Sandy Springs Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Accidents happen at work. Some industries such as construction, mining, and transportation are more prone to accidents as compared to others but accidents can happen in any industry and any office.

If you work in Sandy Springs and have been injured at work, you are most likely eligible for workers’ compensation. However, being eligible for workers’ compensation and getting your claim paid are two different things. Our Sandy Springs workers’ compensation lawyers can guide you through the process and help you get the benefits you deserve.

Call our personal injury attorneys at 678-806-7715 for a free consultation today.

Table of Contents

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

Think of it as an insurance system for employees and employers. If an employee gets injured at work, they are entitled to certain benefits that are paid by the company’s insurance provider. It typically covers the cost of medical bills as well as loss of wages until the employee can work again.

The problem with workers’ compensation cases is the tedious application process and denial by the insurance company for unfair reasons. This is why many injured workers take the help of experienced Sandy Springs workers’ compensation lawyers to help them with the process and get the compensation they deserve.

Under Georgia’s Workers’ Compensation law, injured employees are entitled to the following:

  • Medical expenses — All the medical expenses related to the treatment and recovery are covered.
  • Temporary total disability benefit — In case the employee is not able to get back to work, they are eligible for disability benefits.
  • Vocational rehabilitation expenses
  • Expenses related to medical travel
  • Expenses for prescription medications

Here at The Hurt Boss, we have helped many injured workers get fair compensation for their injuries on the job. Call us at 678-806-7715 to schedule a free appointment for discussing the details of your case and to know how we can help you get back on your feet.

What Should I Do If I Am Hurt on the Job?

The most important thing you need to keep in mind is that you will have to prove your claim. This is why you need to take certain steps if you get injured on the job. Here is what you should do:

Inform Your Employer

The first thing you should do is to notify your employer about your injury. As per the Georgia Workers Comp Act, an injured employee has to notify their employer within 30 days of the injury. Even if you have a minor injury, you should inform the employer.

Seek Medical Attention

It is important to immediately seek medical treatment with a licensed doctor even if the injury seems minor at first. Also, follow the instructions given by your physician.

Keep Notes

You need to keep a note of everything including the details of the accident as well as your recovery progression. Winning compensation for your injuries may take a long time and you might need to provide exact details at a later date. Also, take photos and videos of your injury as well as your recovery.

File Workers’ Compensation Claim

You should immediately hire the services of an experienced Sandy Springs workers’ compensation attorney to help you get fair compensation for your injuries.

It is important that you do not talk to the insurance company or make any kind of statement or agree to their first settlement offer before talking to an experienced attorney. Our experienced legal team will help you obtain fair compensation for your injuries.

Sandy Springs workers' compensation lawyer

What Are the Most Common Workplace Accident Injuries?

A variety of injuries can happen at work. Here is a list of some of the most frequent injuries suffered by Sandy Springs workers:

  • Back and neck injuries
  • Construction accidents
  • Hearing loss
  • Amputations
  • Exposure to toxic chemicals and substances
  • Joint pain
  • Fractures
  • Electrocution and shocks
  • Slip and fall
  • Burns
  • Being caught between two objects
  • Accidents that involve machinery

Experienced Sandy Springs workers’ compensation lawyers at The Hurt Boss will work with you to help you win the maximum benefits for your injuries.

Why Should I Hire a Sandy Springs Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?

The workers’ compensation claim is a complicated process and many people are disappointed when their claim is rejected. A lot of documentary evidence needs to be filed and in case the claim is rejected, you might need to file an appeal.

Going through all this on your own while you are recovering from your injuries is not easy. Many injured workers also make the mistake of settling for far less than their eligibility.

Here at The Hurt Boss, we have been dealing with such cases for years. We are aware of the tactics employed by insurance providers to keep the payout to a minimum. We will negotiate, on your behalf, with the insurance company to help you win the maximum possible compensation.

In fact, you might not even know the expenses that should be covered by the insurance company. We have plenty of experience and we will make sure that every expense related to the injury is covered by the insurance company.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Sandy Springs Workers’ Compensation Attorney?

The Hurt Boss operates on a contingency fee basis. It simply means that you do not need to pay anything out of your own pocket for your workers’ compensation claim. You are free to focus on your recovery and do not need to worry about fees.

We will only get paid if we win compensation for you. There is a maximum amount that can be paid to the attorneys and our agreement will be in accordance with the guidelines set by the Georgia State Bar.

Workers' compensation claim in Sandy Springs Georgia

What Responsibility Does the Employee Have in Fighting Filing Workers’ Compensation Claim?

