[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/missteps-may-hurt-your-chances-of-recovering-workers-comp-benefits\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/missteps-may-hurt-your-chances-of-recovering-workers-comp-benefits\/","headline":"Missteps That May Hurt Your Chances of Recovering Workers\u2019 Compensation Benefits in Georgia","name":"Missteps That May Hurt Your Chances of Recovering Workers\u2019 Compensation Benefits in Georgia","description":"Have you suffered a work-related injury while on the job in Georgia? If so, you may be entitled to workers\u2019 compensation benefits.\u00a0Georgia law\u00a0requires nearly all employers with three or more employees to purchase workers\u2019 comp insurance to protect their workers. When an employee gets injured on the job,...","datePublished":"2022-03-25","dateModified":"2024-03-21","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/author\/johnsherrod\/#Person","name":"John Sherrod","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/author\/johnsherrod\/","identifier":8,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/63ed235ae61137a2e8dec557ea4cd48dee882e0dc0bbcf9da6642f47d925925d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/63ed235ae61137a2e8dec557ea4cd48dee882e0dc0bbcf9da6642f47d925925d?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\/2022\/03\/with-arm-bandage.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/with-arm-bandage.jpg","height":667,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/missteps-may-hurt-your-chances-of-recovering-workers-comp-benefits\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KEV-0JWqgbU#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KEV-0JWqgbU","name":"Are there time deadlines for my workers' comp case? | Sherrod Bernard","description":"The statute of limitations is the time deadline a case must be filed by. In Georgia, the applicable statute of limitations for a workers' compensation case is one year. If the case is not filed by the applicable statute of limitations, the case is time-barred and forever lost. There are ways to extend the statute of limitations in cases where the employer voluntarily provided workers' compensation benefits after the injury. An injured worker must also be aware of another important time deadline. The injured worker must provide notice of his or her injury. This notice must be provided to the employer, and it must be done within 30 days from the time the worker has been injured on the job. \n\nAt Sherrod & Bernard, we recommend filing a claim as soon as the injury occurs.\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\/KEV-0JWqgbU\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/KEV-0JWqgbU\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/KEV-0JWqgbU\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/KEV-0JWqgbU\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/KEV-0JWqgbU\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2019-08-09T11:30:00+00:00","duration":"PT1M2S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KEV-0JWqgbU","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=KEV-0JWqgbU#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KEV-0JWqgbU#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KEV-0JWqgbU&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KEV-0JWqgbU#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":109621}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KEV-0JWqgbU#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":114}]},"about":["Workers' Compensation"],"wordCount":1042,"articleBody":"Have you suffered a work-related injury while on the job in Georgia? If so, you may be entitled to workers\u2019 compensation benefits.\u00a0Georgia law\u00a0requires nearly all employers with three or more employees to purchase workers\u2019 comp insurance to protect their workers. When an employee gets injured on the job, workers\u2019 comp benefits help cover injury-related medical expenses and replace a portion of lost wages while the employee is out of work.Unfortunately, employers and their insurance administrators sometimes dispute valid\u00a0workplace injury\u00a0claims. An injured worker may need to appeal a disputed claim and prove he or she is entitled to benefits. Our attorneys at\u00a0Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., are ready to help you seek the full benefits available by law and avoid mistakes that can jeopardize your claim. Below, we will review the common missteps that can damage your chances of receiving\u00a0workers\u2019 compensation\u00a0benefits.