Injuries can happen at any workplace in Stonecrest. If you get hurt on the job, your employer likely has workers’ compensation to cover your costs. However, not all employers or insurance companies are willing to pay what you deserve. A Stonecrest workers’ compensation lawyer can help ensure your settlement is fair.
At John Foy & Associates, we’ve helped many injured workers after an accident. With over 20 years of experience, we know how to win cases. We’ll communicate directly with the insurance company while you focus on healing. Call or contact us online for a free consultation.
How Workers’ Compensation Works
Workers’ compensation, also known as workers’ compensation, protects employees who suffer injuries at work. Unlike personal injury claims, fault does not matter with workers’ compensation claims. You don’t have to prove that your employer or someone else caused your accident.
Workers’ compensation is insurance that an employer buys for employees. It covers:
- Medical costs of your injuries
- Income benefits while you recover
- Rehabilitation benefits
Workers’ compensation benefits should help you return to work and cover your costs. If a worker dies on the job, workers’ compensation also benefits the worker’s dependents. There are some limitations, as you can’t file a claim for pain and suffering or other related damages. However, there may be some exceptions to this rule, depending on your case.
You shouldn’t have to pay for the costs of a work-related injury. While workers’ compensation should cover everything, it isn’t easy to get what you deserve. Our Stonecrest workers’ compensation lawyer can help protect your rights from the beginning.
Get the strong arm
Common Work-Related Injuries You Can Claim
Work injuries can happen at any worksite. Injuries are most common at workplaces like construction sites, but they can occur even in office settings. For example, someone might have injuries from repetitive movements, such as typing.
Work-related injuries covered under workers’ compensation can include:
- Neck or back injuries
- Broken bones
- Strains and sprains
- Severe burns
- Electrocutions
- Repetitive use injuries
- Slip and fall injuries
- Hearing loss
- Machinery-related injuries
The construction industry often sees the highest rates of workplace injury and death. According to the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OHSA), the top four causes of construction deaths are:
- Falls
- Getting struck by an object
- Being caught in or in-between something
- Electrocutions
If you suffered an injury at work, you have rights. Whether you’re a construction worker, retail employee, or work in an office, the law entitles you with protection and the ability to file a claim for your injuries.
Employer Laws for Workers’ Compensation
You might wonder if your company even has workers’ comp benefits. The chances are good that they do. According to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC), those who regularly employ three or more people must verify that they have workers’ compensation coverage. That includes full-time, part-time, or seasonal workers.
Companies can face steep penalties for not carrying benefits. Unfortunately, many workers assume they don’t have any workers’ compensation coverage or don’t qualify for it. If you’re not sure or your employer is saying there’s no coverage, contact a Stonecrest workers’ compensation lawyer.
What to Do After an Injury at Work
After a work-related injury, it’s vital to document what happened. Here are some steps you can take to protect your rights. An experienced lawyer can help you with each of these steps. It’s best to contact a lawyer if you have any uncertainty about the legal options available to you.
Report the Injury
After a workplace injury, tell your supervisor. Make sure they understand that you got injured on the job. Most of the time, you must report a workplace injury within 30 days. If you wait too long, the insurance company may believe your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim them to be.
Document the Scene
Take pictures of your injuries and where the accident happened. Also, talk to any coworkers who saw your injury occur. Documenting the scene can help create a record of the incident. Even if it seems trivial, gather evidence on everything. You never know if it may come in handy for your case later.
Get Medical Treatment
You will need treatment for your injuries. But don’t go to any doctor without consulting your employer. The workers’ compensation policy usually includes specific healthcare providers. If you’re not sure where to get care, contact a workers’ compensation lawyer. At John Foy & Associates, we can ensure you get prompt treatment and see the correct provider.
Prepare Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
You will need to claim with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company. However, be very careful what you say to the insurer. It’s best to contact a lawyer before discussing the accident with anyone else.
Don’t Wait to Start on Your Claim
You must act quickly after a work-related injury. If you wait too long to file a claim, you could miss any chance at compensation. Time goes fast after an injury.
Report any workplace accident to your supervisor or boss immediately. If you wait longer than 30 days, you could lose all benefits. That’s not a lot of time to file a legal claim, so start taking action today.
Many workers are afraid of upsetting their employer or jeopardizing their job. However, workers’ compensation is available for your benefit. Your employer should be happy that it exists to protect your rights after an injury. Unfortunately, not all workers face a fair situation.
Get Help with Your Claim
A workers’ compensation lawyer can protect your rights after a work accident by:
- Documenting your accident and injuries
- Tracking your expenses and missed work time
- Dealing with your employer and the insurance company
- Filing a strong workers’ compensation claim
- Making sure you get a fair benefits offer
You should receive benefits while you’re away from work. However, the insurer might pressure you to return before you fully recover. This can hurt your compensation options.
An experienced lawyer can make sure the process is fair to you. So reach out today for the help you need and deserve.
No Upfront Fees or Hidden Costs
When you hire one of our Stonecrest workers’ compensation lawyers, you don’t have to worry about any upfront costs or hidden fees. We never seek to take advantage of you after your accident. Our only goal is to get you fairly compensated for your injuries.
We know that there are many shady lawyers and predatory law firms out there. That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis. You only have to pay us if we succeed in helping you and getting you a settlement. If we can’t get you any money for your injuries, you don’t have to pay us anything in return.
The Insurance Companies Aren’t on Your Side
One thing you should always keep in mind is that insurance companies are businesses. Their main goal is to get you to settle for less than what your damages actually cost. The reason for this is because they want to protect their bottom line against your claims.
Insurance companies accomplish this with stall tactics during negotiations. However, before the negotiation process even begins, an insurance adjuster may try to get in contact with you. Therefore, after your injury, it’s imperative to watch what you say and how you act. Anything you do can get used against you.
Never accept the initial settlement offer if it seems too weak. Even if the insurance company promises a fast payout, it’s okay to be skeptical about their end of the deal. To avoid this, please give our Stonecrest workers’ compensation lawyers a call so we can evaluate any deals and help you get a settlement that reflects your damages.
Talk to a Stonecrest Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Workplace accidents are complicated. If you were hurt at work, you probably have workers’ compensation benefits. At John Foy & Associates, we can help. We’ll review your case and make sure you’re on the right track. We’ve been helping injured workers get what they deserve for over 20 years. Call or contact us online to get started.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form