Workers’ compensation insurance protects you from the very first day of your job in Lithia Springs. You are entitled to benefits like medical compensation and weekly paychecks, but that doesn’t mean the system is always fair. To make sure you receive all of the benefits you deserve, talk to a Lithia Springs workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible.
Sometimes, the insurance company providing your workers’ compensation cover, your employer, or even a doctor who treats you will pressure you to return to work too soon or undermine the seriousness of your injuries. Don’t get taken advantage of or denied what you deserve to receive for your injury. Contact John Foy & Associates to discuss your options for FREE.
Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online now to schedule a FREE consultation with the best attorney for your case. We’ll listen to the details of what happened and talk about how we can help. There’s no risk in working with us because we don’t take a fee unless we win you money.
Call (404) 400-4000 or reach out online to get started now.
How to Know If You’re Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Lithia Springs
The eligibility for workers’ compensation coverage in Lithia Springs is actually very simple: If you were hurt on the job, your injuries are covered.
Now, your employer must actually have workers’ compensation insurance for you to be truly covered. Chances are very good that they do, though, since any business in Georgia with three or more regular workers must carry workers’ compensation. (If your employer does not have coverage but should, that’s a crime and you will likely have grounds for legal action against them.)
When it comes to workers’ compensation cases, it does not matter who caused the accident that led to your injuries. Unlike personal injury cases, who was “at fault” doesn’t matter at all in a workers’ compensation claim. As long as the injury happened at work, was not intentionally self-inflicted, and did not involve criminal behavior, it should be covered.
What About Psychological Injuries?
You may be eligible to seek compensation for costs resulting from emotional injuries through workers’ compensation. However, those emotional injuries must result from physical injuries you suffered on the job. There usually must be a physical injury too for your costs to be eligible for workers’ compensation.
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Nine Most Common Causes of Workers’ Compensation Claims
Although virtually any type of accident at work may lead to a workers’ compensation claim, here are some of the most common reasons claims are filed.
1. Overexertion
A workers’ compensation claim does not need to result from an actual accident. Many jobs involve repetitive motions or movements that can stress or strain certain muscles or body parts, leading to injuries.
Workers on construction sites, in factories, and even those at desk jobs can experience overexertion. The most common situations involve physical labor with big pushes, lifts, or pulls that damage a worker’s muscles or force them to move past a regular range of motion.
2. Slip and Fall Accidents
Also sometimes known as “trips and falls,” slip and fall accidents can happen because of wet or slippery floors, inclement weather, or other conditions that cause workers to slip, trip, or fall and get injured. This can happen in any type of work environment.
3. Being Struck By Objects
Items can fall from high heights or be accidentally dropped on workers, resulting in injuries that range from minor to severe. This is another hazard that can be present in any type of work environment.
4. Accidents Involving Machinery
Employees who operate or work around heavy machineries, such as in construction or in factory settings, are at increased risk of very serious accidents. These environments can lead to accidental amputations, mutilations, or other catastrophic injuries.
If you suffer a catastrophic injury at work, you may be entitled to more than the usual weekly wage benefits. Catastrophic cases may be eligible for lifetime benefits. Contact a workers’ compensation lawyer in Lithia Springs for more information.
5. Electrocution
Employees who are electricians, forestry workers, crane operators, construction workers, and more are often in situations where electrocution is possible. Being electrocuted can lead to nerve damage, brain damage, extreme burns, or death.
6. Transportation Accidents
Those who operate vehicles for a living, namely truck drivers, can get into auto accidents while on the job and suffer a whole range of injuries.
7. Harmful Environments or Substances
These are more situations where there isn’t necessarily an accident involved. Workers who are regularly exposed to harmful chemicals can suffer injuries or illnesses that qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. However, workers do have a duty to follow all work safety precautions, such as wearing helmets, gloves, or goggles, while working.
8. Explosions or Fires
The injuries from fires or explosions can be incredibly serious or deadly, resulting in cardiac arrest, serious burns, organ damages, and more.
9. Workplace Violence
Lastly, workplace violence is typically covered under workers’ compensation insurance when a worker is injured by violence while on the job. Probation officers, police officers, nurses, and even retail workers can experience injuries caused by workplace violence.
No matter how your injury occurred or how serious it was, you likely qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. If you’re unsure of your rights, contact a workers’ compensation lawyer for help.
What You Should Do After Getting Injured at Work in Lithia Springs
There are two deadlines you should be aware of after a work injury:
- Informing your employer and
- Filing your workers’ compensation claim
You will need to let your employer know about the workplace injury within 30 days of the date it happens. Be sure to tell your supervisor as soon as possible, and make sure they understand what happened. If you do not report your accident within the 30-day period, you may lose all chance at benefits.
Second, you’ll need to file your workers’ compensation claim within one year of the date of your accident. According to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC), you can file a claim by:
- Completing a Form WC-14
- Filing the form with the SBWC
- Sending a copy of your claim to your employer and their insurance company
Before filing, you’ll want to have a good idea of your total costs and how long you will be away from work. This is often hard to calculate, but a Lithia Springs workers’ compensation lawyer can help. They can also make sure your rights are protected through each step of the process.
Talk to a Lithia Springs Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for Free Today
At John Foy & Associates, we can help you seek all of the benefits you deserve after a work injury—starting with a FREE consultation. To schedule your FREE consultation today, call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
