Peachtree City Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Workplace injuries can occur in any setting, and they can be devastating for workers and their families. If you’ve been hurt on the job, you’re likely facing significant medical expenses. Combined with the wages you’ve been unable to earn during your recovery, this can become a serious financial hardship.

An experienced Peachtree City workers’ compensation lawyer from Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., can help you seek the benefits you need as you recover from your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn what we can do for you.

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

Georgia’s workers’ compensation program makes it possible for workers who are injured on the job to receive medical care, rehabilitation, physical therapy, disability benefits, and travel expenses through their employer’s insurance. The program ensures injured workers can get the help they need right away.

Do All Peachtree City Employers Have to Carry Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

The Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC) requires all employers with three or more employees to carry workers’ comp coverage. This rule applies to regular part-time workers as well as full-time employees. In other words, most Georgia employees are covered under the state’s workers’ comp program.

Are There Certain Workers Who Are Not Covered by Workers’ Comp?

Some categories of workers aren’t covered under workers’ comp, although other programs may help them if they’re injured. Employees not covered by workers’ comp in Georgia include:

• Farm and railroad workers
• Domestic laborers
• Independent contractors
• Federal employees

What Should I Do If I Am Injured On the Job?

You must do two things right away if you’ve suffered a workplace injury: seek medical care and report the injury to your employer in writing. Which of these you do first will depend on the severity of the injury. If it’s an emergency, your health comes first.

When you report your injury to your employer, it may make sense to do so verbally. However, you’ll still want to report it in writing. A written report establishes a record that will be crucial for your workers’ comp case.

Once you’ve taken these immediate actions, begin documenting your injury by getting names and contact info for any eyewitnesses and taking notes on your injuries, treatment, and medical costs. Keep all records associated with your case.

The other urgent thing you’ll need to do is contact a Peachtree City workers’ compensation lawyer. Their knowledge and experience will help you understand your rights and options for compensation.

How Soon Do I Need to Tell My Employer I Have Been Hurt?

Tell your employer immediately following the accident, making sure to do it in writing at the earliest possible opportunity. You technically have 30 days to report your injury. But reporting it as soon as possible gives you one less thing to worry about as you navigate your physical recovery and the workers’ comp claim process.

What Are the Most Common Workplace Accident Injuries?

All kinds of injuries can occur on the job. Workers’ comp benefits can cover a vast range of injuries, including:

It’s important to note that workers’ comp doesn’t only apply to accident-related injuries. Illnesses and injuries that develop over time are also covered.

What Benefits Does Workers’ Compensation Pay?

Workers’ compensation pays injured workers for a variety of losses:

• Medical costs – Georgia workers’ comp covers all the reasonable and necessary expenses related to securing medical care and treatment for the injury. This includes emergency treatment, follow-up care, long-term care, medical equipment, and more.
• Lost wages – Injured workers are typically unable to return to work right away, if at all. Workers’ comp covers a portion of their lost earnings through temporary and permanent disability payments.
• Death benefits – In cases involving workplace death, surviving family members who depended on the victim for financial support may be able to claim death benefits under workers’ comp.

How Long Does Georgia Workers’ Compensation Pay Benefits?

If you suffered a catastrophic injury, you may be eligible to receive lifetime benefits. Otherwise, coverage under the Georgia workers’ comp program entitles you to 400 weeks of benefits. Your benefits may be reduced if you’re cleared to return to limited work. They may be suspended if you’re cleared to return to work without restrictions.

Can My Employer Fire Me for Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim?

Workers’ compensation law exists to protect employees from termination when they’re injured on the job. It’s illegal for your employer to fire you if you file a workers’ comp claim. Wrongful termination opens your employer up to legal action.

Do I Have a Time Limit for Filing a Peachtree City Workers’ Compensation Claim?

The statute of limitations for filing a workers’ comp claim under Georgia law is one year from the date of injury. However, there are cases where this time is extended. A Peachtree City workers’ compensation lawyer can review your case and determine how long you have to file.

What If My Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied?

Workers’ comp claims may be denied for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, this happens due to paperwork errors and other technicalities. But it can also happen for more questionable reasons. If you believe your claim was unfairly denied, you can request a hearing with the Georgia SBWC. If it reaches this point, you should be sure to enlist the services of a skilled workers’ compensation attorney.

Contact a Peachtree City Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Workers’ compensation cases can be complex. When you’re recovering from a workplace injury, you deserve to have the time to focus on your physical recovery without worrying about filing a claim.

Working with a Peachtree City workers’ compensation lawyer from Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. allows you to trust that your case is being handled by an attorney with decades of experience in this area of the law. We’ll help you seek the justice you deserve while you concentrate on healing. Contact us today for a free consultation.