Accidents in the workplace are rather common and often involve injuries such as fractured ribs from falls, carpal tunnel syndrome due to typing, and spine conditions from carrying large boxes. If an employee gets injured on the job due to circumstances outside their control, they should not be required to cover their medical treatment or any other losses sustained from the accident.
You need to learn and exercise your rights as a worker to get the compensation you deserve. In this article, we’ll discuss your numerous rights under state law as an employee in Atlanta, Georgia.
Workers’ Compensation Laws in Atlanta, Georgia
It is mandatory for all Georgia employers with over three employees to have workers’ compensation insurance in the event that one of their workers is injured while on the job. In addition, your employer is required by law to provide a directory of six different doctors that accept your employee insurance.
It is your responsibility as an injured worker to notify your employer as soon as possible of your accident and to make a formal claim for compensation. After that, you should consult a doctor to treat your injuries. This doctor must be on your employer’s list of eligible doctors.
After that, your employer is obligated to submit your claim to their insurer to be evaluated, so compensation can be paid out, but they also have the option of denying your claim. In this case, you may file a workers’ compensation appeal and request a hearing to challenge their denial.
It’s always in your best interest to consult with an Atlanta workers’ compensation attorney before signing any papers or agreements because your employer may try to manipulate or persuade you to compromise for less money. If you have to cover the cost of your injuries alone, you may find yourself in a difficult financial situation.
Why Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Provided
Workers who suffer an injury or disability because of their job are protected under workers’ compensation laws. This coverage includes lost pay and related expenses, including reimbursement for transportation to and from doctor’s appointments. The statutes reward aggrieved workers with predetermined monetary awards to reduce the need for further litigation.
There are two different types of temporary disability benefits available via worker’s compensation, namely Temporary Partial Disability and Temporary Total Disability, depending on the extent of your injury and how long it takes you to recover. Whether you can return to work at a lower wage than before your accident — or your physician recommends you not to return to work at all — will determine which payment category you fall under.
In addition, Permanent Partial Disability benefits are available under workers’ compensation for those who have lost some function due to an injury at work. An accredited workers’ compensation doctor will give you this assessment when your medical treatment has ended or is about to finish.
Understanding Georgia’s Workers’ Compensation Statute of Limitations
One of the most crucial things to know when pursuing a workman’s compensation claim is that there is a statute of limitations, meaning the claim must be submitted within a set period. As soon as this time limit is expired, you will no longer be able to collect the compensation you are entitled to. To comply with Georgia legislation, you must strictly report the injury to your employer or supervisor within 30 days. However, if you are certain that your superior or employer witnessed the circumstances that led to your accident, you may be exempt from this requirement.
If you don’t alert your employer in a timely manner, you’ll need to prepare and submit a letter explaining why. It’s a good idea to have Atlanta work injury lawyers on your side to help you decide what your next measures should be because late claims are rarely accepted.
Seek the Help of a Work Injury Attorney
Even though workers’ compensation claims are often uncomplicated, you run the risk of running into several issues or making mistakes during the claims process if you don’t seek the assistance of work injury lawyers. By consulting a qualified attorney, you can protect your rights and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.