Most workers in Locust Grove are covered by workers’ compensation insurance from their first day of work. That means, if you are injured at work, you should be eligible for benefits like medical care and weekly income as you recover. However, a lot of workers still struggle to get the benefits they should after a work injury. If you have questions about your claim, contact a Locust Grove workers’ compensation lawyer today.
Our workers’ compensation lawyers at John Foy & Associates have been helping injured workers get the benefits they deserve for more than 20 years. We’ll help you through every step of your claim, from filing it to negotiating with the insurance company for your full benefits. Call us today at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online and we’ll get started by giving you a FREE consultation.
What to Understand About Workers’ Compensation in Locust Grove
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance employers must carry to protect injured workers. When someone gets hurt at work, they can file a workers’ compensation claim for benefits. Those benefits include:
- Medical benefits to cover all necessary medical treatment resulting from your work injury or illness (Georgia Code § 34-9-200). Most medical benefits are limited to 400 weeks unless they are catastrophic.
- Rehabilitation support to help you adjust if your injuries affect your ability to work as you could before.
- Supplemental income if you are away from work for over seven days because of your work injury or illness. Weekly income benefits are paid at two-thirds of your regular earnings (up to $675 per week and for no more than 400 weeks).
To seek these benefits after a work accident, you will need to report the accident to your employer and file a workers’ compensation claim.
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Six Common Reasons Workers’ Compensation Claims Get Denied
Unfortunately, too many workers find their workers’ compensation claims get denied. There are a number of reasons this might happen. Here are some of the most common situations we see and how you might be able to avoid them.
1. Your Injury Wasn’t Reported Soon Enough
In Georgia, an injured employee or their representative should report the injury to their employer immediately (Georgia Code § 34-9-80). Until this notice of the accident is given, the employee is not entitled to compensation. If you wait more than 30 days to report the accident, you will likely lose your workers’ compensation benefits.
To make sure you don’t miss your chance at benefits, always report the accident immediately after. Otherwise, the insurance company providing the workers’ compensation benefits will probably not approve your claim.
2. The Accident Report does Not Match Your Medical Records
It’s common for workers’ compensation claims to get denied if reports from your employer and your doctor do not match up. It’s important to be accurate and consistent when reporting the details of your accident to your employer, supervisor, coworkers, and healthcare providers.
If certain details are not the same, the insurance company might think you are not being truthful about some aspects of your accident. They have the right to look over your medical history, including your records, after your file your claim. Your claim can also get denied if you refuse to sign certain paperwork releasing your records to the insurance adjuster.
3. Your Claim Was Filed After You Were Laid Off
If an employee delays filing their workers’ compensation claim and they get fired or laid off before they actually file it, this can present a problem. The insurance company is likely to deny the claim, as they typically see claims filed after a layoff as a revenge claim rather than a legitimate injury claim.
If your employer fires you soon after your work injury, it’s best to contact a Locust Grove workers’ compensation right away.
4. No One Saw Your Accident
Insurance companies are more likely to question work accidents that did not have any witnesses. They might try to say that you made up the accident or don’t have enough evidence to back up the claim.
Of course, if no one saw your work accident happen, that’s not anything you can help. The best thing you can do is report the accident to your supervisor right away and make sure each account you give of the injury is the same. Then, contact a workers’ compensation lawyer who can help you gather the strongest evidence possible of your work injury.
5. Illegal Drugs or Alcohol Were Involved
If your work injury happened while you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, your workers’ compensation claim will probably be denied. An employer is typically not responsible for injuries that happen while someone is engaging in illegal activity at work.
6. The Injury did Not Happen at Work
Although any injury that happens at work should be covered under workers’ compensation, there are questionable areas. If your injury did not actually happen at work, your claim will be denied. If your accident happened outside of work but while performing duties for your job, you are probably still eligible but the insurance company might try to use that fact to deny your claim.
If your injury did not happen on your work’s premises, you’ll need to show that you were still performing duties related to your job. For example, maybe you were attending an off-site work meeting or traveling for your job. Call your workers’ compensation lawyer in Locust Grove for help presenting the best evidence of this.
Talk to a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Locust Grove for Free
Workers’ compensation claims can be frustrating and complicated. John Foy & Associates is here to make the process easier. We have been helping injured workers get the benefits they’re entitled to for over 20 years—and we can help you, too.
Let us give you a FREE consultation to discuss the details of your case and how we can help. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started. If you decide to work with us there is no fee unless we win you money.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