While the Georgia Workers’ Compensation law covers employees for work-related injuries, the employees also have certain responsibilities. Here is a brief list of the employee responsibilities:

  • They must follow the written rules of safety as well as any other reasonable policies and procedures.
  • Any injury/accident must be reported within 30 days of the accident.
  • An employee must accept reasonable medical treatment as well as rehabilitation services.
  • Must prove that injury isn’t a result of their willful misconduct.
  • The employer/insurance carrier must be notified in case of a change of address.
  • Must notify the employer/insurance about the date you will be able to get back to full-time or part-time work.
  • Must attempt a job which has been approved by the authorized physician even when the wage doesn’t match the job they had at the time of injury.
  • The claim must be filed within a year of the date of the last authorized medical treatment or within two years of the last weekly benefits payment.
  • File a request for reimbursement for expenses related to medical care.
  • Should not refuse a drug test without justifiable evidence.

What Responsibility Does the Employer Have in the Workers’ Compensation Process?

Employers also have certain responsibilities in the workers’ compensation process. Here is a brief list of their responsibilities:

  • Every employer in the state of Georgia that employs three or more people needs to have workers’ compensation insurance coverage.
  • A notice must be posted regarding compliance with the law as well as the Bill of Rights.
  • They should also post the panel of authorized physicians in a place that can be seen by all the employees.
  • They have to file the employer’s first report of injury as soon as they become aware of the injury.
  • If an injury leaves an employee unable to work for seven or more days, it should be reported to the State Board within a period of 21 days.

Can I Be Fired for Claiming a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

It is illegal for employers in Georgia to fire a worker for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Filing an insurance claim shouldn’t result in any kind of discrimination or penalty for employees.

Is There a Time Limit to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Sandy Springs, Georgia?

There is a statute of limitations. Ideally, you should file the claim as early as possible. However, an injured employee is required to file a claim within one year of receiving their last authorized medical treatment for the claim to be successful. Also, injured employees have up to two years to file a claim after receiving their last weekly benefits payment.

Can I Sue My Employer?

In the case of a work injury in the state of Georgia, you’re not allowed to sue your employer.

Can an Independent Contractor File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Independent contractors are not allowed to file a workers’ compensation claim in Georgia.

Georgia workers' compensation benefits

What Is My Sandy Springs Workers’ Compensation Claim Worth?

Most people who suffer an injury at work are not aware of the value of their claim. The workers’ compensation claim is designed to meet your medical expenses as well as provide compensation for loss of wages due to injuries suffered at work.

Keep in mind that every case is different which means the compensation is also different in each case. Here is a list of some of the factors covered in a Sandy Springs Workers’ Compensation claim:

  • Medical expenses — All the expenses related to the medical treatment as well as the cost of hospital visits and prescription medications. In short, it covers all the expenses related to the treatment for an injury suffered at work.
  • Rehabilitation expenses – Most injured employees may need rehabilitation after an accident at work. The workers’ compensation should cover the cost of any physical therapy or occupational therapy required by the employee to get back to work after suffering an injury at work.
  • Vocational rehabilitation — An injured employee might need training to learn a new skill as they might not be able to do the job they had. The workers’ compensation should cover the cost of career counseling as well as the placement process.
  • Income loss replacement benefit — There are three different types of income benefits in Georgia.

Injured workers are eligible for temporary total disability benefits in case they are not able to get back to work due to their injury. These benefits are calculated at the rate of two-thirds of the average weekly wage of the employee before the accident and are payable for a maximum of 400 weeks. The maximum weekly amount is $675 and the minimum is $50.

An injured employee is eligible for temporary partial disability benefits in case they are not able to work full hours or have to get back to work in a lower-paying job as a result of their injury.

This compensation is calculated at the rate of two-thirds of the difference between the existing wage and the wage before the injury. These benefits are paid for a maximum of 350 weeks after the accident. The maximum is capped at $450 per week.

An employee becomes eligible for permanent partial disability benefits once they stop receiving TPD or TTD benefits and a permanent partial impairment rating has been assigned by their physician. Different body parts are assigned different ratings.

For instance, an injury to the little finger is eligible for a maximum of 25 weeks whereas a foot injury is eligible for a maximum of 135 weeks. The rate calculation is the same as the temporary total disability benefits with the same statutory maximum.

Call The Hurt Boss Today!

If you have been injured at work in Sandy Springs, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. All the employers in the state with three or more workers are legally required to have workers’ compensation insurance. However, the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim is tedious and time-consuming.

Many such claims are rejected by the insurance company for one reason or another. Here at The Hurt Boss, our attorneys have years of experience in helping injured employees get fair compensation for injuries suffered on the job.

Give us a call at 678-806-7715 to schedule a free appointment for discussing your case.