Workplace injuries can disrupt your ability to earn a living and support your family. Whether your claim has been delayed or denied, a workers’ compensation lawyers at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. in Cumming can help you pursue the benefits you are entitled to. Call 770-205-8887 now to schedule a free consultation and discuss your rights as an injured worker.
Understanding the Benefits You Can Receive Through a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Georgia
Getting hurt on the job can leave you with more questions than answers. How will you pay your medical bills? When can you return to work? What if your injury is permanent? In Georgia, workers’ compensation exists to help injured employees cover their costs and keep some financial stability while they recover. But many workers don’t fully understand the types of benefits they may be entitled to after a workplace injury.
If you live or work in Cumming or anywhere in Georgia, knowing what compensation is available under the state’s workers compensation system can help you protect your rights and ensure you’re getting the support you deserve.
What Workers’ Compensation Covers in Georgia
Georgia law requires most employers with three or more employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This system is designed to help injured workers without the need to prove fault. In exchange, employees typically cannot sue their employer directly for injuries. The tradeoff is that workers receive guaranteed benefits if their injury or illness is job-related.
The types of compensation available fall into several categories. These benefits can vary depending on the severity of your injury, how long you’re out of work, and whether you have lasting impairments.
Medical benefits
If your injury is approved as work-related, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance must pay for all necessary medical treatment. This includes doctor visits, surgeries, hospital care, physical therapy, prescriptions, and even mileage to and from appointments.
However, you must follow specific rules. In Georgia, you’re typically required to choose a doctor from a list provided by your employer or insurance company. If you go outside of the approved list without permission, your bills may not be covered.
These medical benefits continue as long as the treatment is needed and considered reasonable by the authorized doctor.
Temporary total disability benefits
If your injury prevents you from working entirely for a period of time, you may qualify for temporary total disability (TTD) benefits. These are wage replacement payments made while you are unable to perform your job duties.
TTD benefits begin after a seven-day waiting period, but if you are out of work for more than 21 days, those first seven days are paid retroactively. In most cases, you can receive two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum set by state law. As of recent updates, the cap is $800 per week, but this amount may change over time.
You can receive TTD benefits for up to 400 weeks in most cases, or longer if you suffer a catastrophic injury.
Temporary partial disability benefits
Sometimes, workers are able to return to their job but in a reduced capacity, perhaps fewer hours or with lighter duties that pay less. If your new role results in lower earnings, you may be eligible for temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits.
These benefits provide partial wage replacement and are calculated as two-thirds of the difference between your previous earnings and your reduced income. Like TTD, TPD benefits have a maximum limit and are also available for up to 350 weeks from the date of the injury.
Permanent partial disability benefits
If your injury leads to permanent damage that doesn’t fully prevent you from working, you may qualify for permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits. Georgia uses a specific schedule to assign compensation based on the type and severity of the injury.
Once you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI)—meaning your condition is stable and unlikely to improve—your doctor will assign an impairment rating. That rating helps determine how much you’ll receive in PPD payments.
For example, if you lose the use of a hand or foot, the law provides a set number of weeks for which you can receive compensation. Other, non-scheduled injuries are evaluated using different methods.
Permanent total disability benefits
In rare cases, an injury may be so severe that you are unable to return to any form of work. If your condition qualifies as permanently and totally disabling, you may be entitled to lifetime wage benefits. These are typically reserved for the most serious injuries, such as paralysis or the loss of both eyes or limbs.
The process for proving permanent total disability can be challenging, and insurers may push back. Legal help is often needed to gather medical evidence and argue for maximum benefits.
Death benefits and funeral expenses
If a worker dies as a result of a job-related injury or illness, their dependents may receive death benefits through the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. These benefits include weekly payments to the surviving spouse and minor children.
The surviving family can also receive up to a set amount (currently $7,500 in Georgia) to help with funeral and burial costs.
Additional Considerations
While the benefits mentioned above represent the core types of compensation available, several additional rules and facts are important to know:
- No compensation is available for pain and suffering under workers compensation. The system focuses strictly on financial loss and medical recovery.
- You must report your injury quickly. In Georgia, you have 30 days to notify your employer after a work-related injury.
- Claims can be denied or disputed. If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision through the State Board of Workers’ Compensation.
- You may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation if you can’t return to your old job and need training for new employment.
Why speaking with a lawyer can help
The workers’ compensation system in Georgia is designed to support injured workers, but insurance companies and employers don’t always make it easy. Delays, denied claims, and reduced benefits are common. If your injury is serious, if you’re unsure about what benefits you’re owed, or if your claim has been challenged, legal guidance can make a difference.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you:
- Understand which benefits you qualify for
- Gather the necessary medical evidence
- Handle communication with the insurance company
- Represent you in hearings or appeals if needed
Being injured on the job affects more than just your paycheck. It can change your ability to work, your daily routine, and even your long-term health. The workers’ compensation system in Georgia provides a structured way to get help after a workplace injury, but you must understand your rights to get the full benefits you deserve.
Get Support from a Trusted Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Cumming
You don’t have to face the workers’ compensation process alone. Whether your claim has been denied or you simply need help understanding your benefits, a workers’ compensation attorney at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. can assist you every step of the way. Call 770-205-8887 now for a free consultation and let us help you protect your rights as an injured employee.