How Does Workers’ Compensation Work in Georgia?

Closeup image of hand holding a small umbrella over a wooden doll wearing a yellow hard hat.

Every year, hundreds of Macon-area workers get injured on construction sites, factory floors, warehouse floors, company premises, and many other locations. Regardless of your position or daily duties, you know that a workplace injury can happen anytime, with or without warning.

If you’re the primary breadwinner, you also know that an on-the-job injury can threaten your family’s financial stability. That’s why workers’ compensation exists—to help you and your loved ones during the recovery period.

If an accident happens that affects you and your family, knowing how workers’ compensation works in Georgia can protect your health and your family’s future.

Experiencing a workplace accident and getting injured on the job in Georgia can raise a lot of questions, like:

How does workers’ comp in Georgia work?
What do I do first?
When should I hire a workers’ compensation attorney?
What are the benefits I can expect if I file a claim that is approved?

Among many others. In this article, we’re looking at the facts about Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws and how they apply to your situation.

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that employers are responsible for providing to protect employees should they become injured or sick due to a work-related accident or occupational hazard.

This insurance program is designed to provide medical and financial support as you recover from your injury or illness. Or, if the worst happens and your injury or illness leads to death, workers’ compensation provides your family or dependents with the benefits needed to cover death expenses.

What Is Considered a Work-Related Injury in Georgia?

Image of fallen factory worker with an injured shoulder.

In Georgia, work-related accidents can occur in any occupation, from construction and manufacturing to office environments. Common types of workplace injuries that can occur on company property or a job site, or the road include:

Slips, trips, and falls
Repetitive motion injuries
Machinery accidents
Construction accidents
Work-related vehicle accidents
Exposure to hazardous substances

Whether you sustain an injury while performing work-related duties in the office or on the company’s property, on a job site, or on the road, you likely qualify for a workers’ compensation claim to receive the coverage you need for recovery.

Who Is Supposed to Carry Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Georgia?

If the company you work for in Georgia employs three or more people, your employer is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance.

To check and make sure your employer is covered, you can perform a coverage verification search on the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation site.

What Can Workers’ Compensation Cover?

Depending on your injury or illness, workers’ compensation may cover any of the following expenses:

Doctor bills
Hospital bills
Physical therapy expenses
Prescription medication costs
Travel expenses for medical treatment
Rehabilitation expenses
Lost income
Temporary or permanent disability benefits
Death benefits (for cases where the injury led to death)

What Is the Process for Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Georgia?

The process of filing a workers’ compensation claim in Georgia requires a few important steps:

Seek Medical Attention: Get medical treatment promptly, even if the injury seems minor. It’s important to prioritize your health and safety no matter the injury because without proper care, even a minor issue can develop into a major one. If the injury is serious or causes severe pain or symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Report the Injury: It’s essential to notify your employer about the injury as soon as possible, ideally within 30 days. Depending on the severity, location, and timing of your illness or injury, you may have the chance to report the injury or illness before seeking medical treatment. However, in both emergency and non-emergency cases, reporting can occur after you seek medical attention.
Gather Documentation: Keep a record of your medical documents and request a copy of the accident report from your employer. Having proof of the injury on paper will help you significantly if a dispute arises after filing your workers’ compensation claim. If your employer does not offer an accident report, write a letter explaining the details of the accident and the injuries. Give a copy to your employer and keep a copy for your records. You can even ask your employer to sign your copy to acknowledge they have seen it.
Report to the Insurance Company: After you report your injury to your employer, your employer should file a claim with their workers’ compensation insurance provider.
Evaluate the Claim: The insurance company will evaluate the claim and decide whether to approve or deny benefits.
Appeal a Denied Claim: If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision.

Why Should I Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Macon, GA?

Navigating Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws can be difficult, and fighting for the benefits you deserve can be hard to do alone. Regardless of the severity of your injury, you can simplify the claims process by working with a skilled workers’ compensation attorney in Macon, GA.

Your workers’ comp lawyer and legal team can help the filing process go as smoothly as possible. If your claim gets denied, the insurance company does not offer the coverage you need, or the injury you sustained is a major one, your team can step in and fight to get you the financial benefits you deserve and need to recover.

If you have been hurt on the job and are wondering about how workers’ compensation laws work in Georgia, talk to Macon’s Workers’ compensation lawyers at Buzzell, Welsh & Hill: 478-217-2072.

The attorneys at Buzzell, Welsh & Hill take workers’ compensation cases seriously and seriously fight for the benefits our clients deserve. Getting hurt on the job can be painful at best and fatal at worst. No matter what your injury leads to, we work tirelessly to ensure you receive the financial support you need to get back on your feet after recovery or at least afford life if recovery is not possible.

Tell us about your case today: 478-217-2072

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