You may be entitled to workers’ compensation if you were injured on the job. An injury suffered at work can leave you mentally, physically, and emotionally scarred. The impact of your accident can also be detrimental to your financial well-being due to high medical bills and lost earning capacity. You may be facing enormous life changes associated with your injury. You could need home and vehicle modifications or might even have long-term disabilities to adjust to. These obstacles can be incredibly frustrating, especially if your injury occurred on the job.
When recovering from a workplace injury, you need the most support from your employer and insurance. However, they often abandon you because they are more interested in saving money than providing fair benefits. Working with an attorney is the best way to recover and maximize compensation. A strong, experienced legal team can battle large insurance companies and ensure you are well cared for. Your attorney serves as an advocate you need to help you navigate this complex process of obtaining benefits.
To begin working with a Georgia workers’ compensation lawyer, contact us online or call (706) 863-6600.
Why Should I Choose Chris Hudson Law Group?
At Chris Hudson Law Group, we put the needs of our clients first. We firmly believe in helping injured workers get the compensation they deserve. After a work injury, you might find that your employer and their insurance are more interested in their bottom line than your well-being. We’ve vowed to step in on behalf of injured workers in Georgia and ensure you receive the benefits you’re entitled to. For over a decade, we have fought for the compensation our clients need while giving them the sympathetic care they deserve.
Chris Hudson Law Group will take over every aspect of your case to ensure you can focus on getting treatment and returning to work. Our workers’ compensation lawyers in Georgia will handle all the logistics and communication in your case to work towards the most favorable outcome possible.
Common Workers’ Compensation Claims
Severe injuries can occur in any work environment, even in the safest conditions. While some injuries may be more impactful, any injury in the workplace can harm your overall well-being, and recovering compensation is likely your right. Some of the most common workers’ compensation injuries include:
Overexertion – Injuries of this type result when someone strains a muscle or joint. Typically, these injuries result from strenuous manual labor jobs but can even occur in an office while moving files or furniture.
Slips, trips, falls – These injuries can result when any number of hazards are present in the workplace. Wet surfaces or loose carpeting can lead to slips, trips, or falls and can cause strains, sprains, and broken bones, among other injuries.
Repetitive strain – Repetitive strains can occur when workers repeat the same motions. While developing these injuries may take years, winning a claim can be helped if you have a documented history of symptoms.
Falling object injuries – Falling shelves in an office or tools on a work site can cause serious blunt force or penetrative injuries. Various injuries can occur from an accident of this type, and, in extreme cases, a wrongful death may result.
Highway injuries – Construction workers, truck drivers, and even police officers are vulnerable to highway injuries. These accidents can be horrific and life-threatening.
Machinery accidents – Workers subjected to faulty equipment or improper guidance on operating machinery can suffer severe injuries.
You may have suffered a similar injury, or your accident may be unique. Either way, if you have suffered a workplace injury, you should consult with a legal advocate. Our team at Chris Hudson Law Group can build a strong case to ensure you do not suffer any financial hardship due to an on-the-job injury.
Were You Injured Working at Plant Vogtle?
Who Will Pay for My Georgia’s Workers’ Compensation Claim?
Depending on your employer’s workers’ compensation program, your benefits will come from one of three places. Your employer’s size generally does not determine the program it participates in. Nor should it matter whether it is in the public or private sector.
The three primary workers’ compensation programs are:
- State-Run Programs
- Insurance Companies
- Self-Insurance
Working with a seasoned workers’ comp attorney is the best way to understand your claim. The company responsible for providing your benefits will have a legal team on their side, and so should you.
What Benefits Am I Entitled To?
Compensation depends on several factors, including the severity of the injury and the duration of work missed. Working with an attorney can ensure you recover the proper compensation.
If you miss work for more than seven days, you are likely entitled to temporary disability benefits. You can recover two-thirds of your average weekly wage before your injury. However, Georgia caps temporary disability benefits at $575 per week. If you work fewer hours due to your work injury, temporary disability benefits can subsidize your lost wages, up to $383 per week.
Once your medical recovery is complete, your doctor will evaluate your eligibility for permanent total disability benefits. These benefits are reserved for severe injuries such as the loss of multiple limbs or eyes. If you qualify for these benefits, you can recover weekly payments for life.
If your medical team determines that you have a permanent partial disability, you would be eligible for scheduled or unscheduled benefits under Georgia law.
Scheduled benefits are available when specific body parts become disabled. These include eyes, ears, arms, legs, hands, or feet. You can receive two-thirds of your average weekly wage if you qualify for scheduled benefits for a certain number of weeks per year. The duration depends upon the specifics of your injury.
Unscheduled benefits are available to those who suffered injuries not on the state schedule. This includes injuries to the head, neck, spine, or organs. Your doctor will rate your disability as a percentage in relation to your total bodily ability. If they give you a 50% disability rating, you can recover 150 weeks of benefits at two-thirds of your average weekly wage before your injury.
Additional benefits are available under Georgia workers’ compensation laws. These benefits include:
- Medical costs
- Mileage reimbursement (for travel related to medical care)
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Death benefits
- Funeral expenses
Recovering benefits is your legal right if you have suffered a workplace injury. Consult an attorney right away.
Contact a Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you suffered an injury while on the job, you need a legal advocate now more than ever. Our attorneys can help you fill out your application thoroughly to avoid common mistakes that lead to denied claims. If your workers’ comp application was denied, we’ll help build a strong case and appeal the decision to help you get the benefits you need and deserve.
To begin working with our Georgia workers’ compensation lawyers, contact us 24/7 by filling in a contact form or calling (706) 863-6600.
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