[[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I be fired while on workers\u2019 comp?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","name":"Answer - Can I be fired while on workers\u2019 comp?","text":"The simplified answer is yes.  Your employer can fire you while you are receiving workers\u2019 compensation, though if they do, you may be eligible for certain additional benefits. Before firing you, your employer should make a good-faith effort to find a new job that accommodates your work restrictions or alter your current position to meet those parameters.  If your employer does not do this, they may be breaking the law, so contact an experienced workers\u2019 compensation attorney right away.","@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/#Answer1"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/#Question1"},{"@type":"Question","name":"What happens if my employer retaliates when I make a workers\u2019 compensation claim?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Georgia is a \u201cright-to-work\u201d state, which means your employer can fire you for almost any reason, except discrimination or if you have an employment contract.  However, it is illegal for an employer to retaliate and fire you simply because you file a workers\u2019 compensation claim. They\u2019re also not permitted to retaliate in other ways if you file a claim, such as by unreasonably demoting you, denying you a promotion, or giving you a bad reference.  That said, your employer could legally fire you for other reasons.  It\u2019s essential to document your case and your conversations with your employer and then speak to a knowledgeable attorney if you believe you are being retaliated against at work for filing a claim.","name":"Answer - What happens if my employer retaliates when I make a workers\u2019 compensation claim?","@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/#Answer2"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/#Question2"},{"@type":"Question","name":"Are workers\u2019 compensation payments taxable?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Workers\u2019 compensation payments are not generally considered taxable.  This is true regardless of whether you receive weekly benefit checks or a lump-sum payment from your employer. If your employer or someone else tries to tell you that your workers\u2019 compensation benefits are taxable, talk to a lawyer as soon as you can.","name":"Answer - Are workers\u2019 compensation payments taxable?","@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/#Answer3"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/#Question3"},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can you get pain and suffering from workers\u2019 comp?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Workers\u2019 compensation benefits do not include reimbursement for pain and suffering.  Workers\u2019 compensation benefits only cover the cost of whatever treatment you need to treat your work-related injury, along with a portion of your missed wages and disability benefits (if you meet the necessary criteria).  Though you cannot sue your employer for a job injury, filing a third-party personal injury lawsuit could be possible.  This only applies if an outside party\u2019s negligence led to your work injury. For example, if you lost a hand because a defective chainsaw malfunctioned, you might be able to file a claim against the chainsaw\u2019s manufacturer.  A skilled workers\u2019 compensation attorney can investigate your case to determine whether you have a valid case for additional compensation.","name":"Answer - Can you get pain and suffering from workers\u2019 comp?","@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/#Answer4"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/#Question4"},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can you work while receiving workers\u2019 compensation?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"If your doctor clears you to work while you\u2019re receiving workers\u2019 compensation payments, your employer can make you report to work. That said, your employer also has to abide by whatever work restrictions your doctor says are necessary.","name":"Answer - Can you work while receiving workers\u2019 compensation?","@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/#Answer5"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/#Question5"},{"@type":"Question","name":"Who can be excluded from workers\u2019 compensation?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Certain groups of workers who are exempt from Georgia workers\u2019 compensation law, including:  Domestic servants Farmworkers Federal government employees Some corporate executives Railroad workers","name":"Answer - Who can be excluded from workers\u2019 compensation?","@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/#Answer6"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/#Question6"}],"name":"Workers\u2019 Compensation Laws in Georgia \u2014 FAQ","@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/workers-compensation\/laws-in-georgia\/"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Article","datePublished":"2022-01-19","url":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/workers-compensation\/laws-in-georgia\/","name":"Workers\u2019 Compensation Laws","headline":"Workers\u2019 Compensation Laws","description":"Many Georgia employees can receive workers\u2019 compensation benefits for work-related injuries and occupational illnesses. However, the laws on workers\u2019 compensation are complex, and the application process is document-heavy and deadline-oriented. A Georgia workers\u2019 compensation lawyer can be your best friend on the path to benefits. The trusted attorneys at Underwood Law LLC, are dedicated to helping injured employees get the full benefits they are entitled to under state law. We\u2019ll help you navigate the workers\u2019 comp system and advocate for your best interests at all times. \ufeff Contact us today for a free initial consultation with a Georgia workers\u2019 compensation...","dateModified":"2025-08-28","video":{"@type":"VideoObject","name":"Worker's Comp Law in Georgia","publisher":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCoUoZkUCDQD23qKa03cGBeg#Organization","description":"Ashleigh Thornton from Underwood Law LLC discusses the law that defines worker's comp in Georgia.","potentialAction":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=g1z7wXcwmoM#VideoObject_potentialAction","duration":"PT59S","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=g1z7wXcwmoM","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/g1z7wXcwmoM\/maxresdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/g1z7wXcwmoM\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/g1z7wXcwmoM\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/g1z7wXcwmoM\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/g1z7wXcwmoM\/default.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2024-05-22T21:19:02+00:00","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/g1z7wXcwmoM","interactionStatistic":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=g1z7wXcwmoM#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=g1z7wXcwmoM#VideoObject"},"mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/workers-compensation\/laws-in-georgia\/"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Silvia-2022-01-19T134903.414.png","height":628,"width":1200,"@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Silvia-2022-01-19T134903.414.png"},"author":{"@type":"Person","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/95c8dc61b4f525fa0e20e64d329527d4?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96,"@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/95c8dc61b4f525fa0e20e64d329527d4?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"url":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/blog\/author\/cw-srios\/","name":"Silvia Rios","identifier":11,"@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/blog\/author\/cw-srios\/#Person"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/workers-compensation\/laws-in-georgia\/#Article"}],{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/workers-compensation\/laws-in-georgia\/#BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Workers\u2019 Compensation Attorneys","item":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/workers-compensation\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Workers\u2019 Compensation Laws","item":"https:\/\/www.puttingpeoplefirst.law\/workers-compensation\/laws-in-georgia\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]