Ask Workers Compensation Lawyers: Is Your Case Worth Taking to Court?

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It only takes a moment for an injury at work to turn your world upside down. If you suffer an injury or an illness caused by your job, you may not know what to do next. The first step is to asses your situation, and determine whether you need the assistance of workers’ compensation lawyers.

What happens if you have to be off work? 

Are you entitled to workers’ compensation benefits? 

Here is some important information to consider from the workers’ compensation lawyers in our Marietta, GA office.

Workers’ Comp Claims Are Often Denied

Employees are often surprised to learn that what seems a simple injury claim is denied by their employer’s insurance company. Employers sometimes deny that your injury even happened on the job. This can make some workers’ compensation applicants simply give up on the claim before they ever get started. Others may try to handle the claim themselves, but with no idea of how the system really works. The best course is to have an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in Marietta, GA handle your claim.

A workers’ comp attorney knows how to get you the benefits the law allows. 

Benefits Under Workers’ Compensation Laws

There are various types of benefits available to you under Workers’ Compensation laws.

  1. Medical Benefits–Whether your workers’ comp claim arises from an accident on the job or an illness cause by your working conditions, you are entitled to have appropriate medical treatment as a part of your workers’ comp benefits. You will need to be treated by a doctor who is on your employer’s workers’ comp insurance approved list.

Medical care generally includes hospital charges, diagnostic tests like X-rays and scans, physical therapy when needed, prescriptions, and necessary travel expenses. Other related expenses for items such as crutches, wheelchairs, and braces may be covered.

  1. Benefits for Lost Wages–In Georgia, you are entitled to weekly income benefits if you are unable to work for more than 7 days due to a work-related illness or injury. Lost wages can be based on temporary total disability or temporary partial disability.

It’s important to have Georgia workers’ compensation lawyers on your side so that your settlement includes all the benefits you are entitled to.

  1. Vocational Rehabilitation–Under Georgia law, if you suffer a catastrophic injury, workers’ compensation benefits entitle you to help in getting another job or learning to do another job. This is an important benefit that you may not be offered unless you have a workers’ compensation attorney on your side.
  2. Permanent Partial Disability Benefits–Once you have reached maximum medical improvement—that is, you are as well as you are ever going to be after treatment for your work-related injury—your doctor issues a permanent partial disability (PPD) rating. The impairment rating (a percentage) is used in calculating an amount under the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act that compensates you for your permanent disability.

If you do not have a workers’ compensation attorney, the insurance adjuster may try to get you to settle your whole claim for this amount. Do not sign any releases without first consulting an attorney! 

Our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers can help you navigate the convoluted Georgia workers’ comp system. Call our Marietta, GA offices today at (404) 689-2734 or fill out our online contact form for your free consultation

The post Ask Workers Compensation Lawyers: Is Your Case Worth Taking to Court? appeared first on Morrison & Hughes Law Firm.

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