If you’ve been injured on the job, one of your first questions is likely, “How much does workers’ comp pay?”
How much compensation workers and their families may receive depends on the type of benefit—such as weekly wage replacement, medical coverage, or death benefits—and the specific circumstances of the injury.
The answer is different in every case, but Underwood Law LLC is happy to talk with you about yours.
Call our law office today or contact us online for a free consultation.
Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Georgia
Georgia workers’ compensation benefits provide medical care and wage replacement promptly for workers like you who are injured while performing their duties on behalf of their employer.
Injured employees may be eligible for different types of weekly benefits depending on the nature and severity of the injury and the date of injury.
You could be entitled to:
Medical Benefits
Workers’ comp will pay for authorized medical care reasonably required to treat your work injury for up to 400 weeks.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
TTD benefits are payable if your doctor keeps you completely off work while your injury is healing. These temporary disability benefits provide two-thirds of your average weekly wage (AWW). Your AWW is the average of your wages in the 13 weeks before your injury.
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)
TPD benefits pay 2/3 of the difference between your pre-injury AWW and your current wages, if you return to restricted work that pays less than your pre-injury job.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
PPD benefits are calculated based on your average weekly wage, the impairment rating your physician assigned, and the schedule of benefits listed in the Workers’ Compensation statute. Permanent partial disability benefits begin after temporary benefits end.
Death Benefits
If a worker dies as a result of a work-related injury, death benefits provide two-thirds of the deceased worker’s average weekly wage to eligible dependents, along with up to $7,500 for burial expenses.
How Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Calculated
Workers’ compensation calculations begin with the computation of your average weekly wage.
Your AWW is the average of the wages you earned in the 13 weeks before the week in which you were injured.
TTD benefits are paid at a rate of 2/3 of your average weekly wage. For example, if your AWW is $1200, your weekly TTD benefits would be $800.
PTD benefits are calculated this way: If your current light-duty job pays $900 per week, and your pre-injury AWW was $1200 per week, the difference is $300. Your PTD rate would be 2/3 of $300, or $200.
PPD benefits are more challenging. For example, imagine that you injured your arm at work. After your treatment is complete, your doctor assigns a 10% impairment rating. According to the Workers’ Comp schedule, an arm is valued at 225 weeks. 10% of 225 weeks is 22.5 weeks.
If your AWW is $1,200, 2/3 of your AWW is $800. Your PPD payment would be 22.5 weeks x $800, or $18,000.
Key Factors That Affect Your Workers’ Comp Pay
The primary underlying factor in your weekly workers’ compensation payments is your average weekly wage.
Nearly all workers’ compensation benefits are based on your AWW.
However, additional considerations include your medical expenses and your eligibility for vocational rehabilitation. If the insurer accepts your claim, these expenses will be paid to the providers throughout your case. If the insurer denied your claim, you can file a workers’ compensation claim and request a hearing with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation.
If you win your case, you should receive compensation for the medical expenses necessary to treat your injuries, for your lost wages, and for any vocational rehabilitation you need to return to work if your injury forced you to change careers.
Impairment Ratings and Their Impact on Your Benefits
Impairment ratings are a crucial part of the workers’ compensation process in Georgia, especially when determining the amount and duration of benefits for injured workers.
After you reach maximum medical improvement, your authorized treating physician will assign an impairment rating.
This percentage reflects the extent of permanent damage to a specific body part or your whole body. This rating is used to calculate permanent partial disability benefits, and it can also influence temporary partial disability benefits if you’re able to return to work in a limited capacity.
The higher your impairment rating, the more weeks of benefits you may receive.
For example, if your doctor assigns a 15% impairment rating to your arm, and the law allows up to 225 weeks for that body part, you would be eligible for 15% of 225 weeks in PPD benefits. This system ensures that workers receive compensation that reflects the lasting impact of their work injury.
Understanding how your impairment rating affects your benefits can help you make informed decisions and advocate for the compensation you deserve under Georgia’s workers’ compensation law.
Medical Expenses and Future Care Under Georgia Workers’ Comp
One of the most important aspects of workers’ compensation in Georgia is coverage for medical expenses related to your work injury.
