What You Need to Know If You Were Hurt as a Delta Airlines Employee

Delta Airlines operates all over the world. But, if you are injured as an employee, you will generally use the workers’ compensation laws that are in effect in the state where you live. Georgia-based flight attendants, crew members, and baggage handlers will follow Georgia law for their work injury claims. 

Georgia workers’ compensation lawyers can explain in depth what this means and what your first steps are in filing a workers’ compensation claim if you were injured at work.

The Basics of Workers’ Compensation in Georgia

Workers’ compensation is an insurance program that Delta Airlines pays into to cover injuries, accidents, and illnesses that occur at work. The idea behind workers’ compensation benefits is to provide you with the resources you need to get back to work as quickly as possible. These benefits include:

• Medical care and treatment
• Lost wage benefits while you cannot work
• Permanent wages benefits if you have a permanent loss of function or loss of earning capacity

Wage replacement benefits will start within seven days of your first day away from work. You will not get wage replacement for the first seven days unless you’re out of work for at least 21 days. 

Workers’ compensation provides fast, sometimes immediate, benefits to workers. This is unlike a traditional personal injury case, like a car accident, because getting benefits in those situations can take several months or even several years in some circumstances.

Unfortunately, these quick benefits come at a price. When you are injured at work, your damages could be significantly less, particularly because work comp doesn’t pay you for pain and suffering. 

How to Start a Workers’ Compensation Claim Against Delta Airlines

Most workers’ compensation claims start by reporting your accident or injury to your employer, usually an immediate supervisor or manager. You may need to fill out some paperwork to give some basic details about the injury, including:

• The time and date that it occurred
• The location where you were injured
• The body part(s) that were harmed
• A general description of what happened
• Any information regarding people who witnessed the injury

If you don’t have to fill out paperwork, then your supervisor will likely ask these general questions and make a report on your behalf. It’s a good idea to ask for a copy of the report for your records.

You should then get more information about how to get medical care. You can pick from at least six doctors in Georgia, and Delta should provide you with information on how to contact these people. In some cases, they may set up an appointment for you. 

It’s crucial to attend these appointments and follow up as recommended by your doctor. Following the doctor’s orders will help you minimize the long-term effects of your injuries. If you feel like your doctor isn’t giving you proper care, you may have other options that a personal injury lawyer can help you address. 

Workers’ Compensation Benefit Payments for a Delta Airlines Injury

After a workplace injury, you may qualify to receive any of the following workers’ compensation benefits. Your attorney can explain how the payments work and when you should expect to see this income.

• Temporary total disability benefits: these are designed for employees who are unable to work as the individual recovers from the workplace injury.
• Temporary permanent disability benefits: intended to provide supplemental compensation to employees who are recovering from a workplace injury while still employed in a modified capacity with less compensation.
• Permanent partial disability benefits: these are designed for employees who will be permanently disabled but will be able to work in some capacity.
• Permanent total disability benefits: designated for employees who will never be able to resume employment.

Other benefit payments may include medical and/or rehabilitative benefits. If you are employed by Delta Airlines and suffered injuries while on the job, you may be able to bring a negligence claim against the airline. Typically, legal action requires you and your lawyer to show that the airline breached a duty of care, and you suffered damages as a direct result. 

Mistakes You Could Make that Would Compromise Your Workers’ Compensation Claim

There is a possibility your workers’ compensation claim is denied. It’s essential to be aware of any of the following common mistakes that could compromise your workers’ compensation claim in Georgia:

• Missing doctor’s appointments
• Failing to cooperate with medical advice
• Exaggerating injuries
• Failing to disclose pre-existing conditions
• Posting information about your injury on social media
• Not seeking help from workers’ compensation attorney
• Missing the Georgia workers’ compensation statute of limitations

You will need to keep regular appointments and stay in touch with your doctor even if your injuries are healing. This will ensure that your claim is not compromised by failing to seek regular medical care.

Get Help With Your Georgia Workers’ Compensation Case

If you want to learn more about your options after a work injury, you can do so by making a phone call to John Foy & Associates. We can set up an appointment with you to examine the facts of your situation and help you determine what you should do next. Fill out the form to your right or call us to get your FREE consultation today.