A job injury can wreck your upcoming plans and throw your life into upheaval. However, most Georgia employees can apply for state workers’ compensation benefits to lessen the financial burden resulting from sudden medical bills and missed work.
While this employee protection can be a lifesaver, it can be complicated to get the benefits you deserve, and insurance companies may delay or deny your claim unfairly.
If you’re struggling after a job-related injury, an experienced Blakely workers’ compensation lawyer from the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. can help you through this difficult time.
Our legal team offers informed guidance, fierce advocacy, and critical support to injured workers. Since 2010, our accomplished lawyers have successfully recovered top-dollar results in workers’ compensation claims for clients in the Peach State.
Case outcomes vary, and these favorable results speak to the level of skill we bring to every case. Your best interests are at the core of what we do.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you seek the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance mandated by Georgia law for all employers with three or more employees.
Qualifying workers can receive benefits for reasonable and necessary medical treatment, partial wage replacement, and rehabilitation services if they get hurt in a workplace accident or are diagnosed with an occupational disease.
Workers’ compensation benefits in Georgia are no-fault benefits, meaning the injured employee only needs to show they suffered a work-related injury to qualify. The trade-off is that they cannot file a personal injury lawsuit against their employer for the injuries they sustained.
However, they may be entitled to bring a personal injury case if someone other than their employer caused their injuries.
Why Should I Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Blakely, GA?
Hiring a Blakely workers’ comp attorney can make the process of seeking workers’ compensation benefits easier to understand and help you navigate any obstacles. At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., our knowledgeable attorneys can:
- Offer legal guidance – Applying for benefits and trying to comply with workers’ compensation law while you’re recovering from a serious injury can be confusing. We can review your case, inform you of your rights, and discuss how our law firm can help.
- Build a solid case – A strong workers’ compensation case requires a substantial body of supporting evidence. A skilled Blakely job injury lawyer can gather incident reports, medical evidence, witness statements, and financial documents to argue for maximum workers’ comp benefits.
- Negotiate with insurers – Insurance companies seek to protect their profits by minimizing payouts and denying claims. Our proven workers’ compensation attorney can advocate fiercely for the benefits you’re owed for medical bills, lost wages, and disability services.
- Represent you during appeals – If the insurance company refuses to negotiate fairly, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge from the State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC). Your attorney can represent you during the hearing and prepare for court if necessary.
Types of Work Injury Cases We Handle
Our Blakely, GA work injury lawyers handle a wide range of cases involving workplace accidents. We help claimants with injuries like:
- Back, neck, and spinal cord trauma
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee injuries
- Slip-and-fall injuries
- Work-related car accident injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Burns, cuts, and lacerations
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Toxic exposure
- Vision or hearing loss
Our firm can also handle third-party liability claims if another party’s negligence caused your injury. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys can investigate whether you can step outside the workers’ compensation system and file a separate lawsuit seeking financial recovery.
Steps to Take After a Workplace Injury in Blakely
When you get hurt on the job in Georgia, it’s essential to act quickly to protect your right to workers’ compensation benefits. Strict deadlines and requirements apply, so take the following measures:
- Report the injury – You must notify your employer within 30 days of the accident.
- Keep detailed records – Keep comprehensive records of medical treatment, communications with your employer, and any invoices, receipts, or bills related to your injury.
- Speak with a workers’ compensation attorney promptly – A lawyer can build a strong case and advise on potential missteps that could jeopardize your claim.
- File your claim – File a WC-14 form with the SBWC. Your workers’ comp lawyer can file this document for you.
How Long Do I Have to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Georgia?
Under Georgia Code § 34-9-82, accident victims have one year from the date of the injury or from the last medical treatment paid by the employer or insurer to file a workers’ compensation claim. Missing this deadline can mean losing your right to workers’ comp benefits.
What Happens if My Work Injury Claim Gets Denied?
Unfortunately, valid workers’ compensation claims get denied frequently. Insurers cite various reasons, such as lack of evidence, a dispute over the cause of the injury, or a failure to follow proper medical protocol. However, a denied claim isn’t the end of the road. You have the right to file an appeal. If you get to the appeals stage, it’s vital to consult an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Blakely. However, time is of the essence. You only have 20 days from the date of a claim denial to file your appeal.
How To Maximize Your Workers’ Comp Benefits
If you want to maximize your workers’ comp benefits, you should:
- Report your injury right away.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan.
- Keep a record of all relevant documents and employer communications.
- Don’t downplay or exaggerate symptoms. Insurers are always looking for signs of workers’ compensation fraud.
- Avoid discussing your injury on social media.
- Consult a Georgia workers’ compensation lawyer.
While insurance companies may fight to deny your claim, following these steps and listening to all advice from an experienced lawyer can help the process run more smoothly and reduce stress as you heal.
Contact a Work Injury Attorney in Blakely Today
It’s your legal right to seek full and fair compensation when you suffer a job injury. The legal team at the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. can help you fight for those rights, whether you’re filing your initial claim with the SBWC, seeking an appeal, or simply have questions about the workers’ compensation process. Contact us for your free consultation today.
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