If you have a job in Macon, you’re most likely covered by workers compensation insurance. Workers compensation applies to all kinds of workers, regardless of what kind of job you have or how much money you make.
Unfortunately, If you’ve been injured at work, you may have a hard time collecting the workers compensation benefits you’re legally entitled to. Insurance companies make a bigger profit when they don’t pay out a lot of claims, so the insurance company may question the extent of your injuries, dispute the facts about how and where your injury occurred, or send you to a doctor who isn’t truly interested in helping you recover. Don’t go without the benefits you deserve. If you or a family member was injured at work, you should talk to a Macon workers compensation lawyer right away.
John Foy & Associates has been advocating for injured workers for more than two decades. In that time, we have helped thousands of people get the workers compensation benefits they’re legally entitled to. We know how the system and the insurance companies work, and we are committed to getting you a full recovery. We will sit down with you for a free consultation to talk about your case. Call us at (404) 400-4000 and get your free consultation today.
What is workers compensation?
Workers compensation is designed to protect employees who are injured while at work. The purpose of workers comp is to:
- Make sure workers have access to medical care and financial support after an on the job injury
- Compensate employees without forcing them to file slow, expensive lawsuits
Legally, all employers must have a workers compensation insurance policy. If you suffer a workplace injury, the insurance policy covers the financial costs of your injuries.
There are two things to keep in mind about workers compensation:
- Workers comp isn’t a handout from the government or your employer. Your employer pays most of the cost of workers comp insurance by deducting money from your paycheck each month.
- If you were injured on the job, you have a right to workers comp. It does not matter how your injury happened or whose fault it was.
What does workers compensation pay for in Macon?
Workers comp should pay all your costs related to your injury. This includes paying you for the time you had to be off work. For most types of injuries, workers can expect to receive money for:
- Medical expenses such as doctors, hospitals and tests
- Prescription drugs
- Occupational or physical therapy
- Vocational training, if you need it to return to work
- Travel expenses at 40 cents for every mile you must drive to get to and from healthcare providers
- A continued paycheck for as long as you are out of work. This paycheck will probably be smaller than your usual check, but you won’t pay taxes on it.
If your injury is permanent or you are left with a disability, you are eligible for additional money. If you lost a loved one in a workplace accident, you are also eligible for benefits. We don’t believe that money can ever compensate for these devastating losses, but it can mean that you won’t also have to deal with the stress of a lost paycheck while your medical bills pile up.
Macon Workers Compensation Lawyer Near Me 404-400-4000
What injuries are covered by workers comp in Macon?
If it happens at work, it’s covered by workers comp. Period. This means that:
- It doesn’t matter whose fault it is
- It doesn’t matter how the injury happened
- It doesn’t matter whether the injury was directly related to your job duties. For example, you’re covered if you slipped on a wet floor.
- You don’t have to blame anyone or prove who caused the accident
The construction industry produces more than its share of workers comp claims. If you work in construction, you may fall, be hit by falling debris, become wedged between pieces of equipment, or suffer an electrical shock. But workers in any business or industry can get hurt on the job. We have seen claims from office workers, restaurant employees, delivery drivers and workers in many other occupations.
Are there injures that workers comp won’t cover?
Workers comp was specifically created for workplace injuries, so if your injury didn’t happen at your place of employment, it usually won’t be covered. However, there are exceptions, and you may still be eligible for workers comp if you were hurt while you were:
- Traveling for work
- Driving a company car or truck
- Running an errand for your job
- Attending a work-related meeting at another location
- Working remotely
If you were injured while traveling to or from work, your injuries are probably not covered by workers comp. But your injury may be covered if it occurred on your employer’s parking lot or sidewalk.
For a free legal consultation with a workers compensation lawyer serving Macon, call 404-400-4000
Can I recover money for mental health issues under workers compensation?
Sometimes. Workers comp pays for all the effects of physical injuries. Therefore, if you were physically hurt and suffer emotional trauma as a result, workers comp should pay for your physical and mental health treatment. But workers comp does not pay for emotional injuries that don’t also have a physical component. So if you suffered emotional trauma because you witnessed a tragic accident, you would not be covered under workers comp.
Will I have to sue my boss to win my workers compensation claim?
No. Workers compensation in Macon-Bibb County completely replaces the ordinary system of lawsuits for workplace injuries. This means that you cannot sue your employer. This rule has several advantages for injured workers:
- Workers compensation can be resolved much more quickly than a lawsuit
- Workers compensation is more predictable and reliable than taking your chances at court
- You never have to go against your boss or claim your employer was at fault
We frequently talk to injured workers who worry that their employer will be upset or retaliate against them if they make a workers compensation claim. In fact, the employer’s reaction is usually just the opposite: they have to carry workers compensation coverage, and they’re glad the insurance is available to help you get back on your feet. It’s the insurance company that’s more likely to try to avoid paying your claim. This is why it’s important to get a lawyer to help you with your workers’ compensation claim.
Talk to a Macon Workers Compensation Lawyer for Free
If you’ve been injured on the job, you have a right to workers comp benefits. At John Foy & Associates, we want to make sure you get the money you’re entitled to, no matter what the insurance company says. We offer a free consultation where we’ll discuss your case and help you decide what to do. Call us at (404) 400-4000 or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.
Call or text 404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form