Most individuals go to work and do not expect to have an accident that results in an injury. The reality is that job- related accidents and occupational illnesses are not uncommon. If you have been injured on the job and are unable to work, our experienced attorneys can help you obtain workers’ compensation benefits.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Workers’ compensation provides temporary disability benefits while you’re unable to work, payment for medical treatment, and compensation for permanent disability.
- Medical Benefits — Workers compensation pays for proper and necessary medical treatment for work-related injuries or occupational illnesses at no cost to the employee. Medical treatment includes doctor visits, prescriptions, surgery, physical therapy and other treatment needed for you to recover. The state or the employer’s insurance company pays for the treatment.
- Lost Wages — An employee who is unable to work because of a job-related injury or illness is eligible to receive partial compensation for lost wages. These benefits typically amount to two-thirds of the weekly wages depending on the state’s laws.
- Permanent Disability Benefits — Most states compensate workers left with a permanent impairment that results in a total disability or a partial disability, although determinations of monetary awards vary from state to state.
Permanent total disability benefits are provided to workers who will never be able to return to any type of work due to a workplace injury or illness. These benefits are regular monetary payments that are a percentage of the workers’ wages at the time of the injury. A permanent partial disability is a physical impairment that permanently affects one or more parts of the body, but does not prevent an individual from returning to some form of employment. Benefits for these disabilities are awarded in either a lump sum payment or paid over time.
- Death benefits –If a worker is killed on the job or dies from complications of a job-related injury or illness, his or her family members may be entitled to collect benefits.
What should I do if I am injured at work?
If you have been injured at work, you should immediately obtain first-aid or any other necessary medical treatment. You must also notify your employer in writing about the injury as soon as possible. If you fail to do so, you may forfeit your right to workers’ compensation benefits. In order to be eligible for benefits, you must also file a claim with the workers’ compensation board.
Workplace injuries and illnesses can have devastating and long-lasting consequences. If you have been injured at work, you need a highly skilled and compassionate attorney on your side. Not only are workers’ compensation laws complex, your employer or his or her insurance company may try to deny payment of your benefits. Our workers’ compensation attorneys will fight to ensure that you receive the benefits you deserve. Attorneys fees are determined by state law and you will only pay a fee if you win a disability award. Call our office today for a free consultation.
Georgia workers’ compensation resources
Learn more about your rights and options:
Workers’ comp lawyers serving North Georgia
We represent injured workers across the region — see our local pages for Rome, Calhoun, and Canton, or our overview of all the areas we serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Georgia workers’ compensation can cover authorized medical treatment, weekly income benefits (generally two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to the state maximum), mileage to medical appointments, and benefits for permanent impairment. The Delashmit Firm helps injured workers in Cartersville and North Georgia pursue the benefits available under the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act.
In Georgia you should report a work injury to your employer as soon as possible and generally within 30 days. Waiting longer can jeopardize your claim. A workers’ compensation claim with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation generally must be filed within one year of the injury, subject to exceptions.
A denial is not the end of your claim. You can request a hearing before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation. The Delashmit Firm reviews the denial reason, gathers medical and wage evidence, and represents injured workers at hearings. Call (770) 341-0559 for a free consultation.
Usually you must treat with an authorized physician from your employer’s posted panel of physicians. There are limited circumstances that allow a one-time change of physician or treatment outside the panel. We can review your panel and help you protect your right to proper medical care.