Work-related accidents are more common than many people realize. However, that does not make it any easier to cope with an unexpected on-the-job injury. When you have been electrocuted, and the injuries you have sustained have made it difficult or impossible for you to continue working, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
With help from an Athens electrocution accident attorney at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers, you can get the insurance company to pay and recover the funds you are going to need to get through these difficult times.
Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits You May Be Entitled To
After being involved in a work-related accident, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage should kick in. Every employer who has a minimum of three or more employees is required to provide their employees with workers’ compensation coverage.
When you are electrocuted at work, as long as your injuries occurred within the scope of your job responsibilities, you may be entitled to certain types and amounts of benefits, such as:
Medical Benefits
First and foremost, when your electrocution injuries have caused severe physical or emotional damages, all of your medical expenses will be covered by your employer’s workers’ comp insurance provider. This does not only include your co-pays or treatment for your electrocution injuries.
Every single medical expense related to your electrocution injuries should be taken care of. Examples of the types of damages that may be covered by your workers’ comp include:
- Diagnostic testing, such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans
- Costs of prescription painkillers or other drugs
- Costs of medical equipment, such as hospital beds, breathing devices, and prosthetic limbs
- Costs of making accommodations to your home, such as installing wheelchair ramps, widening doorways to accommodate wheelchairs, and more
- Costs of your future medical care as it relates to permanently disabling electrocution injuries
- Transportation costs to and from your healthcare provider’s appointments
Disability Benefits
In addition to getting your medical expenses covered, the insurance company will also be required to cover your disability benefits. Typically, these amount to approximately two-thirds of your average weekly earnings. However, there may be a maximum amount payable, depending on the circumstances of your case.
Generally, you can expect to continue collecting disability payments until you are capable of returning to work. However, there may be a maximum number of weeks allowable that you can collect payments before your workers’ comp benefits will be terminated or converted into permanent disability benefits.
Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
Electrocution injuries can be severe. You may no longer be capable of returning to work. If this happens, the insurance company should be required to cover the costs of helping you get back on your feet professionally.
The insurance company will cover the cost of your education or job training so you can find work in another industry. This way, you can slowly begin to rebuild your life after being involved in an electrocution accident.
Death Benefits
Death benefits are available to the surviving family members of a worker who has suffered fatal electrocution injuries. The insurance company will cover all of the decedent’s medical expenses, funeral costs, and burial expenses.
The surviving family members, including the decedent’s surviving spouse and children, will be provided with disability benefits to cover a portion of the decedent’s lost income.
For a free legal consultation with a electrocution accidents lawyer serving Athens, call (404) 888-8888
Filing a Third-Party Liability Claim
In addition to filing a workers’ compensation claim, you may also have the opportunity to file a third-party liability lawsuit against the person or party responsible for causing your electrocution injuries.
Workers’ compensation benefits may not be enough to adequately meet your needs and cover your expenses. If someone else is to blame, you may take legal action against them and recover the remaining losses the insurance company does not cover.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are financial losses. They include your out-of-pocket expenses, upfront costs, and any other damages that will directly affect you financially. Economic damages can take many forms. Examples of economic damages that could be paid out for your electrocution injuries include:
- Your remaining loss of income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Loss of household services
- Increases to your life or health insurance premiums
- Decreases to your credit score, which damages your credit report and opportunities for financial freedom
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages describe how your life may have been affected by another party’s negligent actions after an electrocution accident. Non-economic damages do not have a monetary value. It is more difficult to quantify them, since they are subjective and can impact each person’s life in a different way.
Examples of non-economic damages that may be paid out in an electrocution accident claim include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Skin scarring
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Inconvenience and embarrassment
- Shock and shame
- Fear and anticipation
Athens Electrocution Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
How Long Do You Have to File Your Athens Electrocution Accident Claim?
Whether you are filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits or bringing your case to trial via a third-party liability lawsuit, it is important to be aware of the deadlines in place that could limit your opportunities for financial relief.
For instance, if you are filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits and do not notify your employer within 30 days, it could allow the insurance company to deny you the benefits you would have otherwise received.
Additionally, according to O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, Georgia has a two-year statute of limitations in place for civil lawsuits. If your lawsuit is not filed in time, the court system can refuse to hear your case. Protect yourself by getting an Athens electrocution accident lawyer working for you as soon as possible after you have been injured.
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Contact an Electrocution Accident Attorney in Athens for Help Today
The injuries caused in an electrocution accident are often debilitating. If you are struggling to cope and do not know where to turn for help, do not hesitate to contact an Athens electrocution accident attorney at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
You can reach us through our quick contact form or by phone to get started on your workers’ compensation and third-party liability claims as soon as today.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form