[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/will-workers-compensation-pay-for-my-lost-wages\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/will-workers-compensation-pay-for-my-lost-wages\/","headline":"Will Workers\u2019 Compensation Pay for My Lost Wages?","name":"Will Workers\u2019 Compensation Pay for My Lost Wages?","description":"After you\u2019re injured on the job, you could obtain workers\u2019 compensation benefits. Those\u00a0benefits\u00a0include payment for lost income if you cannot work due to your injury. The total amount of wage replacement benefits depends on the severity of the injury and your average weekly wage. Do All Employers in...","datePublished":"2023-06-28","dateModified":"2025-05-07","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/author\/kenbernard\/#Person","name":"Ken Bernard","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/author\/kenbernard\/","identifier":7,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2c8989e3a6ded75e4fe0fae6e90fc6dfec65eaf7676e8cefa113ad6e8e2d6c66?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2c8989e3a6ded75e4fe0fae6e90fc6dfec65eaf7676e8cefa113ad6e8e2d6c66?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Sherrod & Bernard, P.C.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SB-Logo-1.png","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SB-Logo-1.png","width":300,"height":109}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/injured-on-site.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/injured-on-site.jpeg","height":666,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/will-workers-compensation-pay-for-my-lost-wages\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=xuuOKMUz4NI#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=xuuOKMUz4NI","name":"Can my employer tell me what doctor to see if I am injured on my job? | Sherrod & Bernard","description":"An injured worker should never be forced to go to a particular clinic. Instead, the worker should be able to choose a doctor or clinic from what is known as a posted panel of physicians. The posted panel should be in a prominent place like a break room or by the time clock. This should usually contain at least six physicians or professional associations reasonably accessible to the injured worker. \n\nAt Sherrod & Bernard, we like to review the panel with our client and assist the worker in choosing the best position for the injury involved.\n__\nSherrod & Bernard, P.C. - Personal Injury Lawyers in Douglasville\n8470 Price Ave \nDouglasville, GA 30134\nPhone: (770) 920 - 8350\nwww.sherrodandbernard.com","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/xuuOKMUz4NI\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/xuuOKMUz4NI\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/xuuOKMUz4NI\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/xuuOKMUz4NI\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/xuuOKMUz4NI\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2019-08-16T11:00:12+00:00","duration":"PT44S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xuuOKMUz4NI","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCNK4EK-AuNLyADEP1Gsgx7w#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCNK4EK-AuNLyADEP1Gsgx7w","name":"Sherrod and Bernard","description":"When you are in a legal bind, you need an experienced attorney you can count on to provide you with skilled representation and sound legal counsel. Every lawyer under the sun will tell you that he or she is the right person for the job, but you need a firm backed with a successful track record. You need the firm of Sherrod & Bernard, serving the Douglasville area.\n\nAfter attending the University of Georgia together, attorneys John Sherrod and Ken Bernard founded the law firm of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. in 1992. From the very beginning, the goal of our firm has been to provide each and every client with the quality personal service and skilled representation they deserve. You can count on our work ethic and our commitment to our clients.\n\nYou need a highly skilled attorney to successfully resolve your legal issues. One of our lawyers can help. Schedule a free consultation by calling our Douglasville office at 770-920-8350.","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/uK-5K9pyHHwlk4D1Wclej9JOOudzsipnxVRsoc1u0fyFTl1Ykw0P1mMXhCw6PbtfZAwzpbuF_A=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=xuuOKMUz4NI#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=xuuOKMUz4NI#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=xuuOKMUz4NI&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=xuuOKMUz4NI#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":1646}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=xuuOKMUz4NI#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":3}]},"about":["Workers' Compensation"],"wordCount":977,"articleBody":"After you\u2019re injured on the job, you could obtain workers\u2019 compensation benefits. Those\u00a0benefits\u00a0include payment for lost income if you cannot work due to your injury. The total amount of wage replacement benefits depends on the severity of the injury and your average weekly wage.Do All Employers in Georgia Have to Carry Workers\u2019 Compensation Insurance?In\u00a0Georgia, any employer with three or more workers must carry workers\u2019 compensation insurance to cover all employees, including part-time or seasonal workers.