How Does Workers’ Compensation Law Work in Atlanta?

If you have been injured while on the job, you understand how immensely stressful everyday life can be after a workplace injury. The medical bills pile up and the missed hours at your job add to the economic stress with which you are dealing on a daily basis. With all of these factors adding up all at once, one tends to feel helpless. Often, companies apply pressure to their insurance carriers to avoid paying the rightful total compensation for your injuries. There are many similar workers’ compensation situations; however,  each state has its own laws to govern workers’ compensation.  Georgia has its very own set of workers’ compensation laws; our Atlanta lawyers are knowledgeable. The law firm of Ted A. Greve & Associates, P.A. has skilled Georgia workers’ compensation lawyers that are up to date on all workers’ compensation laws. We are ready to help you with your workers’ compensation case. No matter if you have been recently injured on the job, if you are currently dealing with an existing claim, or if your claim has been denied, the legal staff at Ted A. Greve & Associates, P.A. can help you every step of the way during this legal process.

What is Workers’ Compensation?

The premise of workers’ compensation is to benefit all those involved, from you, to your employer, to your employer’s insurance company. Although, in multiple instances, the insurance company will try to deny your claim straight out of the gate. When an insurance carrier is hesitant to offer the injured employee the rightful compensation, our workers’ compensation attorneys will help to secure your workers’ compensation claim. Insurance carriers are always on the lookout for workers’ compensation fraud. Fraud happens when one employee tries to make a fake or exaggerated claim to acquire a big payout. There are also instances where employers may deny a claim, just to keep their insurance premiums from increasing. In a few severe cases, the employers have gone so far to try and cover up the accident and deny that it ever happened, If you are dealing with a workers’ compensation fraud your attorney will help you fill out the correct form.  

How Can I Receive Workers’ Comp Benefits in Georgia?

The best chance you have at receiving the correct benefits from workers’ compensation is to have a skilled attorney on your side. A competent attorney will be able to help you navigate through the complex legal process. Our Atlanta workers’ compensation attorneys will research and gather evidence to help build your case. Our lawyers will use detailed examples such as medical records, safety reports, and eyewitness testimonies to add to the levity of your particular case. The attorneys at Ted A. Greve & Associates, P.A. have experience in filing appeals for denied Georgia workers’ compensation claims. We will help you decide if seeking additional damages for your injuries is possible. In the state of Georgia, workers’ compensation includes coverage of medical needs, medical treatments, lost wages, and partial and permanent disability funds. There are certain times in workers’ compensation cases where a third party may be partially responsible for the injuries. One of our skilled worker compensation lawyers will be able to decipher if a third party had any fault in your injury. This is usually the case in manufacturer defect or defective piece of work equipment.

The state of Georgia requires that state employers with three or more employees must offer workers’ compensation insurance. Injured Georgia workers are given thirty days to file their “notice of injury” with their employer. It is crucial that you report any injury on the job to your employer as soon as possible. If you wait to report an injury, it can delay the legal process going forward. Once your file your injury claim with your employer, one of our firm’s workers’ compensation lawyers can help you file your form for the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation. Remember to be aware of all the requirements that must be addressed to move forward with your workers’ compensation case. It will be important for you to know the exact location of the accident. Your employer will need to have confirmed your employment. You will need to prove that your injury happened due to the course of your work and your work environment. Access to your wage records will be necessary. Once your injury has been reported, you will need to meet with a physician that is provided by your employer’s insurance. Usually, your employer will provide a list of doctors within their insurance network, and you will choose one to go to. Our lawyers can help you in choosing the correct doctor to see. We also will be able to recommend another doctor to visit if a second opinion is needed.

What Issues Could Prevent Me from Receiving Georgia Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

There is no guarantee that your workers’ compensation claim will go through without any hiccups. Sometimes the insurance company may decide that because of a lack of evidence that your injury was not due to work, or that it could even be a pre-existing condition. The law office of Ted A. Greve & Associates, P.A. has a legal staff that has witnessed numerous tactics that employers use to get out of paying workers’ compensation claims. We have even seen employers claim that the victim’s injury was caused by their own negligence. Some employers give their employees negative or unjust performance reviews. Our attorneys have seen workers be falsely accused of their injury already being healed. Any excuse that can be used to get out of workers’ compensation claims, our firm has seen them all. Our legal team is prepared to fight back and will even continue to fight through the appeals process if it is necessary.

In Georgia, independent contractors are not eligible to receive workers’ compensation. Many times, employers will try to take advantage of this and will falsely classify their employees as contractors to avoid paying for workers’ compensation. There are some cases where independent contractors can file for workers’ compensation. An independent contractor might be able to receive benefits if you had a structured work schedule from a third party. Also if your working conditions are not under your control, but under that of an employer, then you may be able to collect benefits. If completing your job is based on another individual or company’s means than workers’ compensation could be a possibility for you. The law office of Ted A. Greve & Associates, P.A. will take a good look at your specific case to decide whether your employer misclassified you as an independent contractor.

Meet with an Atlanta Workers’ Compensation Attorney for a Consultation

The Atlanta workers comp attorneys at Ted A. Greve & Associates, P.A. law offices will guide you through the legal process of workers compensation. We take pride in fighting for our clients’ rights and helping each client gain the proper compensation they deserve for their injuries. Our legal team is current and up to date on all Georgia workers’ compensation laws. We promise to work tirelessly on your workers’ compensation case to help you make the best legal decisions for your future. Please call our office today for a free consultation with one of our experienced Georgia workers’ compensation lawyers.