Injuries at Work
Georgia has a complex Workers Compensation framework in place that provides for the payment of medical bills, wages and settlements for permanent injuries when an employee is injured in the workplace. The system provides that you can be compensated, even if the injury was due to your own carelessness, but in exchange for doing away with the requirement that the employee prove liability, there is no way to recover pain and suffering.
When am I Entitled to Workers Compensation Benefits?
Every company employee is protected by workers compensation if they are hurt while doing their job. Two of the common defenses raised by companies are that the injured person was an independent contractor and that the injury was outside the course and scope of employment. Just because your boss told you that you were an independent contractor, does not mean that you were and i you have a serious injury, you should call us to evaluate your status. The law says that if the boss tells you what to do, when to do it and how to do it, you are probably an employee and not an independent contractor.
How Much Will I get Paid When I am Out on Workers Compensation Benefits in Georgia?
Your company must pay 2/3rds of your average weekly wage with a maximum of $500.00 per week. The max rate does change ever few years, so be sure to check with a lawyer.
Can I Get Pain and Suffering for My Workers Compensation Injury?
No. Workers compensation is set up to pay wages and medical bills and to account for long term permanent injuries. It is very different from a car accident type of case.
How Much to Georgia Workers Compensation Lawyers Charge to Handle My Case?
Workers compensation lawyers do not charge you by the hour. By law, they charge a contingency fee, recovering no more than 25% of the amount they recover for you.
Can I Go the Emergency Room?
If you have an injury on the job in an emergency situation, your employee will always pay for the visit so do not be afraid to go to the emergency room.
Can My Job Tell Me What Doctor to See?
Usually, yes. Each employer has a list or "panel" of doctors that are chosen and approved by the employer. If you get stuck with a hyperconservative doctor, your workers compensation lawyer can file a motion with the Court (the Work Comp Board) to seek a change of physician.
Will I Get Paid for All of the Days of Work I Miss?
If you miss less than seven consecutive days of work, the employer does not have to pay your wages under the system.
Do I have to Take the Drug Test after and On the Job Injury?
If you want workers compensation benefits, yes. If you test positive for illegal drugs, they probably will not pay you benefits.
What if I get Injured on the Job in Georgia and then they Fire Me?
They still have to keep paying the workers compensation benefits if you are still injured.
How Long Do I Have to File My Workers Compensation Claim?
You must file your WC-14 within one year from the date of the accident or date of last medical care under comp in most situations. Be sure to call a lawyer to explain your specific facts as this is not legal advice.
In catastrophic Georgia injury and paralysis cases, you will need an experienced trial lawyer to hire the necessary experts to prosecute your claim. Do not settle for a mill firm where you never speak with the actual attorney. If you are not getting return phone calls and have no idea what is happening with your case, it is time to seek out new counsel. We will work with your personally to make sure that every possible benefit is available when you are injured at work in Georgia.
When am I Entitled to Workers Compensation Benefits?
Every company employee is protected by workers compensation if they are hurt while doing their job. Two of the common defenses raised by companies are that the injured person was an independent contractor and that the injury was outside the course and scope of employment. Just because your boss told you that you were an independent contractor, does not mean that you were and i you have a serious injury, you should call us to evaluate your status. The law says that if the boss tells you what to do, when to do it and how to do it, you are probably an employee and not an independent contractor.
How Much Will I get Paid When I am Out on Workers Compensation Benefits in Georgia?
Your company must pay 2/3rds of your average weekly wage with a maximum of $500.00 per week. The max rate does change ever few years, so be sure to check with a lawyer.
Can I Get Pain and Suffering for My Workers Compensation Injury?
No. Workers compensation is set up to pay wages and medical bills and to account for long term permanent injuries. It is very different from a car accident type of case.
How Much to Georgia Workers Compensation Lawyers Charge to Handle My Case?
Workers compensation lawyers do not charge you by the hour. By law, they charge a contingency fee, recovering no more than 25% of the amount they recover for you.
Can I Go the Emergency Room?
If you have an injury on the job in an emergency situation, your employee will always pay for the visit so do not be afraid to go to the emergency room.
Can My Job Tell Me What Doctor to See?
Usually, yes. Each employer has a list or "panel" of doctors that are chosen and approved by the employer. If you get stuck with a hyperconservative doctor, your workers compensation lawyer can file a motion with the Court (the Work Comp Board) to seek a change of physician.
Will I Get Paid for All of the Days of Work I Miss?
If you miss less than seven consecutive days of work, the employer does not have to pay your wages under the system.
Do I have to Take the Drug Test after and On the Job Injury?
If you want workers compensation benefits, yes. If you test positive for illegal drugs, they probably will not pay you benefits.
What if I get Injured on the Job in Georgia and then they Fire Me?
They still have to keep paying the workers compensation benefits if you are still injured.
How Long Do I Have to File My Workers Compensation Claim?
You must file your WC-14 within one year from the date of the accident or date of last medical care under comp in most situations. Be sure to call a lawyer to explain your specific facts as this is not legal advice.
In catastrophic Georgia injury and paralysis cases, you will need an experienced trial lawyer to hire the necessary experts to prosecute your claim. Do not settle for a mill firm where you never speak with the actual attorney. If you are not getting return phone calls and have no idea what is happening with your case, it is time to seek out new counsel. We will work with your personally to make sure that every possible benefit is available when you are injured at work in Georgia.