In matters of workers’ compensation, the common expectation is that workers who are injured in the scope of employment are entitled to workers’ comp benefits.
However, many workers in Georgia find it difficult to get all of the benefits to which they are entitled. Why? Because insurance companies and employers may stand in the way, or a simple mistake in the claims process may result in a reduction or denial of benefits.
Know what benefits are available through workers’ compensation.
If you know what is possible through workers’ comp, you can be prepared to seek all of the benefits you need and deserve.
Depending on the specific circumstances of the injury, workers’ compensation in Georgia provides all of the following benefits:
- Medical care: The workers’ comp system is designed to get injured workers the medical care they need to treat their specific condition. Also, it’s important to understand that you have the right to get a medical evaluation from a doctor you choose, not just from the employer’s chosen doctor or the doctor chosen by the insurance company. This option helps you guard against medical assessments that could unfairly reduce your benefits or send you back to work too soon.
- Replacement of lost wages: Workers injured on the job are also entitled to wage replacement if the injury results in lost work time. This benefit can be crucial to your recovery and your ability to focus on what matters most: your health and your family.
- Rehabilitation: This may be a key aspect of your recovery, and workers’ comp covers rehabilitation when there is proof that the care is needed.
- Death benefits for surviving family members: When a family loses a loved one in a work-related accident, the family may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to help with funeral expenses and other costs resulting from the death.
Don’t try to go through the process alone.
Even when the facts of a work injury are very clear, workers’ compensation can become very complicated. Injured workers and their families often find the process overwhelming, especially in the midst of trying to recover from the injury.
Having a workers’ comp lawyer on your side every step of the way can help ensure that your rights are not violated and that you receive the full range of compensation you need and deserve.
To learn more, please see our workers’ compensation overview.