Atlanta Workers' Compensation Lawyer

Injured in a workplace accident - now what?

If you were injured in a workplace accident, you may wonder what to do now. Following are a few helpful tips from our Atlanta workers' compensation attorney:

1. Don't wait! Report the injury to your supervisor immediately. Your rights may be jeopardized if you don't report the injury within statutory deadlines.
2. Get medical care ASAP. Then inform your employer of your medical condition and date of return.
3. Your employer must file a First Report of Injury. Look for a copy from the insurance company as proof that your claim was properly filed.
4. Benefits will be paid (or denied) within 14 days.

What are my benefits?

What you get depends on the severity of your injury and the amount of time you are away from work. At a minimum, all reasonable medical bills will be covered including chiropractic and physical therapy sessions. Here's a quick benefits summary:

• If you miss work temporarily...
  then you receive two-thirds of your wage loss for up to 104 weeks. This is called Temporary Total Disability (TTD), and it kicks in if you miss more than three days of work. However, there is a ceiling on this benefit (currently $615 per week, $750 per week for injuries after 10-1-2000).
• If you return at a lower wage...
  then you receive two-thirds of the difference between your old wage and new wage for up to 225 weeks.
• If your injury is permanent...
  then you receive Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) payments when your physician assigns a disability rating to your injury
• If you never return to work...
  then you receive two-thirds of your weekly wages with a minimum of 65 percent of the statewide average weekly wage. Referred to as Permanent Total Disability (PTD), this benefit is capped at the same upper dollar limit as Temporary Total Disability benefits, but is reduced by any social security disability benefits.
• If a worker is killed on the job...
  then his or her dependents may also be eligible for wage-loss, burial expenses, and other benefits. There is a minimum death benefit of $60,000.
• If you need help going back to work...
  there are benefits available. First have your doctor document any work restrictions you might have. Your company should find a job for you that fits those restrictions and pays close to your old wage. In some cases, you may need vocational rehabilitation services provided by a vocational caseworker (QRC) to assist you in returning to work. You may be entitled to retraining.

Working with an attorney is the best way to ensure that you can seek the full benefits you deserve. To discuss your case, contact an Atlanta workers' comp lawyer at our law offices.