\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\tTop 5 Missteps That May Hurt Your Chances of Recovering Workers\u2019 Compensation Benefits in GeorgiaWorkers\u2019 comp\u00a0benefits are designed to cover medical expenses, a portion of lost wages, and other injury-related losses for employees who get hurt on the job. These benefits are available through a no-fault system that allows injured workers to get the money they need quickly.However, employees are required to follow specific steps to obtain the benefits. The failure to adhere to these steps can cost an injured worker both time and money.If you are seeking\u00a0workers\u2019 comp benefits\u00a0after a workplace injury in Georgia, it\u2019s important to be aware of the following common missteps:Waiting too long to report the accident or injury \u2013\u00a0Be sure to report the incident to your employer promptly. If you fail to report the injury\u00a0within 30 days, you may lose your right to benefits. Your employer or the insurance administrator may argue that your injury was caused by another event and deny your claim. If your injury prevents you from reporting the accident, ask a friend or family member to deliver the notification for you.Saying the wrong thing to your boss after an injury \u2013\u00a0Reporting your work injury to your supervisor is one of the most important steps in a Georgia workers\u2019 compensation case. However, it\u2019s important to be specific when discussing the incident. Rather than just telling the employer that you need medical attention, explain that you got hurt in a work-related accident and describe the details. It\u2019s best to send a follow-up letter describing your workplace injury to create a paper trail about what happened. Retain a copy of the letter for your records.Failing to See an Approved Doctor\u2014Your employer is required to provide a list of at least six doctors who are approved to treat workers\u2019 compensation cases. These doctors are part of a panel of physicians or a managed care organization. If you go to your family physician rather than see a listed doctor or managed care organization approved by your employer, then your workers\u2019 compensation insurance administrator may deny your claim.Signing paperwork for a workers\u2019 compensation settlement without having a lawyer review it first \u2013\u00a0Anytime you sign paperwork presented by an insurer, your signature indicates that you fully understand and agree to the terms. You need to be sure you clearly understand the terms of any settlement agreement. In many cases, when you agree to a settlement, you are agreeing that you will not seek additional benefits related to the injury. A lawyer can help you understand the fine print and legalese, so you know exactly what kind of terms you are accepting before you sign.Neglecting to contact a workers\u2019 compensation lawyer \u2013\u00a0The best way to improve your chances of obtaining workers\u2019 compensation benefits is to work with an attorney who has experience handling workplace injury cases. A seasoned Georgia workers\u2019 comp attorney will understand the specifics of the state workers\u2019 comp system and help you navigate every stage of the claims process. It\u2019s important to work with an attorney who has handled numerous on-the-job injury cases similar to your case.Is There Always a Settlement in Workers\u2019 Comp Cases in Georgia?Settlements are not guaranteed in Georgia workers\u2019 comp claims. When an injured worker and an employer agree to a workers\u2019 comp settlement, the injured worker may receive weekly benefits for a period of time-based on the extent of the loss of use of a part of your body.If an employee agrees to a settlement, the insurance company will usually insist on a full and final settlement. This means the employee agrees to give up the right to demand more money for the claim in the future.\u00a0Insurance companies sometimes allow limited settlements, in which they agree to continue making certain payments, such as the costs of future medical care. However, insurance companies generally dislike having to make indefinite payments, so this type of settlement is relatively rare.Every\u00a0workers\u2019 comp\u00a0case is different. The value of your settlement can vary significantly based on a number of factors, including:The nature and severity of your injuriesHow long your injuries will take to healThe cost of your unpaid\u00a0medical billsThe estimated costs of future medical careYour average pre-injury weekly wageThe evidence available for your claimHow your injuries affect your ability to workThe costs of retraining or accommodating disabilitiesAre Workers\u2019 Compensation Claim Settlements Paid in Lump-Sum Payments?Many workers\u2019 comp claim settlements end in lump-sum payments. A lump-sum payment is a one-time payment of the entire amount owed to the employee for their claim. Lump-sum settlements can have tax consequences, which an attorney can help you understand.\u00a0In some cases, an insurance company may agree to a structured settlement instead. A structured settlement is a series of smaller payments made over time, which is more common in cases involving serious work injuries that require long-term care.Contact an Experienced Georgia Workers\u2019 Comp Lawyer TodayAt\u00a0Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., our Georgia workers\u2019 comp attorneys have years of experience helping injured workers seek the full benefits they need. When you contact us, we can answer your questions and discuss your options for seeking\u00a0workers\u2019 compensation\u00a0benefits during a free case review. Call us today.Visit Our Workers\u2019 Compensation Claim Law Offices\ufeff"},{"@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":"Missteps That May Hurt Your Chances of Recovering Workers\u2019 Compensation Benefits in Georgia","item":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/missteps-may-hurt-your-chances-of-recovering-workers-comp-benefits\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]