Cumming
Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

All workers are eligible for workers’ compensation in Cumming, Georgia. It does not matter how long you’ve been on the job or what your pay grade is. From the very first day, you’re covered by law. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that employers and their insurance companies are always quick to pay out. 

Many insurance companies will look for ways to minimize the extent of your injury, lowball the costs you face, or even approve you for less treatment than you really need. If you have been injured on the job in any way, you should speak to a Cumming workers’ compensation attorney for advice.

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

What happens when a worker gets injured on the job? Who should pay for the costs of the injury? Is it you or your employer? Workers’ compensation is a government program that solves this question. It has just two goals:

1. Make sure every worker injured on the job gets the medical care they need.
2. Avoid expensive, time-consuming lawsuits for employers and employees.

Workers’ compensation rules basically say that every employer has to have an insurance policy protecting their workers. That way, if you’re injured at work, you are covered by the insurance and you don’t have to pay anything out of pocket.

That doesn’t mean workers’ compensation is free. You have already helped pay for your workers’ compensation benefits long before you needed them, as a deduction on your paycheck. The benefits you get if you’re injured are benefits you’ve already paid for.

What Costs does Workers’ Compensation Cover in Cumming?

Workers’ compensation provides standard benefits to every worker. The program covers quite a lot of costs related to an injury at work, including:

• Medical care. The insurance company will pay for all of your hospital visits, doctor appointments, or other medical bills relating to your injury.
• Missed pay. If you miss a week or more of work because of your injury, workers’ compensation will give you a paycheck for the entire time you’re recovering. This pay is less than your usual paycheck, usually two-thirds of what you normally make, but it is tax-free. 
• Physical therapy. Some injuries will require physical therapy or some other form of rehabilitation. This will also be covered by your workers’ compensation.
• Medicine. All prescription medicine is covered by your employer’s insurance.
• Rehabilitation. If your injury requires physical therapy or speech therapy, it’s covered until you reach the maximum possible level of recovery. If you will have difficulty doing your job or you have a disability, you could also receive vocational rehabilitation to help you return to work.
• Travel costs. If you track the mileage you spend driving to and from doctor appointments, pharmacies, etc., you will be reimbursed at a rate of 40 cents per mile.

Permanent injuries will also qualify for additional payments. This money cannot repair the damage done, but it can offset the financial blow and the effect an injury has on your career. Workers who can continue their careers are in the best interest of everyone, and that means proper medical care.

What Kinds of Injuries Are Covered By Workers’ Compensation?

The most common workers’ compensation claims are ones related to the construction industry. These can involve injuries like a worker being hit by a falling object, electrically shocked, or caught in between equipment. But we also see many claims from other industries, including white-collar work. Even just tripping and falling at work is covered by workers’ compensation.

The only catch is that the injury has to happen while you’re at work. This includes any injury in the workplace, as well as some other work-related situations:

• In an employer-owned parking lot
• On walkways or outside areas owned by the employer
• During business travel
• While working remotely or taking a client call on your cell phone
• Driving in a company vehicle
• Running an errand for your employer
• Attending a meeting at an offsite location

In most cases, injuries that happen while commuting are not covered. If you’re unsure whether or not your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance will cover you, speak with one of our workers’ compensation lawyers in Cumming for advice.

Is Emotional Trauma Also Covered by Workers’ Compensation in Cumming?

It depends. Workers’ compensation does not cover purely psychological or emotional conditions, even if they are work-related. However, it does cover treatment for these conditions if they’re connected to a physical injury. 

This is most common in cases where you are assaulted at work or where a workplace injury caused extreme trauma. If you’re not sure whether your condition might count, you should get a professional opinion from a lawyer.

What do I Need to Do to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

In order to make a claim, there are a few things you must do. First, you need to tell your employer about your injury within 30 days of when it happened. Second, you’ll need to read the labor poster at your employer to find out who the insurer and acceptable doctors are for examination.

Along with these is a bill of rights for workers’ compensation. It lists all the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees for these claims. Read and understand these to learn your additional responsibilities.

Then, contact a workers’ compensation lawyer to help you make your claim. We will help you gather evidence and talk to the insurer on your behalf to get the care you need. Nearly all employers want to see their workers get better. Hiring a lawyer to help you get the money for that should not affect your job.

Do I Have to Sue My Boss If I Got Hurt on the Job?

No. In the city of Cumming, you are not allowed to file a lawsuit over a workplace injury. Workers’ compensation is designed to replace lawsuits. It is a cheaper, faster, more reliable way for you to get the treatment you need.

We often hear from injured workers who are afraid to file a claim because they don’t want to blame their employer. Workers’ compensation isn’t about blame. Your employer already carries insurance specifically to pay for these kinds of claims. The insurance company deals with them every day, and your claim carries no backlash for anyone involved.

Your claim is also private between you and the insurer. Your employer won’t learn the details of your treatment unless you tell them. They aren’t allowed to take any action against you, and you cannot lose your job for filing a claim. Remember, you have already paid into the workers’ compensation system, and you have a right to use it.

How Long Will My Workers’ Compensation Claim Take to Resolve?

How long your workers’ compensation case will take depends on many factors, like the complexity of your injuries. It will take time for the insurer to get the information they need to make an offer. One thing you can do to speed things up is to follow all the requirements to make a claim.

The next thing is to hire a workers’ compensation attorney in Cumming to handle follow-up and keep the process moving. You can focus on recovery and they can work on speeding up your claim through the system.

Speak to a Cumming Workers’ Compensation Attorney for Free

John Foy & Associates has been helping injured workers for over 20 years. We know that the insurance company has an army of lawyers working against you, and we believe you deserve to have an experienced lawyer of your own to level the playing field. 

Workers have rights under the law. At John Foy & Associates, we’ve been helping workers get their benefits for over 20 years. Don’t let the medical bills pile up. Call us or contact us online and get your FREE consultation today.