Georgia Workers Comp Board Finds Employer Liable for Employee Benefits, Lost Wages, & Legal Fees

The governing board of Georgia’s Workers’ Compensation system ruled that Calgary Roofing Contractors owed an injured employee temporary partial disability benefits for his injuries. After reviewing the employee’s credibility and supporting medical evidence, the board found that the employee’s injuries caused him decreased earnings.

The employee worked for Calgary Roofing Contractors as a roofer. While on the job, he fell off the roof. He injured his left ankle, left wrist, chest, and lower back. The employee notified the employer the next day.

Temporary Total Disability Benefits Awarded

The Board held that Employer was liable to pay benefits to Employee as as result of the injury. Employee stopped working for Employer immediately after the injury.

The employee stopped working for the employer after the injuries. He returned to work about 6 weeks after the accident. However, he was unable to continue as a roofer due to still-existing pain.

Nevertheless, the employee tried other forms of work. He went to work as a waiter for another employer. He lasted less than a week on that job. He was unable to do his duties due to pain.

The Georgia Workers’ Comp Board found that Calgary Roofing Contractors must pay employee temporary total disability benefits for the periods that employee was out of his roofing job. It also held Calgary Roofing liable for temporary total benefits from the time the employee left his waiter job until the date of the hearing. The roofing contractor was also to provide the employee with reasonable medical expenses.

Partial Wage Disability Benefits Awarded Too

The workers’ compensation Board also provided the employee with partial wage disability benefits. His disability is partial in character (meaning not his whole body) and temporary in quality (meaning it likely will not last forever). The Board said the employee was entitled to partial wage disability benefits for the time he returned to work roofing while still injured. He was also entitled to these benefits for the time he spent as a waiter, because he did not earn as much as when he was a roofer.

The Board awarded $3,750.00 in attorney’s fees to employee, which was determined to be the fair and reasonable fee for attorney services.

If you suffered an injury at a Georgia workplace, you should discuss your rights with a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible. To schedule a confidential consultation with a caring Metro Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyer, do not hesitate to call us at (770) 727-5550 or contact us through our website today.