Workers' Compensation Lawyer in Peachtree Corners

If you are employed in Peachtree Corners, you’re probably covered under a workers’ compensation policy. Most businesses in Georgia must carry this insurance to protect injured workers. That being said, getting the full benefits you deserve is not always easy. Our Peachtree Corners workers’ compensation lawyers will help.

Insurance companies rarely make it easy for claimants to get the full compensation they deserve. This goes for workers’ compensation insurance companies, as well. At John Foy & Associates, we are prepared to deal with the insurance company and protect your legal rights.

We have 20-plus years of experience helping injured workers get the financial recovery they need after a work accident. Our Peachtree Corners personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation to discuss the details of your case and create a plan together for how we can help you. Call today to schedule an appointment.

An Easy Guide to Georgia’s Workers’ Compensation System

Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that provides medical benefits and wage replacement for workers who are injured on the job. In exchange for this, workers cannot sue their employers for compensation.

Workers‘ compensation is a “no–fault“ system. You cannot blame your employer for your injuries, and vice versa. Fault and negligence are not even considered. If the injury happened at work, it should be covered. After reviewing your case, our Peachtree Corners workers’ compensation attorneys will explain in more detail how Georgia’s laws apply to your situation.

Most Workers Are Covered

According to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC), any business with three or more workers is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This includes part-time and seasonal workers as long as they are considered “regular” employees. Therefore, almost all workers in Peachtree Corners are covered by this insurance.

Workers’ compensation benefits are your right. If you are injured at work, you can file a claim for the benefits you’re entitled to receive after a work injury. Things often get more complicated once the insurance company is involved, which is why you should have a workers’ compensation lawyer on your side.

Our Experienced Peachtree Corners Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Work on a Contingency Fee Basis

When you hire our team, you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. There are no upfront costs, hourly fees, or retainer charges. Instead, our payment comes as a fixed percentage of the money we recover for you. The exact percentage will be agreed upon before you begin working with your attorney, so you’ll know all the details upfront.

If we don’t secure compensation, you owe us nothing. This fee setup allows injured workers to get professional legal help without any financial risk. It also ensures that we are fully motivated to fight for the best possible outcome in your claim.

Benefits Available Through Workers’ Compensation

There are a few main benefits that injured workers have access to through workers’ compensation in Peachtree Corners:

• Medical benefits
• Income benefits and
• Rehabilitation

Medical Benefits

Workers’ compensation should usually cover all of your medical costs resulting from your work injury. That includes:

• Doctor bills
• Hospital bills
• Prescription medications
• Physical therapy
• Travel to and from medical appointments

These benefits must be authorized to be eligible for compensation. That means you’ll need to see certain doctors or clinics as authorized through your employer and their workers’ compensation insurance company. According to Georgia Code § 34-9-201, your employer can provide one of these two options for your medical care:

1. A list of at least six physicians, professional associations, or corporations of physicians that are “reasonably accessible” to you
2. The name of a managed care organization that has been certified for medical services through your employer and their workers’ compensation insurance company

Go to an authorized doctor for treatment. Otherwise, your medical costs may not be covered. Our workers’ compensation lawyers in Peachtree Corners will give you more information about how to manage your medical case.

Income Benefits

If your work injuries prevent you from working for at least seven days, you are eligible for income benefits through workers’ compensation. Here’s what you need to know:

• Temporary total disability benefits are equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage (or up to $800 per week).
• You may receive these benefits for up to 400 weeks, although most workers return to work well before that.
• If you can return to work but must earn less because of your injuries, you can receive temporary partial disability benefits. They are equal to two-thirds of the difference between what you were making before the accident and what you’re making after.
• These benefits are tax-free and meant to help supplement your income until you’re well enough to return to work.
• If you suffered a catastrophic injury, you may also be eligible for permanent disability benefits that are ongoing.

There are many issues injured workers run into when seeking income benefits through workers’ compensation. Employers or their insurance companies will sometimes pressure workers into returning to work because they’re fully healed. This would typically mean you stop receiving as many benefits as you’d get from waiting until you’re definitely healed.

Insurance companies might also try to convince injured workers that they aren’t hurt as badly as they claim or don’t need as many benefits as they actually do. If you encounter any trouble, contact a Peachtree Corners workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible.

Rehabilitation

Through workers’ compensation benefits, you may be entitled to both medical and vocational rehabilitation to help you recover and return to work. Medical rehabilitation includes treatments like physical therapy, occupational therapy, or other specialized care designed to restore your health and improve your ability to function after your injury.

Vocational rehabilitation helps if your injury prevents you from returning to your previous job. This may involve job training, career counseling, or assistance in finding new work that fits your abilities. These services are provided to support your recovery and help you get back on your feet as smoothly as possible.

You Cannot Sue Your Employer in Your Workers’ Compensation Claim

With other injury cases, you have a right to sue the at-fault party for damages. However, with workers’ compensation, lawsuits are not an option unless actual criminal activity is involved, such as an employer not carrying workers’ compensation when they should.

Not being able to sue is supposed to protect you, your job, and your employer. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t still struggle to get the benefits you deserve. Our workers’ compensation attorneys in Peachtree Corners will make sure you are being treated fairly.

Important Deadlines for a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Georgia

If you’re injured at work in Georgia, you must follow strict deadlines to protect your right to benefits. You must report your injury to your employer as soon as possible, ideally within 30 days of the accident or when you first notice symptoms. Failing to report on time could result in your claim being denied.

After reporting, you have one year from the date of injury to file a formal workers’ compensation claim with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation. Missing this deadline can prevent you from receiving benefits. Additionally, if you disagree with a decision, you usually have 60 days to request a hearing or appeal.

Talk to a Peachtree Corners Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for Free Today

Workers’ compensation benefits are your right as an employee in Peachtree Corners. If you need help with your case, John Foy & Associates can assist you. Known as The Strong Arm™, we’ve encountered just about every situation in the past 20-plus years of working on workers’ compensation cases, and we’re prepared to fight for your rights.

Schedule a free consultation with us today to discuss your case and how we can improve it. Call us or contact us online to get started with your confidential consultation today.