Atlanta Work Injury Attorney
If you have had a workplace injury, figuring out how to navigate the workers’ compensation system in Atlanta, Georgia, can be tricky. If you were hurt at work, you may be entitled to medical benefits and payments during your recovery. An Atlanta work injury lawyer can help you through the process in order to fully represent your financial interests.
Is There Any Deadline for Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Atlanta, Georgia?
Yes, in Atlanta, you have a deadline to file a claim, which is one year from the date of your accident. If you received medical treatment, you have one year from the date of the last medical treatment you received that was paid for by an insurance company and two years from the date you may have received a workers’ compensation check.
You only have thirty days to report your workplace injury to your place of employment. However, there are some ways to satisfy the reporting requirement, and a knowledgeable Atlanta work lawyer can discuss claim filing and reporting deadlines with you.
What Are the Types of Available Benefits for a Workers’ Comp Claim?
With this type of injury claim, you might be eligible for recovery of:
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy
- A weekly paycheck
- Disability benefits
A local attorney can help discuss the full recovery you may be entitled to and protect your rights to a full recovery.
How Do I File My Workers’ Compensation Case in Atlanta?
At the start, you must report to your employer that you were hurt at work. You have only thirty days to report, and telling a supervisor or a colleague can satisfy this requirement, so long as they contact your supervisor.
An attorney can advise you about the issues with giving a recorded statement or signing any papers your workplace might present to you. Please note that by law, you cannot be required to give your employer or an insurance company any recorded statement about your accident. Any recorded statement can typically be used in a negative way against you and your recovery.
Can Seeing a Doctor Improve My Chances for a Maximum Compensation?
Ignoring any doctor’s advice or missing any scheduled appointments for medical care can sometimes compromise your options for maximum and fair recovery in your case for workers’ compensation recovery. Your attorney can address your pain and suffering by showing you always attended any recommended treatment appointments.
Can Gathering My Medical Records Help My Claim?
Yes, gathering and keeping copies of your accident-related medical treatments can help document and prove your treatment was related to your workplace injury. Plan to keep copies of all prescriptions you fill and keep bottles for any medications you are prescribed.
Your records can help prove the extent of your necessary treatment and also show you weren’t exaggerating any injuries or pain. Plus, you will have a total of anything you paid towards your medical expenses, which can help with your claim reimbursement.
Should I Disclose Any Medical Conditions that Are Pre-Existing?
Ensure you disclose any pre-existing medical conditions in your medical history with your providers for your workplace accident injuries.
Sometimes, people hide information fraudulently because their injuries were not related to the workplace accident. If you fail to disclose any prior conditions and this failure is discovered, it can negatively affect your claim.
An Atlanta work injury attorney can help you navigate the workers’ compensation complex system. They can assist with obtaining maximum financial recovery for your claim following a workplace injury.
FAQs
A: In Georgia, you cannot usually sue your work for pain and suffering if you qualify for workers’ compensation. However, you might have a claim for a personal injury against a third party if they were legally responsible for your incurred injuries. If so, after the accident, you can request damages for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages that workers’ comp doesn’t cover within two years. You might discuss a claim against your workplace for gross negligence with an attorney.
A: In Atlanta, the time it takes to settle a workers’ compensation case can range widely and will depend on factors such as:
- The case complexity
- How many parties are involved
- The timing of legal filings
- The language agreed upon by the parties
- Any necessity for resolving any issues with the court
An experienced Atlanta work injury attorney can estimate the time frame for your specific case and answer any questions you might have.
A: In Georgia many attorneys work for a contingency fee, which means you will not pay anything unless they win your case and you receive financial damages, and then the attorney usually takes a percentage of payment from the settlement or trial verdict.
By law in Georgia, workers’ comp attorneys can keep a maximum of 25% of the settlement or weekly benefits awarded to the client. An attorney can address their fees with you before you sign any written retainer agreement.
A: A: The maximum workers’ comp claim recovery in Georgia allows for financial and healthcare assistance for injuries incurred at work with a maximum weekly benefit amount of $800 for temporary total disability and $533 for temporary partial disability, as of July 1, 2023. The amounts are based on pre-injury wage and Georgia’s state caps.
A catastrophic injury might qualify you for lifetime benefits. Assistance from a lawyer is important to protect your rights and ensure your workers’ comp claim is accurate.
Hire an Atlanta, GA, Work Injury Attorney for Your Workers’ Compensation Claims
Regardless of the type of injury or workers’ comp claim you may have, Stephen LaBriola can help you or a loved one with your recovery. Contact his office as soon as possible to set up a free consultation to have an attorney you trust by your side as you navigate the workers’ comp process.