Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Riverdale

If you’ve been injured at work, you shouldn’t have to pay for it. A Riverdale personal injury lawyer can help you file for workers’ compensation.

Insurance companies often look for ways to reduce injury payouts, even for workers’ compensation claims. But you don’t have to negotiate with them on your own.

The team at John Foy & Associates has over 350 years of combined legal experience. If you’ve sustained an injury at work, a workers’ compensation lawyer in Riverdale can help you pursue the benefits you are entitled to.

Why Do I Need a Riverdale Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?

If you’ve been injured on the job, a Riverdale workers’ compensation lawyer can:

• Deal with the insurance company: Workers’ comp insurers often try to reduce or deny benefits. Your lawyer can fight to secure the full amount you’re owed.
• Calculate your benefits: Many workers don’t realize they qualify for multiple forms of compensation. An attorney can calculate your benefits so you don’t leave money on the table.
• Manage the claims process: From filing the correct forms to meeting strict deadlines, a lawyer can manage every step of the claims process to help you avoid costly mistakes.
• Represent you: If your claim is denied or disputed, an attorney can present your case before the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation and fight for the benefits you deserve.

How Much Does a Riverdale Workers’ Compensation Attorney Cost?

The workers’ comp attorneys at John Foy & Associates operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that we won‘t charge you up front for any of our services. Rather, your attorney will receive a prearranged percentage of your settlement. If we can’t win compensation for you, you owe us absolutely nothing in return.

When you work with John Foy & Associates, there are no hidden costs, and we will keep you involved in our work to show you what we do on your behalf. While you rest and recover from your work injury, allow us to fight for your benefits.

How Much Is My Georgia Workers’ Compensation Claim Worth?

The value of your claim depends on several factors, including:

• Your average weekly wage: Georgia workers’ comp pays two-thirds of your average weekly salary (up to a state maximum).
• The extent of your disability: Temporary and permanent disability benefits vary in duration and value.
• Medical expenses: All necessary and authorized medical treatment related to your injury should be covered.

A Riverdale workers’ compensation attorney can provide a realistic estimate after reviewing your medical records and employment history.

Types of Workers’ Comp Benefits in Georgia

Georgia workers’ compensation law provides several types of benefits, including:

• Medical benefits: You receive payment for authorized treatment related to your injury, including doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, therapy, and necessary medical equipment.
• Temporary total disability (TTD): You receive two-thirds of your average weekly wage (up to the state maximum) if you cannot work at all during your recovery.
• Temporary partial disability (TPD): You receive two-thirds of the difference between your pre-injury and post-injury wages if you return to work at reduced hours or pay.
• Permanent partial disability (PPD): You receive compensation for lasting impairments based on a doctor’s impairment rating and Georgia’s schedule of benefits.
• Permanent total disability: You receive long-term wage benefits if your injury permanently prevents you from working.
• Vocational rehabilitation services: You receive coverage for job retraining or education if your injury keeps you from returning to your previous work.
• Death benefits: A worker’s dependents can receive weekly payments and funeral expense coverage if the worker dies from a job-related injury or illness.

A workers’ comp attorney in Riverdale can calculate your losses and make sure you receive the benefits you’re entitled to.

Damages You Can’t Claim Under Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation is meant to protect employees. However, it still has its limitations. One of the biggest is that most non-economic damages won’t get covered, such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and emotional trauma
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life

There are some exceptions if you can manage to tie these damages back to your physical injuries. However, most claimants only get their medical expenses and lost pay covered. Anything more will require more time and strong evidence.

What Is the Deadline for Filing for a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Georgia?

To file for workers’ comp in Georgia, you must report your injury to your employer within 30 days of the accident and file a claim with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation within one year of the injury.

If you miss either deadline, you may forfeit your right to seek benefits, so it’s critical to act quickly. A Riverdale personal injury attorney can help make sure you file your paperwork on time.

Suing Your Employer Is Not an Option

In exchange for coverage, no matter how the injury at work happened, you cannot blame or sue your employer for your damages. You also cannot claim pain and suffering damages in a workers’ compensation claim.

Workers’ compensation is specifically set up to ensure injured workers get access to benefits and avoid lengthy and expensive lawsuits.

You won’t be interacting with your employer much at all after you file your workers’ compensation claim. The claim will be handled by you, your lawyer, and the insurance company that provides workers’ compensation benefits.

Which Injuries Qualify You for Workers’ Comp?

Workers’ compensation in Georgia can cover injuries such as:

• Broken bones
• Severe burns
• Amputations
• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Torn ligaments or tendons
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Chronic back or neck pain
• Hearing loss
• Respiratory illnesses from workplace exposure

How to File Your Workers’ Compensation Claim After a Work Injury in Riverdale

If you’re injured while on the job in Riverdale, you’ll need to file a workers’ compensation claim to pursue benefits. But before you do that, you should give notice of your work accident to your employer or a supervisor.

According to Georgia law, you must do this within 30 days of your accident to receive benefits, but we urge you to report the injury as soon as possible.

To file your claim, you’ll need to:

• Complete a Form WC-14
• File the form with the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC)
• Send a copy of the form to your employer and the insurance company that provides benefits

If you need help filing your claim or obtaining benefits, a workers’ comp lawyer can help.

Workers’ Compensation Claims Can Be Rejected

All employers in Georgia with three or more regular workers must carry coverage. Therefore, if you live in Riverdale and are employed, you most likely have workers’ compensation insurance through your employer.

However, getting the full benefits you deserve after a work injury is not always easy, and workers’ compensation claims can get rejected for many reasons.

What’s more, even if your claim doesn’t get rejected, the insurance company may downplay your injuries and offer you a low settlement for your damages. An attorney can fight for your right to fair compensation.

Contact a Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Riverdale

At John Foy & Associates, we are dedicated to getting injured workers the benefits they’re entitled to. As one of the largest and most respected personal injury law firms in Riverdale, we know what it takes to win these types of cases.

Get The Strong Arm™. We’ll give you a free consultation to discuss the details, and there is no fee unless you win your case.

Call or contact us online to speak with a workers’ compensation attorney in Riverdale today.