Riverdale
Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

A workers’ compensation lawyer can help fight for your rights and ensure you pursue the full benefits you’re entitled to receive. Insurance companies often look for ways to reduce what they need to pay, even on workers’ compensation claims. At John Foy & Associates, we have been helping injured workers get what they deserve for more than 20 years.

As one of the largest and most respected personal injury law firms in Riverdale, we know what it takes to win these types of cases. We’ll give you a free consultation to discuss the details, and there is no fee to you unless we win you money in your case. Call or contact us online to schedule an appointment.

Workers’ Compensation Claims Can Be Rejected

All employers in Georgia with three or more regular workers must carry coverage. Therefore, if you live in Riverdale and are employed, you most likely have workers’ compensation insurance through your employer.

However, getting the full benefits you deserve after a work injury is not always easy, and you might be considering help from a workers’ compensation lawyer in Riverdale. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, just recently, in 2019, there were 2.8 million non-fatal workplace injuries. Even though many injured workers get compensation, that doesn’t mean all of them do.

Workers’ compensation claims can get rejected for many reasons. Even if your claim doesn’t get rejected, the chances are high that the insurance company may downplay your injuries and only offer you a low settlement for your injuries and damages. Don’t ever settle for less and always fight for your right to fair compensation. 

Our Riverdale Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Can Help

When you get one of our Riverdale workers’ compensation lawyers to assist you in your case, they will help you in several ways: 

• Gathering evidence and critical medical records to prove the severity of your injuries. 
• Accurately calculate the total amount of damages you sustained. 
• Talk to witnesses and get their testimony in support of your claim. 
• Handle all communications with other parties on your behalf. 
• Represent you and your best interests at all times. 
• Ensure that any offers or deals presented to you by the insurance company are fair. 

Before you accept the first workers’ compensation offer made by the insurance company, you should review it thoroughly. If you feel as though the settlement made by them isn’t reflective of your damages, you’ll need to hire a lawyer to help you get the maximum amount of benefits possible. 

What Workers’ Compensation Covers in Riverdale

Workers’ compensation was created to provide you, as a worker, with benefits no matter what after an injury on the job. If the injury happened during the course of your employment, you are entitled to receive:

• Medical treatment and compensation of your medical expenses 
• Income benefits if your injury prevents you from working

You may also be entitled to income benefits if you earn less because of your injury and vocational rehabilitation services if you have to find new work because of your work injuries.

Medical Benefits Through Workers’ Compensation in Riverdale

Medical costs that get covered under workers’ compensation include:

• Doctor visits
• Hospital stays
• X-rays, labs, and other tests
• Prescription medications
• Physical therapy and
• Travel to and from medical appointments

According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §34-9-201, your employer must provide you with a list of at least six options for treatment or contact information for a managed care organization contracted to provide services for workers’ compensation benefits.

It’s very important that you see the right physician. Otherwise, your treatment costs might not be covered under your employer’s workers’ compensation policy. Your employer should provide you with the correct information, but if you still need help, contact a workers’ compensation lawyer today.

Income Benefits Through Workers’ Compensation in Riverdale

Other than medical compensation, you are also entitled to regular payments if your work injury keeps you from working for more than seven days. In addition, you can begin receiving temporary total disability (TTD) benefits:

• TTD benefits provide two-thirds of your average weekly wages or up to roughly $675 per week, whichever is lower.
• You can receive TTD benefits until you’re able to return to work or until 400 weeks have passed.
• If you can still work but earn less, you can receive temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits. They are equal to two-thirds of the difference between the average weekly wages you earned before and after your work injury.

If your work injury leaves you with a permanent disability, you may be able to receive additional income benefits, possibly even for life. To learn more, reach out to our Riverdale workers’ compensation attorneys as soon as possible.

All Work Injuries Covered Under Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation is a “no-fault” system, distinguishing it from Georgia’s personal injury cases. Unlike the latter, workers’ compensation does not require you to prove fault or negligence to receive benefits if you are injured while on the job, then your injury should get covered.

It also does not matter what type of job you do, your title, or how much you earn. If you are working under a business in Georgia that is required to carry workers’ compensation, you should be covered. This includes everyone from construction workers to office workers.

Damages You Can’t Claim Under Workers’ Compensation

Worker’s compensation is meant to protect employees, but even then, it still has its limitations. One of the biggest limitations is that most non-economic damages won’t get covered, such as: 

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and emotional trauma
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life 

There are some exceptions if you can manage to tie these damages back to your physical injuries. However, as a whole, you’re only going to get covered for your medical expenses and lost pay. Anything more than that will require more time and a significant amount of proof. 

Suing Your Employer Is Not an Option

In exchange for coverage, no matter how the injury at work happened, you cannot blame or sue your employer for your damages. You also cannot claim pain and suffering damages in a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation is specifically set up to ensure injured workers get access to benefits and avoid lengthy and expensive lawsuits.

You actually won’t be interacting with your employer much at all after you file your workers’ compensation claim. The claim gets handled between you, your lawyer, and the insurance company that provides workers’ compensation benefits.

How to File Your Workers’ Compensation Claim After a Work Injury in Riverdale

Suppose you are injured while on the job in Riverdale. You’ll need to file a workers’ compensation claim to seek your benefits. Before you do that, you should give notice of your work accident to your employer or a supervisor. According to OCGA §34-9-80, you must do this within 30 days of your accident to receive benefits—but we urge you to report the injury as soon as possible.

To file your workers’ compensation claim, you’ll need to:

• Complete a Form WC-14
• File the form with the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC) and
• Send a copy of the form to your employer and the insurance company that provides benefits

If you need help filing your claim or getting the benefits you deserve, a workers’ compensation lawyer in Riverdale can help.

How Can I Trust Your Workers’ Compensation Lawyers? 

Our Riverdale workers’ compensation lawyers pride themselves on their dedication, experience, and transparency. We will never try to exploit you or charge you upfront for any of our services. You only pay us after your workers’ compensation case gets resolved. In addition, there are no hidden costs, and we always keep you involved in our work to show you what we do on your behalf. 

While you rest and recover from your work injury, allow us to fight for your settlement. You can prioritize your health and wellbeing while we do all of the legal work required for your claim. If we can’t win compensation for you, you owe us absolutely nothing in return. 

Talk to a Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Riverdale, GA for Free Today

At John Foy & Associates, we are dedicated to getting injured workers the benefits to which they are legally entitled. So contact us today, and we’ll talk about the details of your case and how we can help you during a free, no-risk consultation.

To schedule your consultation today and get matched with the best workers’ compensation lawyer for your case, call or contact us online. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to take your call.