There is always a risk of injury at work. Of course, some positions are more prone to a workplace accident than others, such as a job where one operates heavy machinery. Georgia workers who are injured on the job may be entitled to certain benefits under the workers’ compensation laws in Georgia.
At The Delashmit Firm, workers’ compensation attorney Hunter Delashmit will guide you through the process. Contact us today at (404) 312-7797 to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how you can obtain optimal protection for an injury you suffered while working.
Workplace Accidents in Georgia
Workplace accidents involve unexpected incidents that result in an employee sustaining an injury or illness in the course of performing their job. Whether workers’ compensation benefits are available turns on the specific facts of a case. If you’ve been injured during the course of your work, you should speak to a Georgia workers’ compensation attorney to find out if you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
Common Workplace Accidents in Georgia
Common workplace accidents include:
- Falls, trips, or slips
- Vehicle-related accidents
- Machinery-related accidents
- Falling objects
- Explosions or fire
- Electric shocks or electrocution
- Exposure to hazardous materials
- Overexertion
- Repetitive stress
The injuries caused by these mechanisms can range from temporary, minor ailments to severe, long-term conditions.
Common Workplace Injuries in Georgia
Examples of common workplace injuries include:
- Sprains
- Broken bones or fractures
- Head, neck, and back injuries
- Crushed limbs
- Burns
- Cuts
- Carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive stress injuries
Occupations with the Most Job-Related Injuries and Illnesses
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) keeps track of employer-related workplace injuries and illnesses. Below is a list of occupations that routinely have high rates of workplace injuries.
- Nursing assistants
- Heavy truck and tractor-trailer truck drivers
- Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers
- Light truck drivers
- Construction laborers
- Maintenance and repair workers
- Stockers and order fillers
- Janitors and cleaners
- Registered nurses
- Retail salespersons
What Differences are There Between a Workers’ Compensation claim and a Personal Injury Claim in Georgia?
With workers’ compensation, it doesn’t matter who is at fault as long as the injury occurred as a result of a workplace accident. By way of comparison, a plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit must prove negligence on behalf of the defendant to succeed. While harder to establish, a personal injury claimant may receive compensation for the pain and suffering that they have endured, which is not a remedy available in a workers’ compensation claim. The benefits available to a workers’ compensation claimant in Georgia are limited.
What Benefits Can I Receive for a Workplace Injury in Georgia?
- Indemnity Benefits (Lost Wages)
- Temporary Total Disability – (owed when the injured worker is 100% out of work)
- Temporary Partial Disability benefits – (owed when the injured worker is working, but is earning less than the injured worker’s average weekly wage)
- Medical treatment
- Permanent Partial Disability (compensation for the literal impairment to the injured worker’s body)
- Death Benefits
As mentioned above, you cannot recover damages for pain and suffering through a workers’ compensation claim.
What Should You Do After a Workplace Injury in Georgia?
What to do after a workplace injury in Georgia depends on the circumstances, but generally, you should:
- Report the accident and/or injury or illness immediately to a supervisor
- If the injury or illness requires it, you should seek immediate medical attention
- Follow any doctor’s orders or medical care plan – if you do not, then this creates vulnerabilities and may result in a denial of a claim.
- Keep any evidence you may have, like names of eye witnesses, statements, pictures, video, etc. – in fact, if the circumstances allow it, take your own pictures of the scene of the accident, the injuries you sustained, and any other details that may be important.
- Contact legal counsel as soon as possible – you may not think you need a workers’ comp attorney, but it never hurts to speak to one. Workers’ compensation attorney Hunter Delashmit is happy to discuss your case with you even if it does not end up resulting in representation.
Contact a Workplace Injury Attorney in Georgia Today
At The Delashmit Firm, workers’ compensation attorney Hunter Delashmit will help you identify your options and advise you accordingly. Call us today at (404) 312-7797 to schedule a consultation.