Georgia mandates that every employer who has more than 3 employees needs to have workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance coverage is designed to help employees in case they get injured at work or they develop a work-related illness. There are serious fines for employers who don’t carry the necessary workers’ compensation insurance.
There are certain exemptions but most employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance coverage offers benefits to full-time as well as part-time employees, in case of injury. Our Mableton workers’ compensation lawyers are here to help ensure your injuries are properly covered. If you have any questions about the process or a denied claim call our personal injury firm at (770)988-6155.
What Should I Do If I Am Hurt On The Job?
If you are injured on the job in Mableton, Georgia, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, you should not make the mistake of assuming that your benefits claim is going to be approved automatically. While many of the claims are approved and injured workers are able to get the deserved benefits, there are also several cases where these benefits are denied. This is why you need to follow certain steps in order to protect your rights.
Tell Your Employer In Writing
It is important to give written notice to your supervisor or manager. You need to give a written notice even if they are aware of your injuries. Also, this notice needs to be given within 30 days of the injury. If you delay, you might not receive full benefits. You should also know that you are not required to sign any statement. If your employer asks you to sign a statement, you should first get in touch with an experienced Mableton workers’ compensation lawyer at John B Jackson Law to discuss the details of your case.
Visit A Doctor
You should seek immediate medical attention for your injuries. A list of approved doctors should be posted in your workplace. In case the list isn’t available readily, you might have to ask your supervisor for the list. It is important that you visit a doctor on the list of approved physicians. If you go to a doctor who is not on the list, your medical expenses might not be covered under workers’ compensation benefits.
However, the list of approved doctors needs to be made available in a reasonable time period and if it isn’t made available, you are free to visit a doctor of your own choice. It is also important that you follow the instructions given by your doctor and you should never miss an appointment.
Document Your Injuries
You need to develop the habit of keeping a diary documenting your injuries and your treatment. Take photographs of your injuries and keep tracking your progress with treatment. Also, you need to keep a record of everything related to your injuries including medical records, medical bills, and various other documents.
File A Claim With The Assistance Of A Workers Compensation Lawyer
The Georgia State Board of Workers Compensation handles the workers’ compensation claims in Mableton. You will need to complete Form WC– 14 and file it with the state board. A copy of this claim will need to be sent to your employer as well as the workers’ compensation insurance provider.
You should discuss the details of your case with an experienced Mableton workers’ compensation lawyer at the Law Office of John B Jackson before filing the workers’ compensation claim. Any kind of technical errors or missing deadlines or other issues might lead to delay or denial of your workers’ compensation benefits. You don’t need to pay anything for our services. We work on a contingent fee basis which means our legal costs will be covered by the settlement or weekly benefits we win for you.
Why You Should Hire A Workers Compensation Lawyer In Mableton
In most cases, the workers’ compensation benefits are settled quickly but there are times when even legitimate claims are denied by insurance companies. Insurance companies are always looking at their bottom line and are not concerned with your well-being. This is why you should retain the services of an experienced Mableton workers’ compensation lawyer.
We’ll make sure that all the necessary paperwork is filed on time and correctly. We will also follow up with the insurance company. In case the insurance company does not make a fair settlement offer, we will fight for your rights and make sure that you get a fair settlement. If your claim is denied, our experienced lawyers will appeal the decision and make a convincing argument to help you recover the benefits you deserve.
What Does It Cost To Hire A Mableton Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
Workers’ compensation cases are accepted on contingency fee arrangements. It simply means that you don’t have to pay anything to the attorney. All the costs are recovered from the settlement we will win for you. Also, the State Board of Workers Compensation needs to approve the attorney fees. There is a maximum cap of 25% of the settlement amount or the weekly benefits that can be paid as attorney fees.
What Should I Do If My Workers Compensation Claim Is Denied?
Workers’ compensation claims are routinely denied for various reasons but there are legal options available to you. If a claim is denied, the denial letter will also have the reason for which the claim has been denied. Workers have the right of appeal and they can ask for a hearing in front of the state board. This is why you need to hire the services of an experienced workers compensation attorney who is well versed with the system and is aware of the tricks used by insurance companies to deny legitimate benefits.
We will gather and present the required evidence during the hearing to bolster your compensation claims. Some of the evidence that is typically produced in such cases include witness statements, expert testimony, and medical reports among others.
Give us a call at (770)988-6155 to schedule a free consultation and to know more about the steps to take when your workers compensation claim is denied.
What’s the Time Limit to File a Workers Compensation Claim in Mableton, Georgia?
The statute of limitations is very clear on the subject. An injured worker has to file a claim for benefits within one year from the date of injury. There are certain circumstances where this deadline can be extended. This is why it is recommended to file the benefits claim as early as possible after suffering an injury at work.
Is an Independent Contractor Eligible to File a Workers Compensation Claim in Georgia?
The simple answer is no. Independent contractors are not considered employees and therefore, they cannot claim workers compensation benefits in Georgia. However, it has been observed that some employees are misclassified as independent contractors by employers. This is why, if you have been denied workers compensation benefits due to you being defined as an independent contractor, you need to call an experienced workers compensation attorney at John B Jackson Law to discuss the details of your case.
An individual has to meet certain criteria to be classified as an independent contractor and If those criteria aren’t met, they are likely to be considered an employee by the state board.
How Much Is My Mableton Workers’ Compensation Claim Worth?
Workers’ compensation benefits are designed to provide compensation to injured workers for their injuries. These benefits cover the medical expenses of the injured employee as well as provide compensation for loss of wages in certain conditions.
Medical Benefits
All the medical expenses should be covered under workers’ compensation but it’s important to see only an authorized doctor who is on the list of approved physicians. These benefits cover your medical bills, cost of rehabilitation, prescription medication, travel expenses related to the treatment of injury, and any other expenses related to your treatment. If you see a doctor who is not on the list of approved physicians, workers’ compensation might not cover your treatment costs.
Temporary Total Disability Benefits
These benefits are paid if you are unable to work due to injuries. These provide two-thirds of the average weekly wage of the injured worker and there is a maximum cap of $675 per week. The purpose of these benefits is to help workers get weekly income until they reach maximum medical improvement. These are paid for a maximum of 400 weeks.
Temporary Partial Disability Benefits
If a worker is able to get back to work but is able to earn less due to their illness or injury, they qualify for these benefits. These are calculated at two-thirds of the difference between the average weekly wage pre-injury and post-injury. The maximum amount that can be paid per week is $450 and these can be paid for up to 350 weeks.
Permanent Disability Benefits
The approved doctor is going to evaluate your condition once you have reached maximum medical improvement and they will give you a disability rating based on the guidelines issued by American Medical Association. The calculation for these benefits depends on the disability rating and the body part which has been disabled. Different body parts have different values. Workers with permanent and total disability are eligible for lifetime income benefits.
Schedule A Free Consultation To Review your Workers’ Comp Claim
It is unfortunate that the workers’ compensation claims process is not straightforward for injured workers. If you have suffered a workplace injury in Mableton, Georgia, you should contact John B Jackson Law. We have extensive experience in representing injured workers and we have helped many of our clients receive the benefits they deserve.
We work on a contingent fee basis which means you do not need to pay anything out of your own pocket. We will recover our legal costs from the settlement or weekly benefits we win for you. Give us a call at (770)988-6155 today to schedule a free consultation.
