From the first day you start work in North Druid Hills, you are likely covered by workers’ compensation. If you become injured on the job, you can file a claim for benefits like medical care, weekly income benefits, and more through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. However, the insurance company might not make it easy for you to get the full benefits you need. You might require the services of a good workers’ compensation lawyer in North Druid Hills.
Make sure you are seeking the full compensation you deserve by speaking to one of our experienced and compassionate lawyers at John Foy & Associates. We have been helping injured workers with their workers’ compensation claims for 20 plus years—and we’re not stopping any time soon.
Contact us today and we’ll give you a FREE consultation to get started. We can discuss the details of your case and how we can help you. We also don’t charge a fee unless we win money for you in your case. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get your FREE consultation.
What to Understand About Workers’ Compensation in North Druid Hills
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance employers purchase for their workers. In North Druid Hills and the rest of Georgia, businesses with three or more regular workers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance for all workers. This includes full-time, part-time, and seasonal workers that work on a regular basis.
When a worker gets injured on-the-job, workers’ compensation provides:
- Medical treatment
- Prescription medications
- Temporary total disability benefits (and permanent disability benefits in some situations)
- Reimbursement of travel costs to and from treatment
- Rehabilitation benefits
Even though you’re entitled to these benefits if you’re injured at work, you’ll find to file a claim to show that you were injured and seek compensation. You might also struggle to get the full benefits you deserve.
Like any insurance company, the one providing the workers’ compensation benefits may look for ways to try and reduce what they have to pay you for your medical treatment or how long they have to pay you income benefits while you’re away from work. To legally protect yourself, it’s best that you contact a North Druid Hills workers’ compensation lawyer for help with your claim.
To get a FREE, no-obligation consultation with one of our workers’ compensation lawyers at John Foy & Associates as soon as possible, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online today.
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Your Eligibility for Workers’ Compensation Coverage
Being eligible for workers’ compensation in North Druid Hills is simple. You are covered by these benefits if:
- You are employed by a business that is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance and
- You suffer an injury or illness while at your job
If you cannot work for more than seven days because of your work injury or illness, you’re eligible for weekly income benefits at two-thirds of your average weekly wage. If you’re able to return to work but are earning less because of your injuries, you can receive a reduced weekly benefit.
Unlike other injury claims, you cannot seek compensation for pain and suffering in a workers’ compensation claim. You also cannot sue your employer because it’s a “no-fault” system that does not require you to prove negligence or blame anyone for the injury.
Choosing the Right Doctor for Treatment of Your Work Injuries
It’s also very important that you see an authorized physician when getting treated for injuries that happen at work. According to Georgia Code section 34-9-201, your employer can provide you with one of two options for choosing the doctor you see:
- A Panel of Physicians list with at last six physicians, professional associations, or corporations of physicians “who are reasonably accessible to the employee”
- A managed care organization that a self-insured employer or workers’ compensation insurer has contracted with to provide medical services to injured employees
It’s vital that you see an authorized provider for the treatment of your injuries. Otherwise, you may not be able to get the costs covered through your workers’ compensation policy.
How to File a Claim for Workers’ Compensation Benefits in North Druid Hills
After a work injury, the first thing you should do is notify your employer or a supervisor of your injury. You are required to do this within 30 days of the accident, according to Georgia Code section 34-9-80, but it’s best to report the accident as soon as possible. That way, it’s freshest in your mind and there will be less opportunity for your employer or the insurance company to say that you’re fabricating any part of what happened.
After you report the accident, it’s a good idea to contact a workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as you can. They can protect you from any tactics the insurance company might try to use to get you to accept less compensation than you deserve. A lawyer can also help you file your claim.
You will need to file your workers’ compensation claim in North Druid Hills by:
- Completing a Form WC-14
- Filing the WC-14 form with the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC) and
- Sending a copy of the form to your employer and the insurance company providing your workers’ compensation
You Have One Year to File Your Claim
Although you have 30 days to report your accident, you must file your workers’ compensation claim within one year of the job injury date. If you receive medical treatment or keep working after your injury, the deadline may be extended.
To be safe, it’s best to start working on your case now and contact a workers’ compensation lawyer immediately who can help you stay on track. A year goes quickly when you’re dealing with an injury case.
Get a Free Consultation with a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in North Druid Hills, GA for Free Today
Most injured workers have never had to deal with a workers’ compensation claim before. To make sure you are doing everything in your best interests, talking to an experienced lawyer is highly recommended. At John Foy & Associates, we can provide that lawyer for you, risk-free.
We do not charge a fee unless we win money for you in your case, and the consultation is always FREE. To schedule your FREE, no-risk consultation today, call us at (404) 400-4000 or reach out to us online.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
