Athens
Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

If you suffered injuries due to a workplace accident, you deserve compensation for your medical treatments and lost wages. You can receive those benefits by filing a workers’ compensation claim.

An Athens workers’ compensation lawyer from our team at John Foy & Associates can help you file a claim for fair benefits. We know how to handle the insurance company and all required paperwork, drawing on over 350 years of combined experience.  If the workers’ comp system denies your benefits, you can review your case with our legal team now.

We are one of the most experienced and largest workers’ compensation law firms in Georgia. We know how difficult insurance adjusters can make the workers’ compensation process, so we are here to balance the scales. You can take charge by hiring an Athens personal injury lawyer.

When Do You Need a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Athens, GA?

Any time you have a dispute with an insurance provider, you should partner with a skilled lawyer. Therefore, you need to hire a qualified workers’ compensation attorney if you suffered an injury at work and the insurance company refuses to pay for your damages.

In addition to a denied claim, you may also need a work injury lawyer when you:

• Are seeking permanent disability
• Have a pre-existing condition
• Can no longer perform your job duties
• Cannot receive the medical treatment your injuries require
• Are receiving additional government benefits
• Have to go to court for your work injury claim

If your workplace injury does not get approval for workers’ compensation benefits, don’t hesitate to contact a workers’ compensation attorney handling cases in Athens. 

A lawyer for workers’ compensation claims can review your case, determine the source of the dispute, and ensure you receive the benefits you deserve. Your lawyer can also explain how workers’ compensation payments work in Georgia.

Types of Workers’ Comp Claims We Handle

Our team can assist you after many types of workplace accidents. For example, you can reach out to us when you need help from an:

• Athens Plant and Industrial Accident Lawyer: A workers’ comp lawyer can help you after an injury at a large plant. We know what it takes to successfully resolve claims involving catastrophic work-related injuries.
• Athens Wrongful Death Workers’ Compensation Lawyer: Your family can turn to us for assistance after a fatal on-the-job accident. We can explain what steps families should take after a fatal work accident.
• Athens Head Injury Workers’ Compensation Lawyer: We can assist with your legal needs if you experience a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to an accident at your workplace.
• Athens Shoulder Injury Workers’ Compensation Lawyer: We can help you build a claim for compensation if you sustain a shoulder injury while working in Athens. We take these occupational injuries seriously.
• Athens UPS Workers’ Compensation Claims Lawyer: You can turn to our law firm for professional support if you sustain an injury while working for UPS. We can explain the benefits available to you in this situation and what steps postal employees should take after a work injury.

The above list contains examples of the types of workers’ comp claims we can help you handle. Reach out to us now to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Funds Available Under Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Workers’ compensation benefits should cover all your losses following an accident at work. The insurance should pay for your:

Medical Expenses

You may receive funds to pay for hospital stays, doctor visits, tests and lab work, and any other medical expenses associated with your accident.

The workers’ comp system may also cover the costs of the medical supplies you need as part of your treatment or ongoing recovery and any rehabilitative or physical therapy you need to recover from your injuries.

Lost Pay

You can receive up to two-thirds of your regular pay (tax-free) while recovering from workplace injuries. So, while workers’ compensation does not pay your full salary in Georgia, it can help with some of your losses.

Travel Expenses

You may have a chance to seek reimbursement for traveling to doctor’s appointments, pharmacies, and other places due to your accident injuries.

Vocational Assistance

In some cases, the workers’ comp system may provide payments for occupational training to help you return to work or qualify for a new line of work following your accident.

If the injury leaves you with a permanent disability, you may receive additional payments. This money should offset the financial cost of your disability and its impact on your career.

You can contact us to learn more about your benefits and how to maximize your workers’ compensation settlement.

Will You Need to Sue Your Employer to Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

In Georgia, you cannot sue an employer for a workplace injury. The state’s workers’ compensation system replaces the need for lawsuits.

Instead, you need to pursue a claim against your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider. You may work with your employer to file a workplace incident report and gather additional evidence to build your claim.

But if your workers’ compensation benefits get denied, you need to bring a suit against the insurance provider, not your employer. You can learn more about the legal process with an Athens workers’ compensation attorney. 

Why Choose Us to Handle Your Workers’ Comp Claim?

Our team at John Foy & Associates has over 350 years of combined experience that we can draw on to help you after an accident at work. We know what it takes to help clients in your situation and proudly stand as The Strong Arm™ on your behalf.

We’re also proud of our reputation for successfully resolving claims for our clients. We’ve brought injury victims who turn to us for help over $1 billion in compensation.

