Atlanta
Work Injury Lawyer

If you sustain an injury or develop an illness from work-related circumstances, you are most likely entitled to collect workers’ compensation. However, you may also have grounds for filing a personal injury claim if your injury leaves you disabled, collecting Social Security Disability Benefits.

For those without a legal background, it can be difficult to know what compensation to seek and how to file for it. Do not risk missing out on recouping your losses through a fair financial settlement. After your work-related accident or at the onset of your illness, seek guidance from an experienced Atlanta work injury lawyer from John Foy & Associates.

Work Injury and Illness Statistics

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the following for the most recent full year of data collection:

• 2, 607, 900 recordable private industry non-fatal injuries and illnesses
• 5,190 fatal injuries in all work sectors

In Georgia, rates for work-related transportation accidents, injuries caused by violence, and damage caused by exposure to harmful chemicals exceed those for the United States overall. For slips, trips, falls, and other categories of work accidents, Georgia’s rates are slightly less than the national picture. 

The breakdown of Georgia’s work-related injuries shows:

• 40.6%  involved transportation incidents
• 19.8% involved violence by people or animals
• 16.6% involved exposure to harmful substances
• 11.8% involved slip, trip, or fall events
• 11.2% involved other types of incidents

Examples of Work Injuries

Work injuries can be related to your work tasks, or just happen during the course of your employment.  

You may be working on a construction site and fall from scaffolding or be hurt using dangerous equipment. You can also experience a slip and fall in a poorly lit hallway in your office building. Even motor vehicle accidents fall into the work-injury category if you are driving for work purposes, perhaps delivering documents or driving to attend a meeting with a client.

Should you develop an illness from workplace conditions, you can seek compensation. For example, if you are exposed to toxic chemicals or mold and develop respiratory consequences, your work injury attorney in Atlanta can help you pursue a settlement. 

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

If you are injured at work, your first recourse is to seek workers’ compensation. Employers in Georgia are required to have this insurance if they employ three or more workers, and coverage starts the first day on the job. 

Workers’ compensation provides coverage for medical costs and partial lost wages. It is in your best interest to secure an Atlanta work injury attorney from John Foy & Associates following your accident. 

For one, your attorney can guide you through the workers’ compensation claim process, ensuring you fulfill all requirements, meet filing deadlines, and get the full benefits you deserve. Further, workers’ compensation claims can be denied or your employer may not handle your claim honestly. When you have a lawyer managing your claim or appealing a denial, you are more likely to see a successful resolution. 

Sometimes, there may be a third party whose negligence contributes to your accident. While you cannot sue your employer, you can hold that third party accountable for your losses. This option is especially important if workers’ compensation does not adequately cover your needs. 

Possible Negligent Third Parties

Third-party injuries occur when someone other than your employer causes your workplace injuries either through intentional actions or negligence. For example, if you work in a building owned by an entity other than your employer and fall on a broken stair or slip in an icy entranceway, the building owner or entity responsible for its maintenance may be culpable. If you are hurt by a malfunctioning construction vehicle, the vehicle or part manufacturer may be a negligent third party.

Victims do not always recognize that there are third parties who may owe them substantial compensation. An experienced work injury lawyer in Atlanta, GA will know to investigate all aspects of your accident to discover if others hold fault and collect evidence to prove their negligence if they do. 

Recovering Damages After a Work Injury

Workers’ compensation covers medical bills, travel to medical appointments, provides a weekly paycheck at two-thirds of your wages (untaxed) with a cap of $675, and, if warranted, a permanent disability rating. It does not account for your physical pain and suffering or your emotional distress.

Once your work injury lawyer in Atlanta assesses your case and determines an at-fault third party, you can seek to recoup your full income losses and receive financial justice for your emotional and physical pain. 

What Is a Disability Rating?

If you sustain a workplace injury or illness and a doctor determines your ailment to be severe, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation disability payments. To receive them, a medical examiner must first assign you a disability rating. 

You will have to undergo an independent medical examination that can include laboratory tests, imaging studies, and physical and oral examinations. Based on the results, the examiner will assign you a disability rating, typically using guidelines established by the American Medical Association (AMA). Your disability rating determines how long your benefits will continue.

Social Security Disability Benefits

The United States Social Security Administration (SSA) provides benefits to those who are too disabled to work and earn a sustainable income. If your work-related injury or illness leaves you in this situation, you may be able to collect Social Security Disability (SSD).

Applying for benefits is a rigorous and often frustrating process, as you will have to work through layers of bureaucracy. A work injury attorney in Atlanta, GA can make the process far easier, helping you collect all required documentation and fill out your application accurately and with comprehensive evidence to prove your disability. 

Financial Recovery After a Work-Related Injury or Illness Is Possible

The repercussions of a work-related injury or illness are extensive, often leaving victims in physical and emotional pain, stifling their ability to work and earn, and ultimately causing tremendous financial strain. An Atlanta work injury lawyer from John Foy & Associates will help you fight for fair workers’ compensation and hold any negligent third parties accountable for your losses. To get this process started, contact us for a free consultation with a caring, experienced attorney from the Strong Arm of Georgia.