Henry County Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you recently fell victim to a workplace injury, you probably have plenty of questions and concerns about how you will pay for medical care and provide financially for yourself and your family while you are out of work. Fortunately, the workers’ compensation system in Georgia was designed to provide benefits to injured workers to help cover these kinds of expenses.
A Henry County workers’ compensation lawyer could explain your rights and guide you through the process of applying for—and, if necessary after a rejection, appealing for—workers’ compensation benefits. With their experience and expertise, a seasoned personal injury attorney may be able to ensure that you maximize your chances of receiving benefits and are treated with respect by the insurance companies that oversee these plans.
Types of Injuries Covered
Under the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act, any injury or death that occurs during employment in Henry County can be covered by an employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. To benefit from this, though, it is important for workers to understand how the law classifies injuries.
According to the Official Code of Georgia §34-9-1, injuries can be defined as either catastrophic or non-catastrophic. Catastrophic accidents include, but are not limited to:
• Amputations
• Major paralysis
• Extreme head injuries
• Severe burns
• Blindness
Non-catastrophic injuries, on the other hand, are less severe and may include broken bones, sprains, strains, and repetitive stress. Depending on the specific type of injury you suffer, a Henry County workers’ compensation lawyer could help an injured individual seek different workers’ comp benefits.
When Are Workers Covered?
Workers’ compensation coverage begins on a worker’s first day of employment. This is different than other employee benefits such as health insurance, which may begin up to three months after an employee has begun work.
Workers’ compensation insurance is also a no-fault insurance program in Henry County. This means an individual may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits regardless of who caused the accident, so long as they themselves did not cause it through horseplay or non-job-related actions.
Potential Benefits in Henry County
The workers’ compensation system provides harmed workers with certain benefits depending on their individual situation. A workers’ compensation attorney in Henry County may be able to help an injured employee recover any or all of the following benefits:
• Income Benefits – An employee may recover a portion of their usual weekly compensation while they are unable to work, up to a maximum of $525 per week
• Permanent Partial Disability Benefits – In the event that a worker suffers a permanent partial disability, such as losing the function of a finger or arm, O.C.G.A. §34-9-263 establishes a schedule of benefits that the injured employee may be eligible to receive
• Reimbursement for medical treatment – Workers may be entitled to receive up to 100 percent of their medical care expenses for authorized medical treatment
• Rehabilitation benefits – Workers may be entitled to rehabilitation benefits to help them recover and continue to function in their current job, or alternatively transition to another line of work due to injury.
Let a Henry County Workers’ Compensation Attorney Help
If you are injured in a workplace accident, your employer should work with you to secure workers’ compensation benefits. All too often, however, employers and insurance companies fight against injured employees and may even try to deny compensation.
A dedicated Henry County workers’ compensation lawyer could help you fight for your rights, so that you may receive proper recovery for your damages. To get started on your case, call today to set up a consultation.