Additionally, we handle workers’ comp claims on a contingency fee basis. Therefore, you’ll only have to pay us for legal fees after we resolve your claim. You can learn more with a risk-free initial consultation.

Understanding Workers’ Compensation Claims

Workers’ compensation protects employees from on-the-job injuries. It is a type of insurance that provides workers with the financial recovery they need to care for their medical needs. From a minor sprain to life-changing paralysis, workers’ compensation benefits should cover all workplace injuries.

Workers’ compensation has two key objectives:

• To give injured workers complete medical care
• To prevent the need to file an expensive lawsuit after a workplace injury

Georgia workers’ compensation laws require businesses with three or more employees (including part-time workers) to have workers’ compensation coverage. The laws guarantee that all workers receive equal protection regardless of their position, pay rate, or how long they have worked at the job.

Collecting Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Your employer and your paycheck fund your workers’ compensation benefits. From your first day on the job, you receive coverage. However, an insurance company handles the actual benefits. Unfortunately, insurance adjusters can make obtaining benefits a challenge.

We frequently take on cases where insurance companies attempt to reduce or deny workers’ compensation benefits. The insurance provider may:

• Pin the blame for the accident on the employee
• Claim the incident happened outside of the workplace
• Insist the injuries are less severe than they actually are

These insurance tactics can result in workers receiving a fraction of the care they need. Some workers have to pay out of pocket for treatment. That’s where our workers’ compensation lawyers serving Athens step in. We stand up to insurance providers and demand a fair payout for your workplace injuries.

You can turn to us for professional advice about the steps you need to take to apply for benefits. We can also assist you with the appeals process when necessary.

Injuries Covered by Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Simply put: if the injury happened at work, it qualifies as a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation is unlike other insurance plans because there is no specific list of conditions, restrictions, or requirements to prove to receive benefits.

If the injury happened at your place of work, you qualify for complete coverage. You may even qualify if you sustain an injury while performing tasks not directly linked to your job duties. Some of the most common types of workplace accidents our personal injury lawyers see are:

• Burns
• Slip and falls
• Impalements
• Vehicle collisions
• Exposure to toxic chemicals, extreme temperatures, and loud noises
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Workplace violence
• Cuts and lacerations

While some industries are more dangerous than others, workers’ compensation extends to every sector. For example, the National Safety Council (NSC) lists construction, transportation, and agricultural jobs as the most dangerous industries. However, job-related accidents can happen anywhere, so all employees receive equal protection.

Does Workers’ Compensation Only Cover Injuries that Occur at Work?

Workers’ compensation extends to all injuries that occur while you are at work or performing work-related duties. Therefore, you may seek benefits for injuries that happen when:

• Attending an offsite meeting
• Running an errand on behalf of your job
• Driving a company car
• On an employer-owned property (such as parking lots and walkways)
• Traveling for business
• Doing work on a laptop at an outside location
• Taking a business call on your cell phone at an external location

Workers’ compensation does not cover injuries that occur while commuting to and from your job. Although driving is necessary for work, employees are considered “off the clock” and therefore not eligible for financial benefits. If you were injured driving to or from work, review your case with a car accident lawyer instead.

What to Do After a Workplace Accident in Athens

First and foremost, after a work-related accident, you need to address any medical concerns. Seek professional care if you sustain any injuries, no matter how minor they may seem. Be sure to keep all receipts and medical documents for when you file your claim.

When pursuing workers’ compensation benefits, you want to stay organized. To help your attorney with the case, you should take the following steps after a workplace incident:

• Inform your employer about the incident as soon as possible
• Complete an official accident report
• Take photos of your injuries, personal property damage, and the area in which the incident happened
• Attend to all injuries right away
• Consult with a lawyer to learn more about your rights

Taking swift legal action is key to obtaining workers’ compensation benefits. The faster you get legal assistance from a workers’ compensation attorney serving Athens, the sooner you can receive your benefits and collect the recovery your accident injuries merit.

Contact Us for Help After an Accident at Work

As an employee in Athens, Georgia, you have a right to workers’ compensation after an accident. However, it’s crucial to take fast legal action to ensure you receive every penny you deserve. That’s where our team at John Foy & Associates can step in to help.

You can rely on an Athens workers’ compensation lawyer to handle all of your legal needs.

Our legal team fights for every eligible worker to receive fair compensation after a workplace incident. Contact us now to schedule a free claim consultation. Our lawyers will review your accident and determine the most effective legal strategy to collect your workers’ compensation benefits.