Kohl’s Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Atlanta

Were you hurt during your shift at work? As the victim of a work injury, you have legal rights, and an Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyer can help you not only protect yourself throughout the process but also fight for the benefits you’re owed.

At John Foy & Associates, our attorneys have 350 years of combined experience advocating for our clients. Since 1999, our law firm has recovered more than $1 billion in compensation. As The Strong Arm™ in Georgia, our lawyers are deeply rooted in the Atlanta community.

As your Kohl’s workers’ compensation lawyer in Atlanta, you can count on us to prevent you from accepting low settlement offers, advise you on how to protect yourself from predatory insurance practices, and pursue a favorable outcome in your case.  

When a Retail Shift Turns Into a Serious Injury

Working at a busy retail store like Kohl’s is a physically demanding job. Not only are employees often on their feet for hours at a time, but they’re also expected to lift heavy boxes, climb ladders, move racks, and handle interactions with customers.

Even tasks that seem simple on the surface can lead to serious injuries. With that in mind, these are common workplace injuries sustained by Kohl’s employees in the Atlanta area:

• Slips and falls on recently mopped floors
• Back injuries from unloading trucks
• Shoulder injuries from lifting merchandise
• Knee injuries from climbing ladders
• Repetitive stress injuries from scanning and tagging items
• Head injuries from falling inventory

Retail workers are also at risk of being struck by falling items in storage areas. It’s also not uncommon for employees to suffer from injuries during Black Friday or holiday rushes when stores are overcrowded and hectic.

Under Georgia state laws, employers with three or more employees are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. That means if you were hurt while performing your job duties, you are likely entitled to benefits. An Atlanta personal injury lawyer can help you obtain them.

Understanding Georgia Workers’ Compensation Laws

Georgia’s workers’ compensation system is designed to provide medical care and wage benefits to employees who are injured on the job. The system is overseen by the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation.

Here’s what injured Kohl’s employees in Atlanta should know:

• You generally must report your injury within 30 days.
• You may qualify for medical treatment paid for by workers’ comp.
• You may receive weekly income benefits if you cannot work.
• You do not have to prove your employer did anything wrong.

However, just because the system exists to help workers does not mean the process is simple. Insurance companies often look for reasons to minimize payouts, like questioning whether your injury really happened at work.

They might also try to argue that your conditions were pre-existing. They may try to rush you back to work before you are ready, but knowing your rights in Georgia is important.

What Benefits Are Available After a Kohl’s Work Injury?

If your workers’ compensation claim is approved, you could be entitled to several types of benefits.

Medical Treatment

Workers’ compensation covers authorized medical care related to your workplace injury, which may include:

• Emergency room visits
• Doctor appointments
• Surgery
• Physical therapy
• Prescription medications
• Medical devices

In Georgia, your employer must provide you with a panel of approved physicians. You’ll need to choose a doctor from that list unless you’re facing an emergency situation.

Temporary Total Disability Benefits

If you cannot work at all because of your injury, you can receive weekly wage benefits. In Georgia, these benefits typically amount to two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a state maximum. These payments usually begin after you have missed seven days of work.

Temporary Partial Disability Benefits

If you can return to work but you’ll end up earning less than you did before getting hurt, you can pursue partial wage benefits to help make up the difference.

Permanent Partial Disability Benefits

If your injury results in a lasting impairment, you might be able to receive additional compensation based on a disability rating. This rating will be assigned to you by your doctor.  

Injuries That Develop Over Time Still Count

Not every injury sustained by employees at Kohl’s happens as a result of a singular dramatic moment. For instance, many retail workers who get hurt develop injuries over time:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome from scanning items
• Tendonitis from repetitive folding and tagging
• Chronic back pain from years of lifting

Under Georgia state laws, those who have repetitive stress injuries can still qualify for workers’ compensation. However, these claims are often more heavily scrutinized by insurance companies.

For instance, they might try to argue that your injury didn’t happen at work. It’s also common for them to claim that the pain you’re feeling is a normal part of aging.

As you can see, this is why thorough documentation and medical records are so important. If your body is breaking down as a result of doing your job, you deserve to be respected, and your Atlanta Kohl’s workers’ compensation attorney can protect you from insurers like this.

Contact Our Atlanta Kohl’s Workers’ Compensation Law Firm

If you sustained injuries while employed by Kohl’s, an Atlanta Kohl’s workers’ compensation attorney can help you understand your rights. At John Foy & Associates, our lawyers can also appeal any denials on your behalf.

You can lean on us as you pursue the benefits that you are entitled to. Proudly serving clients throughout Georgia for decades, we always treat injured workers with the utmost respect and superior care.

Driven by our commitment to big results and no fees unless we win, we are ready to support you when you need strong legal advocacy more than ever. Call us today for help with your case.