If you are a worker in Morrow, you are probably covered by workers’ compensation insurance from the first day of your job. Unfortunately, the insurance company providing those benefits is not always fair to injured workers. To make sure you are not denied benefits you’re entitled to receive after a work injury, speak with a Morrow workers’ compensation lawyer right away.
At John Foy & Associates, we routinely see workers get denied the benefits they need and deserve. We are devoted to changing that and fighting for your rights. If you are having trouble getting your full benefits—or are worried about that happening—give us a call today.
We have been helping injured workers with their workers’ compensation claims for over 20 years. There’s no risk to work with us because we don’t take a fee unless we win you money. To get a FREE, no-obligation consultation, call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online today.
What Workers’ Compensation Covers for Workers in Morrow
Workers’ compensation was set up to act as a safety net for workers who are hurt on the job. While workers’ compensation claims might be more common in traditionally dangerous jobs, workers’ compensation is available to anyone—even those who sit at a desk. If you were injured at work, you are covered.
Workers’ compensation in Morrow provides the following benefits after a work injury.
Medical Care
All medical treatment resulting from your work injury should be covered under workers’ compensation (Georgia Code § 34-9-200). That includes reimbursement for medical costs you’ve already paid and coverage of future medical care for the injury.
Medical costs you might face from your work injury include:
- Doctor visits
- Emergency room visits
- Specialist appointments
- Lab work and tests
- Prescription medications
- Travel to and from medical appointments
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
Temporary Disability Benefits
Many work injuries prevent an employee from working for a certain period of time. If you cannot work for at least seven days, you can receive weekly income benefits. Those first seven days will not be compensated unless you are unable to work for at least 21 consecutive days (Georgia Code § 34-9-220).
There are two main types of temporary disability benefits you can receive through workers’ compensation in Morrow:
- Temporary total disability benefits and
- Temporary partial disability benefits
Temporary total disability benefits are equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage (up to $675 per week, as of July 1, 2019). The minimum is also $50 per week. These benefits are meant to continue until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), which is when your condition has improved as much as it can with treatment, or until 400 weeks have passed.
If you suffer a catastrophic injury, you may be eligible to receive temporary disability benefits for longer.
Temporary partial disability benefits are available if you can return to work but earn less. You would be able to receive two-thirds of the difference between your average weekly wages before and after your injury (up to $450 per week, as of July 1, 2019). You cannot receive temporary partial disability benefits for more than 350 weeks.
Permanent Disability Benefits
When your treatment has reached MMI, your doctor will evaluate you for a permanent disability. If you are found to have a permanent disability, you’ll receive ongoing benefits based on the disabled body part and its percentage of disability. You have either continue to receive weekly payments or receive a lump sum.
If you have a permanent partial disability, you’ll receive temporary total disability benefits for a limited amount of time. This will depend on the disabled body part and its percentage of disability.
If there’s a chance that your work injuries will leave you disabled for a certain amount of time, contact a workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as you can. They can help ensure you are seeking compensation that is actually fair based on your disability.
What About Injuries that Happened Away from Work?
Any injury that happens at work should be covered by workers’ compensation. Although most injuries that happen away from work will not be covered, there are some exceptions.
You may still be covered through workers’ compensation if you are injured while:
- Running an errand for your employer
- Attending an out-of-office meeting
- Traveling for work reasons
- Working at a third-party location
- Operating a company vehicle
- Present on property owned by your employer
If you’re not sure if your injuries are covered, contact a Morrow workers’ compensation lawyer to discuss the details.
Get the strong arm
How a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help Your Case
A workers’ compensation lawyer’s goal is to get you the benefits you deserve. That will include a number of actions when working on your case, such as:
- Compiling medical records and other evidence of your injuries
- Performing legal research
- Taking depositions from you, medical experts, and other parties
- Keeping up-to-date with any changes in workers’ compensation law
- Drafting pleadings, motions, and other legal documents
- Communicating and negotiating with the insurance company to seek a fair settlement
Many workers’ compensation claims are denied due to lack of medical evidence to demonstrate the accident, so this is often a huge focus of a workers’ compensation lawyer. What areas they work on will depend on the details of your case and your personal needs.
It’s also very important that you work with a lawyer who has vast experience working on these types of claims. They should be completely familiar with the process, including answering your questions, communicating with medical providers to obtain records, making sure you get the correct medical care, getting information from your supervisor, negotiating settlements, and more.
A workers’ compensation lawyer should also know when an insurance offer is actually good and fair. The insurance company will look for ways to reduce what they have to pay you, and your lawyer should be able to identify these tactics while fighting for your rights to full compensation.
Talk to a Workers Compensation Lawyer in Morrow for Free Today
As a worker in Morrow, you have the right to benefits through workers’ compensation. John Foy & Associates can make sure your rights are upheld. Let us give you a FREE consultation to go over the details of your case and how we can help.
Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started with your FREE consultation today.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form