Take the Stress Out of Filing a Successful Workers’ Comp Claim in Milledgeville, Georgia
Every job comes with risks, but for many jobs, those risks can be physical. When you are injured on the job, you want to know that your employers will provide compensation while you get back on your feet. This is what many employees expect when they file a workers’ compensation claim.
Workers’ compensation is designed to help anyone injured on the job to receive compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation bills, and lost income. In Georgia, workers’ compensation insurance is required for any employer with three or more employees.
Filing a workers’ compensation claim in Milledgeville should not be painful. You report the injury and your expenses, get approved, and receive your compensation — right? Unfortunately, employers and insurance companies sometimes make this difficult by unjustly denying claims.
How Does Workers’ Comp Work?
Most work-provided insurance that you receive is paid by taking money out of your paycheck. Workers’ compensation is different because employers are required to pay workers’ comp premiums. Workers’ compensation is meant to cover the following if you are injured on the job:
- Medical bills
- Prescriptions
- Rehabilitation
- Travel expenses.
It should also compensate you for any illnesses that you might contract on the job.
The problem for less-than-ethical employers is that when an employee is injured and makes a claim for benefits, those premiums increase. Because they do not want to pay more than they have to, they may try to push the liability for your injury back onto you and refuse to pay.
This is an unacceptable response to your injury. If you are injured on the job, you are entitled to compensation so that you can move on with your life.
How A Workers’ Comp Lawyer in Milledgeville Can Help You
If you believe that you have been wrongly denied after your workers’ compensation claim, reach out to our Milledgeville workers’ comp lawyer. We can help in the following ways:
- Ensuring that all application documents are filled out in an accurate and timely manner.
- Investigating the case and gathering evidence that supports your claim.
- Keeping track of any related medical documents.
- Speaking with insurance providers to negotiate a fair settlement.
- Representing and supporting you throughout a potential trial.
Are You Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Georgia?
Not everyone is covered by workers’ compensation, and not all injuries and illnesses apply either. There are regulations for eligibility. You must meet all these criteria in order to be eligible for workers’ compensation in Milledgeville, GA.
You Must Be an Employee of the Company
By an employee of the company, we mean that you need to be on the company’s payroll as a part-time or full-time employee. Contractors and freelancers are not eligible for workers’ comp benefits in most cases.
However, there have been exceptions to the rule that have sued for compensation, anyway. For instance, Uber employs independent contractors for their rideshare services, but they have been sued for workers’ compensation. If you believe that you deserve compensation, you should speak with our attorney.
Your Employer Must Have Coverage
Not all employers are required to offer workers’ compensation in Georgia. But as we mentioned, if your company has more than three employees — part-time or full-time — the owner is legally obligated to secure coverage for those workers.
Your Injury or Illness Must Be Related to the Job
Generally speaking, if you become sick or injured while doing work that benefits your employer, you deserve compensation. However, there may be some gray areas — such as if you are unsure where you contracted an illness or where you may have signed a waiver of liability. If you are unsure whether your situation applies, Milledgeville workers’ comp lawyers can help you.
Additionally, there is a deadline for applying for workers’ comp benefits. You must meet this deadline, which depends on various factors (such as the injury or injury), in order to receive benefits. You can talk with our attorney for more detailed information.
The Two Types of Workers’ Compensation Disability Benefits
In some workers’ compensation cases, you may need disability compensation to cover a long-term disability. There are different types of workers’ compensation benefits for temporary and permanent disability.
Temporary Disability Benefits
In cases of disabilities that exist for a time before you are fully healed, you may be entitled to short-term disability benefits. You may be unable to return to work until you have recovered, in which case workers’ compensation can compensate you for the lost income.
But temporary disability still applies in the case that you are partially able to work. You can receive payment for the hours you work and have workers’ comp make up for the rest of your normal income.
For both situations, workers’ comp disability benefits may offer up to two-thirds of the average weekly salary you were earning at the time of your injury or illness.
Permanent Disability Benefits
In some cases, you may be unable to return to work — at least unable to return to the kind of work you did before. If you are no longer able to work due to your illness or injury, workers’ compensation should cover permanent disability benefits.
A doctor must determine that your injury is permanent and that you will be unable to work for 12 months or more. This may even be a lifetime change.
If you can continue working, but at a lower rate than you were receiving at the time of the injury, you will receive benefits based on a disability rating. To learn more about the rating system and where your injury fits in, get in touch with our Milledgeville workers’ compensation attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions for Our Milledgeville Workers’ Comp Lawyer
Filing a workers’ compensation claim can easily become complicated and filled with questions you do not have the answers to. Our Milledgeville workers’ comp lawyer, David Mann, has years of experience in this area of law and can answer any of your questions.
These are some of the frequently asked questions we receive about workers’ compensation. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact our Milledgeville workers’ compensation attorney.
What does Georgia law say about workers’ compensation?
Any time a business owner has three or more regular employees, the owner is required to pay for workers’ compensation coverage. This applies to both full-time and part-time employees.
There are some exceptions to this rule, according to Georgia Code Section 34-9-2. Railroad workers, farmworkers, independent contractors, and domestic servants are all exempt.
What if my employer does not have coverage?
If your employer is legally required to maintain workers’ compensation coverage and does not, you are well within your rights to file a lawsuit. You may also opt to investigate any government programs that apply to your situation. In either case, an attorney can greatly help your efforts and support you through the process.
How do I file a claim?
In Georgia, you have one year from the date of injury to file for workers’ comp benefits. To do so, you must contact the state’s Board of Workers’ Compensation to request a WC-14 form. Submit this form back to the state board and provide your employer with a copy as well.
How long can I expect to receive benefits?
You may be able to receive benefits for up to 400 weeks, depending on the situation. For catastrophic injuries, you may even be eligible for lifetime benefits. As soon as you are able to return to work without restriction or limitation, your benefits will cease.
What happens if I die on the job?
For any workplace death after July 1, 2019, dependents can make a claim for two-thirds of the decedent’s weekly wage before death. The dependent must be a surviving spouse, child, or dependent stepchild to be eligible. Again, our Milledgeville workers’ compensation attorney can further inform you about the details. If you’re dealing with such unfortunate situations, consulting with a wrongful death lawyer can also be beneficial.
Why Call Milledgeville Workers’ Comp Lawyers?
Experience, Passion, and a Personal Touch to Help You Win Your Workers’ Comp Case
Our team is here for you as you navigate the complicated and sometimes painful workers’ compensation process. We have years of experience and offer compassionate legal guidance. Contact us today to learn more about our services: (478) 742-3381.
Attorney David Mann
Before leading his own firm, Mann served for several years as in-house defense counsel for a large insurance company, which gives him unique insight into how insurance companies work. He uses this critical knowledge as an advantage for his clients. He is a tough negotiator and litigator, and he is exceptionally strategic in building cases on behalf of personal injury victims.[ Attorney Bio ]
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