Stephen Hasner | Workers' Compensation | January 23, 2018
Employees Who’ve Been Permanently Injured at Work Should Know Their Rights
When you’ve sustained a serious, permanent injury at your place of work, it is important to understand your rights. With medical bills to account for, claiming compensation for lost wages is crucial for those who have been injured and are unable to work.
In the state of Georgia, workers’ compensation law allows most workers who are injured on the job to collect their lost wages and the cost of their medical treatment without going to court. Workers generally don’t have to prove that their employers did anything to produce their injuries because injured workers in Georgia are presumed to be entitled to compensation.
Workers’ compensation law is applied by the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation, which decides how much of a disability a worker has suffered and how much of his or her earnings an entitled worker should receive. Some injuries are “non-catastrophic” and likely temporary. Others are “catastrophic,” which result in total disability and probably entitle the worker to permanent benefits.
What Are Catastrophic Injuries Under Georgia’s Workers’ Compensation Law?
If you’ve been injured on the job and are unable to work, receiving compensation for your injuries and lost wages can make all of the difference. You should seek experienced legal counsel and find out whether your injury is considered catastrophic. Your doctor will work with the State Board to determine the extent of your on-the-job injury.
Georgia state law provides that the following kinds of injury are considered catastrophic:
- Any spinal cord injury with severe paralysis;
- An amputation of an arm, hand, foot or leg;
- Injury resulting in severe brain injury;
- Second or third-degree burns over 25% of the body or third degree burns over 5% or more of the face or hands;
- Injury producing total or industrial blindness (occupational medical blindness that is so severe the injured person can’t pursue his or her occupation); or,
- Any other injury severe enough to prevent the employee from doing almost any work.
If you have any of these injuries it is important that you file a workers’ compensation claim and seek experienced counsel, as it’s likely the insurance company called on to pay your claim will fight against your injuries being designated catastrophic. That tactic can be a lot cheaper to them than paying you. For more information, consult the Georgia State Workers’ Compensation Procedure Manual here.
Contact A Georgia Workers’ Compensation Attorney at Hasner Law PC If You Need To File A Claim
Catastrophic injury presents a truly difficult time for you, your family, and your loved ones. If you need to file a workers’ compensation claim because of your on-the-job catastrophic injury, contact Hasner Law as soon as possible to begin the process. Hasner Law has extensive experience in the area of Georgia workers’ compensation and is sensitive to the needs of its clients.
For more information, please contact our workers’ compensation law firm in Atlanta, GA from Hasner Law P.C. at our nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve in Fulton County, Chatham County, and its surrounding areas:
Hasner Law PC – Atlanta Law Office
2839 Paces Ferry Rd SE #1050
Atlanta, GA 30339
(678) 888-4878
Hasner Law PC – Savannah Law Office
221 W York St
Savannah, GA 31401
(912) 234-2334
