Are Summer Seasonal Employees Eligible for Workers’ Compensation in Georgia?

Many people take on seasonal jobs for a variety of reasons. Perhaps they are only in the Savannah area for a few months and want a temporary position, such as students home from college. Maybe they enjoy changing the scenery of their employment or want to make some extra money with a second job for a short period of time. Whatever the reason, there are many seasonal workers in Savannah, many of whom work in jobs with the risk of accidents and injuries.

Some examples of summer seasonal workers that may be injured on the job include:

• Carnival workers
• Concert workers
• Camp counselors
• Retail workers
• Restaurant workers
• Marina workers
• Watersports guides
• Construction workers

Any of the above jobs can provide income for the summer but can also result in serious injuries. For example, carnival workers are constantly setting up and breaking down heavy pieces of equipment, which can cause back injuries and other accidents. Anyone who works near the water may be at risk of near-drowning accidents. These are only a couple examples of possible injuries and they lead to the question: does workers’ compensation apply to seasonal employees in Georgia?

Many seasonal employees may assume that they are not eligible for the same benefits as year-round employees. However, workers’ compensation insurance is intended to cover ALL employees – including those who work part-time or seasonally. If you are injured on the job in Georgia, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer should compensate you for the costs of your injuries, even if you are only working temporarily.

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim

In order to receive benefits, you must follow the necessary procedures like any other injured employee. The following are some facts about workers’ compensation claims:

• You should always immediately report an injury to your employer
• Injuries not reported for 30 days may lose eligibility for benefits
• Your employer may provide a list of doctors from which you must choose
• You can receive compensation for hospital bills, doctor’s visits, medication, physical therapy, and travel expenses related to your medical care
• Benefits can last for up to 400 weeks after the injury if needed
• Employees with catastrophic injuries may be entitled to long-term medical benefits
• If you have to miss more than seven days of work, you can receive benefits for lost wages up to a certain amount
• Qualified impairments may qualify for disability benefits

Sometimes, valid workers’ compensation claims can be wrongfully denied. If this happens, it is important to seek help from an experienced workers’ comp attorney who can challenge a denial and protect your rights to the benefits you deserve.

Contact Our Savannah Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Hasner Law PC Today

The legal team at Hasner Law PC represents injured employees in Savannah and helps them seek benefits for their lost income, medical expenses, and disabilities from injuries. If you suffer an injury on the job, you should not hesitate to call our office to learn about your rights and the workers’ compensation process.