If you’re injured at work, workers’ compensation insurance is meant to provide you with benefits, including medical treatment and wage replacement. However, the compensation process can be challenging, and an insurance company may try to deny your claim or minimize your payout.
This can leave injured workers struggling financially and physically, even though workers’ compensation laws guarantee benefits. If you or someone you care about was injured at work, talk with a Warner Robins workers’ compensation lawyer right away.
John Foy & Associates has spent the past 20 years helping injured workers get the money they are legally entitled to. Our Warner Robins personal injury lawyers know how to present your claim to the workers’ compensation insurance companies to get them to pay you the benefits you are rightfully owed.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a system designed to provide benefits to employees who experience a work-related injury or illness. Often called “workers’ comp,” this system has two main goals:
- To ensure injured workers receive medical care and financial support
- To avoid the need for a costly and time-consuming personal injury lawsuit
Under Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws, all employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage to protect their employees. If you’re injured in a work-related accident, this insurance will cover your medical expenses and provide weekly wages while you recover.
Key points about workers’ compensation include:
- It’s not a government handout; your employer pays for an insurance policy, often funded by payroll deductions.
- You are entitled to comp benefits for any injury or illness that occurs on the job, regardless of fault.
If you’re having difficulty gaining approval for medical treatments you need or your compensation claim is denied, a Warner Robins workers’ compensation attorney can advocate for you and protect your rights.
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What Will My Workers’ Compensation Claim Pay for?
A compensation claim is designed to cover all costs related to a workplace accident. These may include:
- Medical treatment: Hospital visits, doctor appointments, and other necessary medical care
- Medical costs: Including prescription medications and medical equipment
- Medical benefits: Such as coverage for physical injuries, psychological injuries, and permanent impairment
- Wage replacement: Weekly wages while you are unable to work
- Physical therapy: To aid in recovery
- Additional benefits: For vocational training or permanent disability
- Burial costs: If a workplace accident results in a fatality
If your workplace injury leads to severe injuries or permanent disability, you may qualify for additional benefits. While financial compensation cannot undo the impact of a horrible accident, it can ease the burden and help you move forward.
If you’re struggling to get the benefits you need and the insurance company gives you the runaround, it’s time to consult with an experienced Warner Robins workers’ comp lawyer.
What Types of Injuries Are Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
Georgia’s compensation laws are clear: any work-related injury is covered by workers’ compensation. Some common types of injuries include:
- Construction site accidents: Such as falls, being struck by falling debris, or defective products
- Electrical accidents: Injuries from electrical shocks or burns
- Auto accidents: Injuries sustained while driving for work purposes
- Repetitive motion injuries: Conditions caused by repetitive tasks in the workplace
- Severe injuries: Such as fractures, spinal injuries, or traumatic brain injuries
Even if your injury wasn’t caused by your specific job duties, you are still covered. For instance, an office worker tripping on stairs is just as eligible as construction workers injured by equipment.
Offsite Work Accidents
Most of the time, an injury must have happened at your place of employment or it will not be covered. However, there are situations where an off-site injury will still fall within workers’ compensation.
For example, you may be eligible for benefits if you were injured:
- On business travel
- While driving a company vehicle
- While off-site running an errand for your employer
- At a work meeting away from your office or job site
- While you were working remotely
Injuries in your employer’s parking lot or sidewalk may also be covered. However, if you were injured while commuting to or from work, you probably will not have coverage.
What Injuries Are Not Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
While workers’ compensation provides broad coverage, there are exceptions. Injuries may not be covered if they occur:
- During horseplay or self-inflicted injuries
- While under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- During personal activities unrelated to work
If your claim is denied, a workers’ compensation attorney in Warner Robins can help you prove your injury qualifies for fair compensation.
What About Psychological or Emotional Conditions?
Workers’ compensation covers the consequences of physical injuries that happen at work. If you are physically injured and have mental health issues as a result of those injuries, workers’ compensation will pay for both your physical and psychological treatment.
If, however, you have psychological wounds without any physical injuries (perhaps because you witnessed someone else’s horrible accident), workers’ compensation will not cover your psychological treatment.
Will I Have to File a Lawsuit Against My Employer?
No, workers’ compensation is designed to avoid lawsuits. Claims are filed with the insurance company, not handled in court. This means:
- You don’t have to wait as long to get benefits
- You don’t risk losing in court
- You don’t have to go up against your employer in the courtroom—the claim is handled by the insurance company.
Many workers fear retaliation from their employers if they file a workers’ compensation claim. In fact, we find that most employers are supportive and happy to see their workers get the care they need.
It’s the insurance companies that drag their feet and do everything they can to avoid paying. A good lawyer can help you with this.
Talk to a Warner Robins Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a work-related accident, you have rights under Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws. Don’t let an insurance company deny you the benefits you’re entitled to.
Whether you’re dealing with medical documents, accident reports, or disputes with an insurance company, we’ll handle the details so you can focus on recovery. From simple claims to complex construction accident lawsuits, our workers’ comp lawyers have the legal experience to fight for your rights.
Contact John Foy & Associates today for a free consultation. Our team of attorneys is available to discuss your case. Let us help you secure the medical care, weekly wages, and fair compensation you deserve. Call now to get started.
478-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