This includes everything from emergency room visits and surgeries to ongoing physical therapy, prescription medications, and necessary medical equipment. Georgia workers’ compensation also takes into account the need for future care, especially if your injury requires long-term treatment or results in a catastrophic injury.
The Role of Insurance Companies in Georgia Workers’ Compensation
Insurance companies are central to the workers’ compensation system in Georgia.
They are responsible for reviewing claims, determining eligibility for benefits, and issuing payments for medical expenses, lost income, and disability benefits.
However, insurance companies often seek to limit their financial exposure, which can lead to disputes over the extent of your injuries, the necessity of certain medical treatments, or the calculation of benefits like temporary total disability and permanent partial disability.
For many injured workers, dealing with the insurance company can be challenging, especially when seeking fair compensation for lost income and ongoing medical care.
This is where a knowledgeable workers’ comp lawyer can make a significant difference. An experienced attorney can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, help you gather the necessary documentation, and advocate for your right to receive all the benefits you deserve under Georgia’s workers’ compensation law.
If you encounter delays, denials, or underpayments, legal support can be valuable in protecting your rights.
The Workers’ Compensation Settlement Process in Georgia
The workers’ compensation settlement process usually progresses in this way:
- You injure yourself at work.
- Your employer and their insurer approve your claim.
- You contact a seasoned workers’ compensation attorney to represent you and secure the benefits you need.
- You seek medical treatment.
- You are paid weekly TTD benefits while you’re off work.
- You reach maximum medical improvement (the point at which further treatment won’t improve your condition).
- You go back to work.
- Your doctor provides an impairment rating.
- You and your lawyer calculate your PPD benefits based on the impairment rating.
- Your lawyer submits a demand to the insurer for the PPD benefits and any unpaid medical expenses.
- Your lawyer negotiates with the insurer for an appropriate settlement.
- You sign the settlement agreement, which closes out your claim and prevents any future claims based on this particular accident.
- You and your lawyer receive a lump sum check for your settlement.
If you experience any difficulty with the workers’ compensation system or your workers’ comp claim is denied, reach out to our law firm for immediate legal assistance.
What Is the Average Workers’ Compensation Settlement?
There is no such thing as an average workers’ compensation settlement.
Each settlement is different because each is based on the injured worker’s AWW, the extent of treatment required, the part of their body that was injured, and the impairment rating they received.
The workers’ comp insurance company is likely to offer you as little as possible, especially if you have ongoing medical needs or a loss of earning ability. Consulting with legal counsel can help ensure your legal rights are protected during this process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workers’ Comp Pay in Georgia
Every injured worker who hires us has questions. Here are some we hear often. These answers may help you.
How long do I have to report my injury?
Under Georgia’s workers’ comp laws, you must report your injury to your employer within 30 days, preferably in writing. You will not be entitled to benefits until you report the injury.
Can I choose my own doctor?
No. Your employer is required to either post a panel of physicians from whom you may choose, or they must post the name of the Workers’ Compensation Managed Care Organization (WC/MCO) they’ve contracted with.
The posting for the WC/MCO must include a 24-hour toll-free number for the managed care representative who will assist you in scheduling an appointment.
When to Talk to a Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
You should contact a workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as you have received the medical care you need and reported your injury to your employer.
Disputes can arise almost immediately, and you should be focused on healing, not fighting with the insurer. Your lawyer can handle any arguments with the employer or their insurer about your average weekly wage, whether you require a particular type of treatment prescribed by the doctor, or whether you can return to work.
Talk to a Workers’ Comp Lawyer from Underwood Law LLC Today
At Underwood Law LLC, we have been serving injured people for over a decade.
We’re committed to doing what’s right for our clients, and we’ll explore all legal avenues to pursue the outcome you deserve.
We’ve secured millions in settlements and awards for our clients. Here’s what one of our satisfied clients had to say about working with us:
“Mr. Underwood and his staff were very helpful and understanding when it came to my needs and concerns about my case. I would definitely recommend their services to anyone in need.”
– D.L.
If you’ve been injured on the job, don’t hesitate to reach out for legal guidance.
Call the experienced workers’ comp lawyers of Underwood Law LLC today.
You’ll get a free consultation where we can discuss your case and advise you of your next steps to get the benefits you’re entitled to.
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