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 can help.
Insurance companies rarely make it easy for claimants to get the full compensation they deserve. This goes for workers’ comp 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. We’ll give you a FREE consultation to discuss the details of your case and create a plan together for how we can help you. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started with your FREE consultation.
How Workers’ Compensation Claims Work in Peachtree Corners
Workers’ compensation, also known as workers’ comp, 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.
There are two main purposes of how workers’ comp is set up:
- To ensure injured workers have access to the benefits mentioned above
- To protect employers from lengthy and expensive lawsuits
Workers’ comp is a “no-fault” system. You cannot blame your employer for your injuries, and vise versa. Fault and negligence are not even considered. If the injury happened at work, it should be covered.
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’ comp insurance. This includes part-time and seasonal workers as long as they are considered “regular” employees. So, 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 it’s so beneficial to have a workers’ compensation lawyer on your side.
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:
- A list of at least six physicians, professional associations, or corporations of physicians that are “reasonably accessible” to you
- The name of a managed care organization that has been certified for medical services through your employer and their workers’ compensation insurance company
It’s very important that you go to an authorized doctor, for treatment. Otherwise, your medical costs may not be covered.
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 $675 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’ comp. 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 the workers’ comp, you may also be entitled to medical and vocational rehabilitation.
Peachtree Corners Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Near Me 404-400-4000
You Cannot Sue Your Employer in Your Workers’ Comp 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. A workers’ compensation lawyer can make sure you are being treated fairly and know all of your rights as you navigate the workers’ comp system.
Talk to a Peachtree Corners Workers Compensation Lawyer for Free Today
Workers’ comp benefits are your right as an employee in Peachtree Corners. If you need help with your case, John Foy & Associates can assist you. We’ve encountered just about every situation in the past 20 plus years of working on workers’ comp 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 (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started with your FREE consultation today.
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