Posted on Friday, May 1st, 2020 at 10:41 am
If you are injured while on the job, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, many injured employees do not know what benefits they are entitled to under Georgia law. At the law office of Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., our team of highly qualified workers’ compensation attorneys has a proven track record of success in protecting and defending workers’ rights after an accident. Call the office or contact us today to schedule a free consultation of your workers’ compensation case.
Temporary Total Disability Benefits
An injured worker is entitled to temporary total disability benefits if the injury keeps an employee out of work for more than seven days. The benefits kick in on day eight, and the worker is also compensated for the first seven days out of work, as well. The amount of temporary total disability benefits is two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage, capped at $675 per week. Temporary total disability benefits continue until the injured employee reaches maximum medical improvement or 400 weeks, whatever comes first.
Temporary Partial Disability Benefits
Workers’ compensation also covers temporary partial disability benefits if the employee is able to return to work but not at the same level as before the injury. These benefits are two-thirds of the difference between the worker’s weekly wage before and after the accident. Temporary partial disability benefits are capped at $450 per week and last up to 350 weeks after the injury date.
Permanent Partial Disability Benefits
Once an injured worker is at maximum medical improvement, a doctor can evaluate whether any permanent disability exists, and if so, how much. If the disability is permanent and total, workers’ compensation provides benefits at the rate of the temporary total disability payments for life. If the permanent disability is partial, an injured worker will continue to receive benefits based on a schedule of injuries. The percentage of disability is multiplied by that body part’s maximum number of benefit weeks to determine how long income benefits will continue. If the injury is to a body part not listed, the percentage of disability is multiplied by 300 weeks to determine how long income benefits will continue.
Other Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Other benefits that injured Georgia employees are entitled to include medical benefits for all reasonable and necessary treatment related to the work injury. Workers are also entitled to mileage reimbursement traveling to and from medical appointments as well as death benefits and funeral expenses if the work-related injury proves fatal. Death benefits are capped at $270,000 for a surviving spouse and any dependents and funeral expenses are capped at $7,500 under Georgia workers’ compensation laws.
Call or Contact Our Office Now
In addition to workers’ compensation benefits, you may be entitled to additional compensation for your injury. To learn more about workers’ compensation benefits in Georgia, call the office or contact us today at the Atlanta office of Jonathan R. Brockman to schedule a free consultation.