The workers’ compensation system provides injured employees with support following an accident at work. It covers the cost of their medical care and replaces some of their lost wages, regardless of who was at fault for the injury. The downside to this approach is that injured workers cannot sue their employers, which prevents them from recovering non-economic damages, including pain and suffering.
However, some limited exceptions may make pain and suffering damages available for injured workers. With the help of an Athens workers’ compensation lawyer from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers, you could get the outcome you deserve. Contact us today to learn how an Athens workers’ compensation pain and suffering attorney can help you.
Why Choose Bader Scott Injury Lawyers for Your Workers’ Compensation Pain and Suffering Case?
Our experienced team of Athens personal injury lawyers will use every tool at our disposal to ensure a positive outcome for your case. At Bader Scott Injury Lawyers, we have represented over 10,000 injured Georgians and recovered over $30 million in damages on their behalf. Attorney Seth Bader began his career as a lawyer for insurance companies, so he knows how they operate and can use that experience as a huge advantage to you.
We are here to fight for you and your family so you can get your life back after an injury. We promise you’ll be able to speak directly to your attorney when needed—not a paralegal or other middleman. We return all calls within 48 hours and will always send regular and timely updates about your workers’ compensation or personal injury case. You can trust our team to respect you and your right to financial compensation after an injury.
For a free legal consultation with a workers' compensation pain and suffering lawyer serving Athens, call (404) 888-8888
Workers’ Compensation Benefits Do Not Include Pain and Suffering Compensation
According to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation, all companies in the state with at least three employees generally must have workers’ compensation insurance coverage. Workers’ comp insurance generally pays for an employee’s medical care after a work-related injury or illness and replaces two-thirds of their lost wages while they recover. It also offers death benefits for family members who lose a loved one in a work-related accident.
Workers’ comp is a no-fault system, which means, unlike a personal injury claim, you do not have to prove someone else was negligent to recover benefits. Workers’ comp benefits are available to employees regardless of who caused the accident that led to their injuries.
In exchange for this streamlined approach to getting compensation for your medical bills and lost wages, you surrender your right to file a civil lawsuit against your employer or co-workers after a work-related injury. This means you generally cannot recover pain and suffering damages in a workers’ comp claim. However, you may have other options for pursuing non-economic damages not available in a workers’ compensation claim.
Athens Workers' Compensation Pain and Suffering Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Our Athens Personal Injury Attorneys Could Help You Pursue a Pain and Suffering Claim Under The Right Circumstances
While pain and suffering damages are not available through workers’ comp insurance claims, in some situations, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against a negligent party after a workplace injury.
Personal injury lawsuits allow you to seek a wider range of economic and non-economic damages than workers’ comp claims. However, if you do qualify for a lawsuit, your personal injury attorney must gather enough evidence to prove negligence.
An Athens workers’ compensation pain and suffering lawyer could help you with the following options.
You May Qualify to File a Third-Party Civil Lawsuit
The workers’ compensation system prevents employees from suing their employers or coworkers. However, it does not prevent them from suing third parties.
If someone other than your employer or coworker is liable for your injuries, you may be eligible to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit. Potentially liable third parties may include:
- Contractors
- Subcontractors
- Equipment manufacturers
- Makers or distributors of dangerous or defective products
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Cargo loaders
- Delivery drivers
While some of these parties might perform tasks in your workplace or provide the equipment you use, they are not employed there. If they negligently cause your injuries, you have the right to sue them for pain and suffering and other damages.
You May Be Able to Sue Your Employer For Intentional or Egregious Acts of Negligence
Although the law generally prohibits you from suing your employer after a workplace accident, you may be able to file a lawsuit against them in some rare circumstances. This is generally only possible when your employer is directly responsible for your pain and suffering due to an intentional act or egregious negligence.
Some examples may include if your employer deliberately injures you or fails to remedy a dangerous working situation, despite multiple warnings.
Our personal injury law firm can advise you whether one of these exceptions might apply to your case. Contact us today for a free consultation with Bader Scott Injury Lawyers.
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How Pain and Suffering Damages Work in Athens
There is a common misconception that personal injury compensation is only available for physical pain, but that is not the case. According to Food Lion, Inc. v. Williams, pain and suffering includes a wide range of physical and mental effects resulting from a severe injury, including:
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost quality of life
When you work with an Athens pain and suffering attorney from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers, we will help you fight for compensation for all the losses you’ve suffered. If you qualify to pursue a personal injury lawsuit, we will seek the full value of your lost wages and all the other economic and non-economic damages you are entitled to.
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Get Help From a Workers’ Compensation Pain and Suffering Lawyer in Athens Today
If you suffered a debilitating on-the-job injury, your workers’ compensation benefits will typically pay for your medical expenses and replace a portion of your lost wages. While there are limits on your ability to recover other damages like pain and suffering, our Athens personal injury lawyers at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers may be able to provide you with other legal options.
Contact us today for a free initial consultation to learn more about whether you may qualify to seek non-economic damages with assistance from an Athens workers’ compensation pain and suffering lawyer.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form