Do Restaurants Have Workers’ Compensation in Georgia?

If you work at a restaurant in Georgia and get injured on the job, you can request workers’ compensation. Restaurant employees are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits in Georgia, including serving staff, cooks, and bartenders. With help from a Georgia workers’ compensation lawyer, you can get the money you need to recover from your injury fully. 

At John Foy & Associates, we help restaurant employees seek compensation after on-the-job accidents and injuries. To learn more, reach out to our law firm. We can connect you with a Georgia workers’ compensation attorney who can review your case right away.

When a Georgia Restaurant Employee Can Ask for Workers’ Compensation Benefits  

Restaurants represented the second-largest private sector employer in the United States prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the National Restaurant Association. At this time, there were approximately 15.4 million jobs in the restaurant sector. As of May 2023, the number of jobs available in the restaurant sector was approaching its pre-pandemic level. 

There are many on-the-job hazards that restaurant workers face, including:

• Drinks that spill on the floor that increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls
• Hot plates that can cause burns
• Heavy trays that need to be carried from point A to point B that can cause back and neck injuries
• Exposure to cleaning chemicals that can cause a restaurant worker to become ill
• Knives and other sharp objects that are required for food preparation that can cause cuts

If a Georgia restaurant employee suffers an injury for any of these reasons or many others, they can request workers’ compensation. The employee has up to 30 days to notify their employer about the injury. In addition, the worker has up to one year to request workers’ compensation through the State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC). 

There Is No Guarantee You Will Get Workers’ Compensation Due to a Restaurant Work Injury in Georgia

After you request workers’ compensation, SBWC gives your employer up to 21 days to file a report. Your employer and their insurance carrier will review your request for workers’ compensation benefits. They may come up with a plan to avoid paying you the benefits you deserve. 

If your employer disputes your workers’ compensation request, you may be forced to go through an uphill battle to get benefits for your on-the-job injury. At the same time, you are still forced to pay the treatment costs for your injury on your own. This can put you in a serious financial bind, particularly if your injury forces you to miss work. 

John Foy & Associates has a team in place to help you with a restaurant workers’ compensation claim. For more information, get in touch with us. A workers’ compensation lawyer in Georgia from our team can review your claim and help you figure out the best way to show your employer should pay for any losses you incur due to your on-the-job injury. 

There Are Many Losses You May Be Forced to Deal with Due to a Georgia Restaurant Work Injury

A Georgia restaurant work injury can take months or years to heal. Depending on the severity of your on-the-job injury, you may never fully recover from it. In this instance, you may be forced to deal with a permanent disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working altogether.  

After you suffer a restaurant work injury, your medical bills can escalate. On top of these, you may lose money due to the fact that you cannot work in the same way you did prior to your injury. As your medical expenses and wage losses add up, it can become nearly impossible to keep your debtors at bay. 

A workers’ compensation attorney in Georgia can work with you to resolve your case as quickly as possible. The best attorney for workers’ comp cases has helped their clients secure thousands of dollars in settlements. When you have this lawyer at your side in your workers’ compensation case, you are in a great position to get the money you deserve in as little time as possible.   

You May Be Able to Settle Your Georgia Restaurant Workers’ Compensation Case Before a Hearing

Thanks to a workers’ compensation attorney, you are well-equipped to settle your claim with your employer. Your attorney can negotiate with your employer and try to come to terms with a settlement agreement. If you reach a settlement, you get the money you request, and you do not need to attend a hearing. 

In a negotiation, your employer will attempt to get you to settle for a lowball offer. Your attorney will present any settlement offer that they receive, and you have the opportunity to review the proposal with them. At this point, you and your attorney can determine if it is in your best interests to approve a settlement. 

You should only accept a settlement if it lines up with your best interests. Otherwise, you should not hesitate to decline a settlement proposal. If you reject a settlement, you and your attorney can continue to negotiate in the hopes of reaching an agreement before a hearing. 

A Workers’ Compensation Attorney Helps You Prepare for Your Hearing

Your workers’ compensation lawyer offers many resources to help you get ready for your hearing. They may give you insights into any questions you are likely to receive during your hearing. Also, your attorney can answer any hearing questions you have. 

Leading up to your hearing, your lawyer will help you gather and review evidence. You may provide copies of medical bills and other documents to show you were injured on the job at a Georgia restaurant. If a coworker saw you suffer your work injury, they may be able to provide testimony to support your claim. 

A hearing can be daunting, but your attorney is available to help you every step of the way. If you present a compelling case during your hearing, you should expect a favorable ruling. In this scenario, you will get compensation to help you recover from your work injury. 

Hire a Georgia Workers’ Compensation Attorney

John Foy & Associates can help you file a workers’ compensation claim following a restaurant work injury and much more. To request a free consultation, please contact us today.