Although no one wants to experience getting hurt on the job, sometimes accidents happen. Whether it is the result of carelessness, machinery malfunction, or a slip and fall occurrence, accidents like these can be potentially devastating and life altering. If you’ve been hurt on the job, there are likely many questions you have in regards to fair compensation while you are out of work and simultaneously having to pay potentially costly medical bills. Our skilled workers’ compensation lawyers in Augusta are a smart choice when it comes to choosing someone to fight for your rights and to stand by you every step of the way in what might seem to be a long and daunting process.
What is workers compensation and how do I qualify?
According to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation, workers’ compensation is “an accident insurance program paid by your employer which may provide you with medical, rehabilitation and income benefits if you are injured on the job.” In cases where someone is hurt or fatally injured on the job, it is imperative that you be aware of your workers’ compensation rights and benefits. Every company with three or more workers is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to provide benefits to employees if they are ever hurt on the job. This type of insurance covers the employer from having to pay these costs out of pocket, and also helps to ensure that if you are ever hurt on the job that you get the proper compensation while you are out of work.
What are the most common types of injuries that happen on the job?
Although an injury can happen at virtually every job, whether you work in front of a computer or on a high-risk construction site, jobs that require a fair amount of physical labor tend to have the highest rate of workers’ compensation claims. Any duty that involves carrying or lifting heavy objects, working around large machinery, working with sharp or heavy tools or anything that requires an increased level of physical exertion are all jobs that commonly are associated with these types of claims. Jobs that require more physical energy have associated claims of sprains and strains, as well. Additionally, jobs like these also have a high incidence of slips and falls.
Research has also shown that employees that are younger or over the age of 55 are more susceptible to on-site injuries. Younger employees might get hurt because of lack of experience or intimidation when it comes to asking supervisors questions about how to correctly operate machinery and safety precautions. Employees over the age of 55 have been shown to sustain physical injuries such as sprains a little bit easier because of musculoskeletal aging.
The most common types of workplace injuries involved carrying and lifting heavy objects. Sprains, strains and inflammation were the top three complaints involving these types of injuries. Other common injuries often involve slipping and falling, which can happen anywhere. The third most frequent injury is related to impact with objects and structures. Complaints of getting hit by falling merchandise or direct impact with other heavy objects is quite common.
When should I contact an attorney about my workers’ compensation case?
There are laws in Augusta, GA that are put in place to ensure that those of us injured on the job can gain access to fair compensation to get us through the hard times associated with being hurt and out of work. While workers’ compensation insurance is designed to take effect if an occurrence like this happens, many times insurance companies will try to pay the least amount possible for your claim. You should contact an attorney if the following applies to you:
- You can’t return to your regular job or you can’t work at all – Many times, a slip and fall accident or on-site injury does not interfere with your day-to-day life and you are back at work in no time. Unfortunately, sometimes an injury is so severe that you cannot return to your previous job or you cannot work at all. If you’ve suffered permanent or partial injury or disability because of an at-work accident, you should contact an attorney to find out more about how to gain the most compensation from the insurance company so you can sustain your standard of living.
- The settlement between you and your employer is not sufficient – Oftentimes, a workers’ compensation judge will sign off on a settlement that seems fair enough. While this might entitle you to some compensation, this does not guarantee that the compensation will be enough to cover the wages that you have lost from being out of work. A skilled workers’ compensation attorney can help to ensure that you end up with an agreement that takes care of you and your family.
- You lose your job or get demoted as a result of the workers’ compensation claim – If your manager has fired or demoted you, treated you unfairly or reduced your pay as a direct effect of a workers’ compensation claim, then it is of utmost importance to contact one of our lawyers at Ted A. Greve and Associates as soon as possible. Any form of discrimination such as this is just reason to file a complaint.
- A third party is potentially involved – If there is a third party who was involved in the accident (for example, if you drive a delivery truck and are involved in an automobile accident where another motorist was at fault), then it is possible to receive workers’ compensation benefits and to sue the third party. These types of lawsuits can account for pain and suffering, along with the physical harms that your workers’ compensation claim covers.
Schedule a Consultation to Discuss Your Workers’ Compensation Case
While we hope that you are never in the situation where you have to contact us regarding your workers’ compensation case, if you have found yourself dealing with a claim like this, our Augusta workers compensation lawyers at Ted A. Greve and Associates in Augusta would like to help ease the pain of the entire process by helping you to obtain the best end result for you and your family. Contact us today for more information on your workers’ compensation case.
