When you file a workers’ comp claim because of injuries at work, it can be challenging to understand what exactly is paid. Each state workers’ comp is different and in Augusta, you can receive benefits for both medical expenses and lost wages as well as additional education to seek new employment. For help with filing your Augusta workers’ comp claim from start to finish, consider hiring an attorney with experience in workplace injury law.
Does Augusta Workers’ Comp Pay for Medical Treatment?
The laws for workers’ comp in Augusta allow employees to seek benefits for the necessary and required medical treatment they should need to help treat their injuries. This does not cover additional ailments that you have but works to help you recover from the injuries you received from a workplace accident.
The medical coverage under Augusta workers’ comp is quite comprehensive and does provide payment for your doctor visits, hospital stays and prescription drugs to treat your injuries. You may also receive compensation through workers’ comp for physical therapy if needed and if you were to require a prosthetic to replace a lost limb.
Your employer will cover the expenses for your medical treatment through their insurance provider. They will require that you see a doctor that is approved by their insurance provider for care. The law for workers’ compensation in Augusta requires that your employer provide you a panel of six doctors that are available for the medical care for your injuries.
If you fail to adhere to the law and see a doctor that is not approved by your employer, you run the risk of having to pay these expenses yourself. Your employer can deny payment of your medical bills under these circumstances, putting your workers’ comp benefits at risk and making you responsible for the coverage of these bills.
Does Augusta Workers’ Comp Pay for Lost Wages?
Many injuries that occur because of a workplace accident can result in time missed from work. This means you will lose out on your earnings during your recovery, which is why workers’ comp in Augusta helps cover a portion of these benefits.
If injured with a temporary disability that causes you to miss work, you would be paid up to 2/3 of your total wages with a maximum benefits payout of $575. Paid benefits are received for up to 400 weeks or until you are medically improved, whichever would occur first.
For injuries that are more severe and permanent in nature, payment occurs with up to lifetime benefits. Other injuries that caused you to lose a limb receive payment according to a schedule award determined by the severity and extent of your injury. Payment of these benefits occurs for life.
If your injuries allow you to work but in a diminished capacity at a lower rate of pay, you are eligible for supplemental income at up to 2/3 the difference of your previous average rate of pay. The maximum payment cap is $383, and payment occurs for a total of 350 weeks.
If your doctor releases to go back to work your benefits may end through workers’ comp depending on the extent of your injuries and the future ramifications of their effects. If your doctor releases you for light-duty work, you must return to your employer for work. Failure to return to your employer after you have been medically approved to do so can result in forfeiture of your Augusta workers’ comp benefits.
Does Augusta Workers’ Comp Pay for Death Benefits?
Death benefits occur under the workers’ comp program to surviving spouses, dependents and family members. This pays up to 2/3 of the deceased workers’ average pay to the family members. While losing a loved one because of a work accident can be devastating and unexpected, these benefits can help your family financially during your loss.
The benefits of workers’ comp also provide funeral expenses up to $7500 for a deceased worker.
What Else is Covered by Augusta Workers’ Comp?
Workers’ comp in Augusta also provides for mileage reimbursement to and from your medical treatments. This can be beneficial in providing you compensation for your travel expenses when the location of your doctor is in another city or state that is a long distance from your home.
Additionally, the workers’ comp program can help those that are unable to return to their previous employer because of the injuries they received. Workers’ compensation in Augusta provides vocational training and placement for those that need assistance in finding new employment.
Is There a Deadline for Filing Augusta Workers’ Comp?
It is always important to notify your employer when you are involved in a workplace accident. When an injury occurs at work, you need to let your employer know as soon as possible. You only have 30 days from the date of the accident to notify your employer that there are injuries that you received.
If you let the 30 days lapse and notify your employer that you were hurt, you may not be able to collect any compensation for your injuries. This could make your August workers’ comp claim invalid and cause you to receive zero compensation for your injuries. For this reason, it is important that you let your employer know that you have been hurt in a workplace accident as soon as it occurs.
You do not have to be concerned that a workplace accident was your fault as August workers’ compensation covers all injuries that occur at work. Even if you made an error that produced your injuries, you do not need to be concerned that you will not receive benefits as there is coverage for you under the workers’ comp program.
Consult with an Augusta Workers’ Comp Attorney Today
Understanding what is covered by Augusta workers’ comp can be difficult to comprehend. The Augusta workers compensation attorneys at Ted A. Greve & Associates can help. They can assist you in recognizing how the laws for workers’ comp in Augusta apply to you and what you can expect to receive compensation for your injuries. Allow an attorney at Ted A. Greve & Associates to help you navigate the complex workers’ comp system and get you the benefits you deserve. Contact them today for a consultation.
