Snellville
Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

If you work in Snellville, you are probably covered by workers’ compensation insurance through your employer. Under workers’ compensation, if you become injured on-the-job, the costs of your injuries should be covered. You may still run into problems while filing a claim for workers’ compensation, though, so it’s best to contact a Snellville workers’ compensation lawyer after your injury happens.

Workers’ compensation is paid out through an insurance company, which is where a lot of the problems often lie. Insurance companies are routinely hesitant about how much they actually agree to pay out on a claim. The insurance company providing your workers’ compensation benefits may look for ways to undervalue your case, thus leaving you with fewer benefits than you actually deserve.

At John Foy & Associates, we can help you protect your rights to all of the workers’ compensation benefits you’re entitled to receive in Snellville. Our lawyers have a 20-plus-year history of helping injured workers win their cases and get what they need to pay their costs. We can help you, too, starting with a FREE consultation. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started.

The Purpose of Workers’ Compensation in Snellville

Workers’ compensation was created to protect workers who become injured performing the duties of their job. Its meant to ensure that those who are hurt at work have a degree of financial protection, including compensation for their medical costs when they cannot immediately return to work.

There are two main purposes of workers’ compensation in Snellville:

1. To support injured workers through compensation and other benefits
2. To prevent employers from being sued for work injuries

Unlike personal injury claims, workers’ compensation does not take fault into account at all. It doesn’t matter who caused your accident; as long as your injuries happened at work, they should be covered. You also cannot sue your employer for the injuries under workers’ compensation.

In Snellville, all employers with three or more employees

must carry a workers’ compensation policy. In businesses that are LLCs or incorporated, members or officers also count towards that employee number, even if they opt-out of coverage for themselves. This means that almost all businesses in Snellville should have workers comp coverage for their employees.

Costs and Benefits Covered By Workers’ Compensation

According to the Georgia State Board of Workers Compensation (SBWC), workers’ compensation may provide injured workers with medical compensation, income benefits, and rehabilitation support. Medical costs can include:

• Doctor visits
• Hospital stays
• Prescription medications
• Travel to medical appointments

If your injury prevents you from working for more than seven days, you are also entitled to weekly income payments. These are paid at two-thirds of your regular weekly wage, up to $675 per week (as of July 1, 2019). Weekly benefits are available for up to 400 weeks unless you have an injury that will indefinitely prevent you from returning to work.

Permanent Injury Benefits

Catastrophic injuries may make you eligible for lifetime weekly benefits through workers’ compensation. Your benefits will depend on the severity of your injuries and the type of permanent disability that you now have. A doctor will use the Guides to the Evaluation Impairment when evaluating your condition and how to rate it. Call a Snellville workers’ compensation lawyer if you are not sure who to approach this.

If your injury prevents you from being able to return to your current work, workers’ compensation should help you find another job that you can perform with your disabilities. If your injury forces you to take a lower-paying job, you can receive a reduced benefit for up to 350 weeks and not above $450 per week.

Workers’ compensation can also cover occupational training if you need to be trained for a new job that is now within your new capabilities.

Workers Compensation Death Benefits

If a worker is killed on the job, certain family members may be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits.

The deceased worker’s surviving spouse, children, or dependent stepchildren will receive two-thirds of the worker’s regular average weekly wage (up to $675 per week). If the deceased had a spouse but no children, the spouse may receive up to $270,000 unless they remarry

Fault does Not Matter in Workers Compensation Claims in Snellville

An injury that occurs at work is covered by workers’ compensation. Fault is not even considered in these types of claims, so it doesn’t matter who caused your accident.

Situations Where Workers’ Compensation does Not Apply

Workers’ compensation may not apply in situations where the injury did not happen at your workplace. That being said, there are some circumstances where you may still be covered even away from work. If you are injured while driving a company vehicle, taking a business-related trip, attending an off-site meeting for work, or fulfilling an off-site errand for your employer, you are likely still covered.

It’s not uncommon for employers or workers’ compensation insurance companies to use the details against you. They might try to say your situation doesn’t count for workers’ compensation benefits or that your injuries weren’t as serious as you said. If this happens, it’s best to get a workers’ compensation lawyer on the phone immediately.

You Cannot Sue Your Employer

As mentioned above, one of the main purposes of workers’ compensation is to prevent a lawsuit from happening. Going to court can take a lot of time and resources, so workers’ compensation avoids this possibility for both you and your employer.

Although you cannot sue your employer, you can hire your own legal representation if you need help getting the most out of your claim. An experienced lawyer can make sure you are being treated fairly and pursuing the best benefits possible. Plus, insurance companies are often more likely to offer a higher amount of money and benefits if you have a reputable lawyer on your team.

Talk to a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Snellville for Free

Let John Foy & Associates bring our more than 20 years of experience to the table for your case. We know how to get our clients as close as possible to the compensation they need and deserve after a work injury. Plus, working with us is risk-free: we don’t get paid unless we win you money.

Contact us today for a FREE consultation where we’ll discuss your case and what you can do next. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online now to get started with your FREE consultation.