Workplace injuries can affect your ability to work and cause significant pain, emotional distress, and financial pressure. However, if you sustained a workplace injury in Atlanta as a full-time, part-time, or seasonal employee, you would most likely be able to claim workers’ compensation benefits. This post looks at different examples of workers’ compensation claims and what you can claim if you’re injured on the job.
How Do I Know if I Qualify for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
Your injury must occur while at work or within the scope of your employment to qualify for workers’ comp benefits. Unfortunately, the process does not result in automatic payments. Many claims fail due to paperwork errors or when a worker fails to provide enough evidence to prove entitlement to benefits. However, a workers’ compensation lawyer can help prevent denying much-needed benefits.
For a free legal consultation, call (404) 888-8888
Examples of Workers’ Compensation Claims
The benefits you could receive depend on the severity of your injuries and how they impact your ability to work or return to work. Here are examples of the categories for workers’ comp claims.
Medical Benefits Only
Medical only applies to cases where the insurance company pays for medical bills such as doctors’ appointments and treatment costs, but not for lost wages. This coverage usually applies to minor injuries requiring treatment, but the employee can commence work within a day or two.
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) Benefits
Workers receive TPD when they can return to work but are limited in what they can do. As a result, injured employees may earn less if they can only work a specific number of hours or are restricted to certain types of work that pay less than the job they did before the accident. Thus, TPD payments make up for the difference in earnings. Workers can receive TPD for up to 350 weeks with a weekly cap of $483 per week.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) Benefits
Injured employees who cannot return to work after a workplace accident are eligible for TTD benefits. You will receive two-thirds of your average weekly income, up to $725 per week. In addition, TTD benefits continue as long as your doctor says you cannot work (for up to 400 weeks). Once your doctor releases you back to work, you could qualify for TPD benefits.
If you suffered a catastrophic injury that prevents you from returning to work permanently, you could continue to receive TTD benefits after the 400-week limit expires.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Benefits
Suppose you have a workplace accident that causes you to lose function in a body part. Or maybe you sustained an injury that continues to impair you after receiving treatment (e.g., back injuries).
In that case, you will likely qualify for PPD benefits once you reach maximum medical improvement. Then, per O.C.G.A. § 34-9-263, your employer will use a formula based on your disability rating (determined by your treating physician) to calculate how much you receive in weekly benefits and how long you receive them.
The higher your disability rating, the longer you will receive weekly benefits. In addition, you can challenge a decision about your disability rating if you think it is too low. Keep in mind that once you agree to a settlement amount, you cannot go back and change your mind later. Weekly benefits are paid at two-thirds of your regular wages for the number of weeks determined by your disability rating.
Fatal Workplace Injuries
Surviving family members could receive workers’ compensation benefits if the work-related accident caused the death of their loved one. Settlements include compensation for funeral and burial costs, lost future income up to a maximum of $725.00 per week, and medical expenses prior to their loved one’s passing.
How a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help
Our workers’ compensation attorneys can help ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about whether to accept a settlement and if it sufficiently covers the full extent of your injury. In addition, we will manage every aspect of your case from start to finish and help you appeal a decision about your claim when necessary.
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Get Free Advice From Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Today
The workers’ compensation attorneys at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers provide personalized support with workplace injury claims and appeals. We get to work on your case immediately, ensuring the accurate completion and timely filing of all paperwork. In addition, we could help if your employer denied your claim by gathering the evidence required to prove your entitlement to benefits.
Call and schedule a free consultation with our team today to get the help or advice you need about claiming workplace injury compensation.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
