It doesn’t matter if you work in a chaotic construction site or an office building. If you are hurt at work, you will be covered by workers’ compensation. Unlike the health insurance you purchase as part of your benefits for working for your employer, workers’ comp benefits are granted to you from the first day of your employment.
Workers’ compensation is required for most employers with few exceptions. Whether you are full or part-time, or if you accidentally injured yourself, you will still be covered by these benefits.
What Qualifies a Georgia Worker for Workers’ Comp Benefits?
If your employer has three or more employees that are full-time, part-time, or even seasonal, they must provide this coverage unless it is a railroad or U.S. government agency. This means that most people work for an employer who has to abide by these federal requirements.
You can receive workers’ compensation benefits for injuries you sustain while performing duties that are within the course and scope of your job. These injuries can be caused by a workplace accident or they can develop over the course of time through repeated actions.
For example, if you work in construction and fall off scaffolding while performing your job duties, you could file a workers’ comp claim for this workplace accident. If you work in an office and become injured due to a repetitive stress injury, you can also file for these benefits. Workers’ comp also provides benefits to those who develop an illness from exposure at their places of work.
What Do You Get from Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Georgia?
If you suffer an illness or an injury from a work-related accident, you are entitled to receive benefits for workers’ comp in Georgia. Here is a look at what is covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance:
Medical Benefits
Your employer’s coverage should cover the full value of the medical expenses incurred from your workplace accident. Visits to the doctor’s office, hospital stays, medications, surgeries, and physical therapy are just a few examples of medical benefits that should be covered by workers’ comp in Georgia.
You must visit physicians that are authorized by your employer to have these medical costs covered. Your employer needs to provide you with this list when you file your workers’ compensation claim. If you see a doctor that is not on your employer’s list, you may not be covered for the expenses. If your injuries are urgent or life-threatening, you will be covered by going to the nearest hospital.
Supplemental Income
You can also receive income benefits weekly if your injuries keep you out of work for over one week. These benefits will be paid at two-thirds of your average earnings per week, up to the amount of $675. There are caps on how long you can receive these supplemental income benefits.
Rehab Support
If your work injuries are extensive, you may not be able to perform your job in your former capacity. In these cases, you could be eligible to receive vocational rehabilitation to help you train for a new job at your place of employment or a completely new line of work altogether.
Death Benefits
When an employee does not survive their work-related injuries, their dependents are granted death benefits. This can provide them with two-thirds of what their loved one earned with a cap set at $150,000. These benefits may also cover funeral and burial expenses.
How Do My Georgia Workers’ Comp Payments Work?
In order to receive workers’ comp benefits in Georgia, you must first report your work-related injury or illness to your employer as soon as possible. You have up to 30 days to take this step, though the sooner you issue the report, the sooner they can file the paperwork that grants your benefits.
If everything has been issued properly, you can expect to receive your first payment 21 days after your injury was reported to your employer. The payments should arrive weekly after this point but if you do not receive anything after 21 days, you should address your concerns with your employer.
Keep in mind, these payments are designed to give you the income support you need until you are able to return to work. What happens if your injuries are very serious? You may qualify for temporary partial disability, permanent partial disability, or permanent total disability payments.
Understanding Disability Payments for Workers’ Comp in Georgia
Any worker who can return to work after their injuries but can’t work in their former capacity, forcing them to take a lower-paying job, may be able to get temporary partial disability payments. They are capped at $450 a week and provided for up to 350 weeks.
You may find that after you have recuperated as much as possible, the doctor makes an evaluation to determine if you are disabled. Permanent partial disability is for when you lose a body part or functionality in that body part while permanent total disability is for the loss of more than one major body part or vision loss in both eyes.
What Happens If My Georgia Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Denied?
In some cases, benefits for workers’ compensation may be denied due to missing information or simple errors that can easily be corrected. Other times, employers may be unscrupulous and negligent, failing to file the paperwork with their workers’ compensation insurer.
Your employer may do everything properly but issues can also arise with the insurance company which may reject your claim or only offer a subpar settlement amount. It can be incredibly stressful and frustrating, especially when you are trying to recover from your injuries. Keep in mind that workers’ compensation benefits are awarded on a no-fault basis. Unless you intentionally acted with malice to cause your work-related injuries, these benefits are intended to provide you with coverage. If you experience any issues getting the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve, you should contact a workers’ comp attorney in Georgia to learn what steps you should take next.