\u00a0However, state and federal law exempts certain employers from the requirement to have workers\u2019 comp insurance, including:Sole proprietorships with only one or two workers other than the ownerLLCs and partnerships that do not have three or more workers other than the company\u2019s partners or membersRailroad companiesEmployers of farm and domestic workersGovernment agenciesHow Is the Amount I Would Receive in Lost Wages Determined?The\u00a0Georgia workers\u2019 compensation system\u00a0calculates lost wage benefits based on your average weekly wage before suffering a work-related injury. You can receive two-thirds of your average weekly wage. Workers\u2019 comp looks at the last 13 weeks you worked before suffering a work accident to\u00a0determine your average weekly earnings.Is There a Cap on What I Can Receive Weekly?Georgia law places a maximum cap on the lost wage benefits you can receive. For total disability benefits, the state currently has a cap of $725.00 per week if your injury happened on or after July 1, 2022. Temporary partial disability benefits have a maximum weekly benefit of $483. The state adjusts these caps regularly to account for inflation.Will Overtime Wages Be Included in My Lost Wages?Although you cannot request \u201covertime\u201d benefits even if you would have worked overtime had you not suffered an injury, any past overtime wages you earned during the 13-week period for calculating your average weekly wage get counted as part of your wages.\u00a0Your average weekly wage can include vacation pay, holiday pay, and incentives or bonuses you received during the lookback period.What Are the Different Levels of Disablement for Workers\u2019 Comp?The Georgia workers\u2019 compensation system provides injured workers with four types of lost pay benefits. The levels of benefits include:Temporary total disability (TTD) \u2013\u00a0For TTD, you are completely unable to work, but only temporarily. These benefits pay you two-thirds of your average weekly wage for a maximum of 400 weeks from the date of your injury. Eligibility for temporary total disability benefits begins after missing work for seven consecutive days.Temporary partial disability (TPD) \u2013\u00a0These benefits pay two-thirds of the difference between your pre-injury average weekly wage and your reduced wages while working as you recover from your injury. TPD covers a maximum of 350 weeks following the date of your work injury.Permanent total disability (PTD) \u2013\u00a0You must have a total and permanent loss of wage-earning ability for PTD. When you suffer a catastrophic injury or disability, you may have the right to lifetime payments as long as you cannot perform any work.Permanent partial disability (PPD) \u2013\u00a0On PPD, you are partially disabled on a permanent basis, and part of your wage-earning capacity is lost. The number of weeks you may receive benefits will depend on which body parts have suffered permanent disability and the rating your doctor provides. This is not a wage replacement benefit. Permanent partial disability is meant to compensate you for your loss of use of a body part or system.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAm I Required to See a Doctor to Get My Worker\u2019s Comp Benefits?Georgia law requires an authorized treating physician to certify that you have suffered a work-related injury to obtain medical benefits through workers\u2019 compensation.\u00a0Your physician must also verify that you have suffered a disability requiring your absence from work before you can receive lost pay benefits.The state requires you to seek workers\u2019 compensation-covered care from a physician approved by your employer. Your employer may compile a panel of six physicians or more \u2013 including at least one orthopedic physician \u2013 from which you can choose. You may switch to another physician on the panel once without your employer\u2019s permission.Alternatively, your employer may contract with a Georgia Workers\u2019 Compensation Board-certified managed care organization that maintains a list of eligible medical service providers that you may choose from. You can switch to another eligible physician once without your employer\u2019s permission.How Soon Must I Report My Injury to My Employer?Georgia\u2019s workers\u2019 compensation law\u00a0obligates you to report a work accident or occupational injury to your employer immediately after the accident or injury. However, you should not wait longer than 30 days to report your injury to your employer.\u00a0If you do, you may jeopardize your eligibility for workers\u2019 compensation benefits. Not reporting your injury to your employer may also cause a delay in receiving critical workers\u2019 comp benefits, such as payment of medical care.Do Workers\u2019 Compensation Payments Come by Paper Checks or Direct Deposit?Traditionally, lost pay benefits get paid via paper check. However, many workers\u2019 compensation insurers have begun offering injured workers the option to receive their payment via direct deposit.\u00a0Direct deposit avoids delays in receiving payment or the risk of a paper check getting lost in the mail or stolen.Once you have missed at least seven consecutive days from work, you should expect to receive your first check within 21 days of the date you suffered your work injury.Contact a Georgia Workers\u2019 Compensation LawyerIf you have more questions about the lost pay benefits you might receive from workers\u2019 comp after sustaining a work-related injury, contact\u00a0Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., today for a free, no-obligation consultation. A Georgia workers\u2019 compensation lawyer\u00a0from our law firm can help you understand your legal rights and discuss what you can expect at each step when you pursue a workers\u2019 comp claim.Visit Our Georgia Workers\u2019 Compensation Claim Law Offices"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Will Workers\u2019 Compensation Pay for My Lost Wages?","item":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/will-workers-compensation-pay-for-my-lost-wages\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]