You may receive workers’ compensation benefits in Georgia for up to 400 weeks. However, not everyone receives benefits for this long. Instead, it varies on a case-by-case basis.
An Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyer can review your situation and provide more detailed information about how long you can receive workers’ comp in Georgia.
How Long Will You Receive Workers’ Comp in Georgia?
You may get workers’ comp benefits for up to 400 weeks. Exactly how long you can receive workers’ compensation in Georgia depends on factors like:
- The seriousness of your injury
- How it impacts your ability to work
- Whether or not your injury disables you
In situations where you are permanently disabled because of your injury, you may be able to receive weekly wages for life.
An Atlanta personal injury lawyer can help you get the full benefits you deserve. According to Georgia law, they can protect your rights as an injured worker.
Georgia Employees Are Eligible for Workers’ Compensation
After being injured in a work-related accident in Georgia, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim with your employer. Workers’ compensation benefits cover medical costs and pay a portion of your average weekly wages.
According to the law, all businesses and companies with three or more employees must have workers’ compensation insurance readily available. Not having workers’ compensation can result in harsh penalties for any business.
A workers’ compensation attorney can help you get fair compensation for your losses and answer questions about how long you can receive workers’ comp benefits in Georgia.
How Soon Do You Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
If you cannot work for more than seven days, you may qualify to begin receiving benefits. The first check should be mailed to you within 21 days from the first day you missed work.
When you can return to work, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your benefits will stop. You might have to take on a less demanding job because of your injuries. If this is the case, you will be eligible for reduced benefits for up to 350 weeks, depending on the details.
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How to Make Sure You Receive Your Workers’ Compensation Benefits
You will need to take the correct form of action to begin receiving benefits. After a work injury, you must:
- Report the accident to your supervisor right away. You will not be entitled to any benefits unless you have reported the accident under Ga. Code § 34-9-80.
- Get medical care as soon as possible, making sure you see an authorized physician whose name you get from your employer.
- Follow all instructions for treatment as prescribed by your doctor. If you fail to follow these instructions, you may lose some or all of your benefits.
If your employer says no workers’ compensation is available, contact an experienced workers’ comp lawyer immediately. They will probably carry workers ‘ compensation insurance unless they have less than three regular employees. You may have grounds to pursue legal action against your employer.
Your lawyer can explain workers’ compensation laws in Georgia and support you after a workplace accident.
Benefits Available Through a Workers’ Comp Claim
You may receive various benefits after a job-related injury. Experienced attorneys may help you request funds for your:
Weekly Wages
If you cannot return to work for over seven days because of your work-related injury, you can receive two-thirds of the weekly wages you made before your injury. This amount gets capped at $575 per week.
Depending on the details of your work injury, you may be able to receive wage benefits for up to 400 weeks.
Sometimes, a worker can return to work but at a reduced capacity. You may still be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits if your injury prevents you from working at the same level as before. Workers’ comp may provide these benefits for up to 350 weeks.
Medical Treatment
Workers’ compensation should also cover your medical costs for a work-related injury. You can receive these benefits for as long as you require treatment – until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). MMI is the point at which medical care cannot further improve your condition.
How long can you receive workers’ compensation in Georgia for medical treatment?
The amount of time you can receive medical benefits depends on how long it takes to treat your injuries fully. Workers’ compensation insurance companies may try to reduce how much they pay for your medical benefits, so be wary and contact workers’ compensation if you need help.
Make Sure You See the Right Doctor(s)
Georgia employers providing workers’ compensation must give employees a panel of at least six physicians to choose from for treatment of their injuries, according to Ga. Code § 34-9-201.
It’s crucial that you only see authorized medical professionals for treatment. Otherwise, your employer’s workers’ compensation policy may not cover your medical costs. If you feel your treating physician is biased or not taking your injuries seriously enough, contact a trusted workers’ compensation lawyer right away.
You may also qualify for other benefits, like total temporary disability benefits.
Can You Get Fired on Workers’ Comp?
Georgia is an employment “at-will” state, meaning employers can fire an employee at any time, for any reason, or without cause. This situation can be scary for injured employees, who might worry that their employer will let them go to avoid a workers’ compensation claim.
However, employers are not legally allowed to fire an employee as retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim. While employers can fire employees on workers’ compensation, they cannot get fired simply because they filed a claim or received workers’ compensation.
If this happens to you, you likely have cause for legal action and should reach out to a workers’ comp lawyer.
Receiving Workers’ Compensation Benefits While Unemployed
You can generally continue receiving workers’ compensation benefits even if you lose your job while on them. Most of the time, it’s up to your doctor to dictate when you can return to work and no longer require assistance.
The Statute of Limitations for Workers’ Compensation in Georgia
You generally have one year from the date of your work injury to file a workers’ compensation claim.
According to Ga. Code § 34-9-82, the statute of limitations in a Georgia workers’ compensation case is one year. That means you have only a year to contact a lawyer, prepare your workers’ compensation claim, and file it.
Because evidence and memory fade, though, you shouldn’t wait that long. You should get in touch with a workers’ compensation lawyer in Georgia as soon as you can so you can start getting your compensation ASAP.
Get Help from a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
Even though workers’ compensation claims don’t go to court, that doesn’t mean a lawyer can’t assist you. There have been plenty of cases where the insurance company or the employer refuses to cooperate with the injured employee. One of our workers’ compensation lawyers will assist you in various ways:
- Gathering evidence related to your workplace injury and presenting it.
- Talking to witnesses who saw your accident and getting their statements.
- Helping you find quality medical care that shows the severity of your injury.
- Negotiating for fair compensation from either your employer or the insurance company.
- Providing you with information on all the legal options available for your claim.
Even if it may seem like your employer or the insurance company is on your side, it doesn’t hurt to consult with a lawyer in a free case review. Remember, your lawyer’s goal is to ensure you win the maximum amount possible for your settlement.
Learn how to find a good workers’ compensation lawyer in Atlanta and start your claim today.
Talk to Our Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers for Free
How long can you receive workers’ compensation in Georgia? You may receive these benefits for up to 400 weeks.
Make sure you get the full benefits you deserve after a work injury by contacting John Foy & Associates today.
We’ll start with a free consultation to discuss the details of your case and how we can help. Our law firm can put you first, so reach out for professional help.
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