How Do Workers’ Compensation Payments Work in Georgia?

Workers’ compensation payments in Georiga work by covering your medical expenses and a percentage of your lost pay after a workplace accident. Workers’ compensation insurance covers almost all employees in the state of Georgia. Therefore, if you become injured at work, you are entitled to certain benefits while recovering. 

An Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyer can explain how workers’ compensation payments work in Georgia and what they include.

How Georgia Workers’ Compensation Payments Work

Workers’ comp benefits in Georgia work by providing injured employees with funds to cover their medical bills and lost wages in the event of an on-the-job accident. Injured workers must go through the claims process to get these benefits.

An Atlanta personal injury lawyer who understands workers’ compensation laws can assist you after a workplace accident.

What Are Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Georgia?

If you become injured or ill because of a work-related accident, workers’ compensation can provide you with:

• Medical benefits
• Supplemental income
• Rehabilitation support and
• Death benefits for your dependents if you die from a work-related injury or illness

As long as you have proof of these damages, the insurance company will pay you a settlement that covers all of them.

Medical Benefits

Workers’ compensation should pay for the total value of medical expenses related to your workplace accident. That includes costs like:

• Doctor visits
• Hospital stays
• Tests and procedures
• Prescription medications
• Ongoing future medical treatment, such as physical therapy

The purpose of workers’ compensation benefits is to help you return to work. You must choose your doctor from a panel of authorized physicians provided by your employer under Ga. Code § 34-9-201 to secure payment for your medical costs.

The workers’ comp system may not cover your costs if you don’t go to one of these listed physicians after your injury. However, you can go to the nearest urgent care or emergency room if you need immediate medical treatment after your injury.

Workers’ Compensation Supplemental Income

You can receive weekly income benefits if you’re away from work for over seven days because of your injuries. These benefits cover two-thirds of your average weekly earnings, up to $675 per week. However, you typically cannot receive these benefits for over 400 weeks, and most workers recover far before that time.

Rehabilitation Support

Sometimes, a work injury can prevent you from returning to work as you could before. In addition, you might have new limitations that affect your current job. Employees with catastrophic injuries are eligible for vocational rehabilitation benefits to help them adjust to a new job or line of work.

Death Benefits

If a worker dies from a work-related injury or illness, their dependents can receive two-thirds of their earnings, capped at $150,000. Death benefits may also cover funeral and burial expenses.

When Do You Start Getting a Weekly Benefit?

You are eligible for weekly supplemental income once seven days have passed, and you cannot return to work. You cannot receive compensation for these first seven days unless you are unable to work for 21 consecutive days after your injury, according to Ga. Code § 34-9-220. In that case, you will get compensated for that first week.

Here’s what to know about the payment schedule for workers’ compensation in Georgia:

• Your first income benefits should get paid 21 days after you report your injury to your employer.
• After that, you should get paid weekly income benefits unless the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC) has authorized a different schedule.
• Your benefits may get paid by cash, check, electronic funds transfer, or some other method agreed upon by both you and your employer.
• If you do not receive an agreed-upon payment as scheduled, let your employer know immediately.

Generally, you can only draw worker’s comp benefits for a maximum duration from the date of injury of 400 weeks. The only exception to the 400-week max is for workers with a catastrophic injury. A catastrophic injury may make you eligible for lifelong benefits.

Types of Payments for Workers’ Compensation

Your benefits may cover the money you lose when temporarily disabled from working. These payments can provide income support until you are well enough to return to work.

However, sometimes, you cannot continue working in the same capacity. Below, we’ll cover how other types of workers’ compensation payments work in Georgia.

Temporary Partial Disability Payments

If you can return to work after your injury but take a lower-paying job, you may receive temporary partial disability benefits. These are paid at two-thirds of the difference in wages before and after your injury, capped at $450 per week and for up to 350 weeks.

Permanent Partial Disability Payments

After you have recovered as much as possible with treatment, your doctor will evaluate you for a disability. If a doctor says you experienced a disability, you may be eligible for further benefits.

A permanent partial disability means the loss or loss of use of a party of your body. Through permanent partial disability, you are paid weekly income benefits at two-thirds of the weekly income you were earning for a certain period of time, based on the type of disability you have.

For example, the maximum amount of time you can receive permanent partial disability for an arm or leg loss (or loss of use) is 225 weeks. You will want to work with a Georgia workers’ compensation lawyer to discuss your eligibility for permanent partial disability and what you deserve.

Permanent Total Disability Payments

If you lose more than one major body part, such as both arms, hands, or feet, or lose vision in both eyes, you are eligible for permanent total disability. Depending on the details, these benefits may be payable for life.

You may also qualify for total temporary disability benefits. An attorney can explain how workers’ compensation payments work in Georgia and which benefits you qualify to receive. 

Lump-Sum Payments for Georgia Workers’ Compensation

After you have received benefits for at least 26 weeks, the SBWC may determine it’s in your best interest to receive a lump sum payment. For example, this may happen if you are expected to experience extreme hardship or significant rehabilitation needs because of your injuries.

While workers’ compensation weekly payments can help, they are often not enough for injured workers who require long-term or permanent treatment and assistance. It’s best to talk with a Georgia workers’ compensation lawyer from the beginning to help you seek the best compensation for you.

You Have a Limited Amount of Time to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Georgia

Most personal injury cases generally have two years to file a claim. However, depending on the circumstances, you have only one year for workers’ compensation claims, and sometimes even less.

Don’t assume that you have all the time in the world. In fact, the longer you wait, the more the insurance company will likely think that your workplace injury wasn’t that serious. Learn how to find a good workers’ compensation lawyer in Atlanta and take charge.

Get Help from a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Workers’ compensation claims tend to be straightforward. However, sometimes your employer or insurance company refuses to cooperate. They may give you a hard time and try to offer you only the bare minimum compensation, which doesn’t even scratch the surface of the damages you sustained.

When you encounter issues like these, hiring an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can give you the confidence to seek fair benefits. Even though workers’ compensation cases generally stay out of court, that doesn’t mean a lawyer can’t help you fight back to get the best settlement possible.

Talk to a Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Georgia for Free Today

How do workers’ compensation payments work in Georgia? These payments cover your medical care and lost wages after an on-the-job injury.

If you have other questions about how workers’ compensation payments work or need help with your case, contact John Foy & Associates today. Unfortunately, insurance companies often make it difficult to know exactly what you need and deserve to fully recover.

Our lawyers have been helping injured workers get the compensation they deserve for over 20 years. We can evaluate your case and discuss the best options for you. Call or contact us online to get started with your free consultation.