Workers’ compensation covers nearly all Georgia employees. Moreover, if you become injured or ill at work, you can receive certain benefits during your recovery. When you’ve been in a work-related accident, your priority should be to recover fully.
Accumulating medical expenses and your inability to work will almost certainly be a source of stress. Still, fortunately, workers’ compensation benefits are relatively comprehensive, and several categories of disability are offered.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits You Could Receive After Being Hurt on the Job
Employees who are injured or ill after a work-related accident can be provided with the following benefits through the workers’ compensation program:
- Medical benefits
- Supplemental wages/income
- Rehab support
- Death benefits for dependents
As long as you have evidence of certain damages, you will be paid an amount that covers them.
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How Workers’ Compensation Payments Work
If you cannot return to work after seven days, you can qualify for supplemental income to be paid weekly. You cannot receive a payment for the first seven days unless you cannot work for 21 consecutive days after your injury or illness, per (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-220).
As the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC) explains, total disability claimants can receive two-thirds of their income up to $675 per week (partial disability is $450). There is a minimum of $50 per week, and the maximum period a person can collect payments is 400 weeks from the injury date. If you have a catastrophic injury, benefits may be extended or become permanent.
Payment Schedule for Georgia Workers’ Compensation
- Your first income benefits should be paid 21 days after informing your employer of your work-related injury or illness.
- You should be paid income benefits weekly unless the SBWC has approved a different schedule.
- Your benefits may be paid by check, cash, electronic funds transfer, or another method you and your employer settle upon.
- If you do not receive the payment as scheduled, report this to your employer as soon as possible.
Workers’ Compensation Payment Types
The following are categories of workers’ compensation disability and how they are paid:
Temporary Partial Disability Payments (TPD)
After a work-related injury or illness, you may be forced to resume working, making less money than before you got hurt. Workers’ compensation should pay you weekly temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits when this occurs, as outlined in O.C.G.A. § 34-9-262. These benefits are how you are compensated for your partial wage loss.
To estimate your benefit amount, you will need to compare your wages after returning to work to your average weekly salary in your workers’ compensation claim (before your injury). TPD benefits are calculated as two-thirds of the difference between these two numbers, subject to a maximum of $450 per week.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Payments
Workers whose injuries result in permanent impairment to a partial degree may receive PPD benefits, as noted in O.C.G.A. § 34-9-263. When an injured employee recovers to the point of maximum medical improvement (MMI), their doctor can determine an impairment rating. PPD benefits are available only when the worker stops receiving TTD or TPD benefits.
Like TPD, PPD benefits are paid as two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly income but max out at a weekly amount of $675. These benefits are compensated to the injured employee for the number of weeks specified by the disability percentage their treating doctor designates.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) Payments
An employee injured at work who is entirely unable to perform at their job while recovering can collect temporary total disability (TTD) benefits (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-261). This can occur if an authorized health provider determines that a worker’s injuries or illness prevent them from returning to work. Again, weekly checks will be two-thirds of the worker’s average wage at the date of the injury, up to the maximum ($675).
Most workers can only collect benefits for 400 weeks. However, employees with catastrophic injuries (and completely disabled) are unlimited as to the number of weeks they can receive benefits, so for these individuals, workers’ compensation benefits can be lifelong.
If, at any time, an injured employee receiving TTD benefits recovers to a point in which they can resume working, workers’ compensation payments will stop. An authorized physician can certify the person to return to work, even if they must accept a job that pays less or offers fewer hours.
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Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help Determine Your Benefits
You are not required to retain an attorney for a workers’ compensation claim. However, if for some reason your employer disputes your claim or if there are complications that arise during your claims process, the guidance of legal counsel will likely be beneficial.
Lawyers who manage workers’ compensation cases can explain to you how payments work and what’s included. You can consult with one of our attorneys today if you have any questions about your specific claim and require legal guidance.
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Call Us About Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Today
If you would like to discuss the details of your injury, the workers’ compensation claim process, or identify any challenges you may encounter during this time, please get in touch with Bader Scott Injury Lawyers today.
If you wish to concentrate on healing and do not have the time or energy to navigate this process, you are urged to retain an attorney who can begin pursuing the compensation you deserve.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
