Worker’s Compensation in Atlanta, Georgia
Getting injured at work can be a mortifying experience. Not only do you have to worry about medical bills and lost income, but you may even encounter pressure from your post and their insurance while they try to avoid compensating you for your injuries. If you have recently been injured at work, are dealing with a challenging claim, or have been denied coverage, an attorney could help you recover the maximum compensation for your case.
How An Attorney Can Help You File a Claim
Georgia requires employers with three or more employees to provide workers’ compensation insurance. Working injured while on the job has 30 days to file a “notice of injury” with their boss. It is essential that you don’t delay the process and report your accident as soon as possible.
After you have completed this step, an attorney can assist you in filing a WC-14 form with Georgia’s State Board of Worker’s Compensation. Your attorney will help you provide documentation confirming your employment, the location on the work site where your injury took place, and that the course of work caused the accident.
After you report your accident, you also have to see a doctor covered by your employer’s insurance. An attorney could help you choose the right physician, and if you’re denied coverage, they could help you find a doctor to offer a second opinion for your appeal.
How an Attorney Can Help If You Were Denied Coverage
Sometimes insurance companies will deny an injury claim if they decide the injury was the result of a preexisting condition or if there isn’t enough evidence proving that a workplace accident caused the damage. Some tactics employers use to undermine worker’s compensation claims include claiming the victim’s negligence caused the injury, punishing the employee with negative performance reviews, and firing an injured employee after they have been cleared to work by a work approved doctor.
Depending on your case, filing an appeal with the help of a workers compensation attorney can help you get the coverage you deserve. You can submit a petition with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation, who will schedule a hearing within 60 days of receiving your file. The judge will issue a reward or deny your claim.
Benefits Of Hiring a Workers Compensation Attorney
Hiring a lawyer will ensure that your rights and best interest are protected throughout all levels of your case. You have a higher possibility of recovering your entitled benefits with an attorney on your side. They will be able to gather the appropriate evidence—like medical records, eyewitness testimonials, and safety reports—to bolster your case and get you the compensation you deserve. If the insurance company denies your claim, your attorney might be able to file an appeal demanding coverage.
Georgia’s workers’ compensation covers medical treatment, permanent disability funds, and lost income, but if someone other than your employer is liable for your accident, an attorney could help you file a third-party lawsuit. For instance, you could sue a manufacturer of defective equipment that contributed to your injury.
Contact a personal injury attorney in Atlanta today to get informed on all of your legal options. The sooner you get started on your case, the better.
