between objects. Workers who are hit by an object or get caught in between an object are likely to work in the construction industry. Improper use of machinery, inadequate safety measures, and other actions contribute to these types of accidents.
- Repetitive motion. Repetitive motion injuries are the result of cumulative trauma. They’re most often caused by the repetition of small tasks or activities, like working on an assembly line or using a mouse and keyboard all day. One common example is carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a type of nerve damage occurring in the wrist.
- Occupational illness and exposure. Some illnesses are exceedingly rare for everyday life but common in certain industries. Illnesses may be especially more likely to develop after exposure to certain workplace chemicals, including mesothelioma, welders’ lung, asthma, COPD, and certain types of cancers.
Workers’ Compensation Laws in Georgia
Workers’ compensation is an insurance program paid by your employer to manage medical expenses, rehabilitation, and income benefits in the event you are injured on the job. Here are some of the most important details to know about in Georgia:
- You are covered under workers’ compensation from the first day of your employment.
- Georgia law requires that any employer with three or more workers have workers’ compensation insurance.
- In the event you are in an accident while at work, you should report the incident to your employer immediately. Legally, you have 30 days to file an accident report before you miss the deadline and likely lose your eligibility for benefits.
- It is the responsibility of your employer to choose and identify Medical Care Providers injured employees can see.
- Weekly benefits should be paid out if you are unable to work for more than 7 Days. Your first check should be mailed to you within 21 days after the first day you missed work. In the event you miss more than 21 consecutive days, you can receive benefits for the first week you missed.
- Your weekly benefits will not total more than $675 per week.
- Claims are filed to the State Board of workers compensation. Once you file your claim, you should receive a decision within the first few weeks. In the event your claim is denied, you have the right to file an appeal.
- You have the legal right to represent yourself in court, but your employer will likely be represented at an appeal hearing by a lawyer. As such, you may benefit from retaining a lawyer to represent your claim with your full legal rights intact.
Why You’ll Benefit From Legal Representation
If you are uncertain whether you need a workers’ compensation attorney, consider the following questions:
- Has your employer or their insurance carrier denied your accident happened at work?
- Is your employer dragging their feet with your claim?
- Have you suffered a permanent disability that will prevent you from ever fully returning to work?
- Has your doctor recommended treatment the insurance company won’t pay for?
- Has the insurance company denied your claim?
- If you have been offered a settlement, does it not cover all of your lost wages and medical bills?
- Do you have a preexisting condition?
- Do you plan to file for Social Security Disability benefits?
- Has your employer retaliated against you?
- Could you have a third-party claim?
If you answered “yes” to one or more of those questions, it might be time to consider contacting an attorney.
If your claim has been denied, your lawyer can help you file an appeal that proves you are owed benefits for your accident. If you haven’t filed a claim yet, they can help you build a strong case and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to strive to get you the maximum compensation. For more complex workers’ compensation claims involving a third party, your attorney can help you decide if it is in your best interest to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
Seek Total Compensation With a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
The severity of your injuries and the impact they will have on your future will determine how long you can seek benefits from your employer. In Georgia, injuries are separated into three categories: permanent partial disability, temporary total disability, and temporary partial disability.
Permanent Partial Disability Benefits
In the event you sustain a permanent disability to a part of your body as a result of a work accident, you are entitled to a certain number of benefit weeks based on the state’s list of scheduled injuries:
- 20 weeks for the loss of a small toe
- 30 weeks for the loss of the big toe
- 25 weeks for the loss of a little finger
- 30 weeks for the loss of a ring finger
- 35 weeks for the loss of a middle finger
- 60 weeks for the loss of a thumb
- 75 weeks for the traumatic loss of hearing in one ear
- 135 weeks for the loss of a foot
- 150 weeks for the traumatic loss of hearing in both ears
- 150 weeks for the loss of vision of one eye
- 160 weeks for the loss of a hand
- 225 weeks for the loss of an arm or leg
- 300 weeks for disability to the body as a whole
Temporary Total Disability Benefits
Permanent partial disability is defined as the complete inability to work. In Georgia, workers’ compensation benefits are payable for a maximum of 400 weeks at the standard compensation rate of two-thirds of your typical weekly pay.
Temporary Partial Disability Benefits
Temporary partial disability benefits are available for employees who sustained a workplace injury but are eventually able to return to work in some capacity. These benefits are capped at $450 per week.
Schedule a Free Consultation With CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm
The sooner you get in touch with our law firm, the better your chances are of pursuing a successful workers’ compensation claim. We understand the challenges injured employees face after an accident, and we are here to help you recover as fully as possible.
Depending on your accident and the type of injuries you have sustained, you could be looking at significant life changes. It can be challenging to fully understand Georgia’s laws for injured employees, so to ensure you have the chance to make the best decision for your future and your family, it’s recommended that you seek guidance from an injury attorney.
If you’re ready to get started on your workers’ compensation claim, reach out to our experienced attorneys today. Complete our contact form or call (470) 323-8779 to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation today.
