Authorities responded to the scene of an explosion Wednesday morning at a factory in Coweta County, Georgia. The blast happened at Bonnell Aluminum on Bonnell Street in Newnan. A plant official told FOX 5 five people were injured in the violent blast. One person was flown by helicopter to Atlanta Medical Center, two were taken to nearby …
Last fall, several state legislators proposed bills that would amend Georgia’s workers’ compensation law. One such change included providing workers diagnosed with a job-related cancer diagnosis the opportunity to pursue a claim and be entitled to benefits. House Bill 216 (HB 216), was enacted to amend section 34-9-280 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated …
Atlanta is bustling with new construction projects, some of which are very much in the public view. For instance, sports fans in Georgia are eagerly awaiting the completion of the new Atlanta Falcons’ and Braves’ stadiums, both slotted for completion in 2017. But workers on these construction projects face serious workplace dangers – being a …
It comes as no surprise that some jobs are extremely dangerous – when watching the news or reading the newspaper, it is rare to make it through a full day’s worth of news without hearing about someone who was hurt while performing their job. But what are the most dangerous jobs? According to a recent …
On February 25, 2016, House Bill 216 passed the Georgia State House and is presently before the Senate. This bill creates a rebuttable presumption that firefighters who are diagnosed with cancer developed the condition as a result of performing their job-related duties. This legislation will make it easier for Georgia firefighters to receive workers’ compensation …
Employers have the obligation to provide a safe work environment for their employees and, to their credit, most take this obligation very seriously. Larger companies, in particular, seem to go the extra mile to implement safety programs to mitigate the risks of workplace accidents. One of our local corporations – the Coca-Cola company – is …
A truck driving career is one that can be extremely lucrative. There is no boss breathing down your neck, and for some, that means a significant level of freedom. In exchange, however, there are also significant risks in this industry, some of which are high stress, long hours, and fatigue. For these reasons, tractor trailers …
Workers have basic rights. Employers must provide certain things to and for their employees. For one, employers must compensate employees for their work. Employers must pay for a job performed, and many workers receive perks in addition to their paycheck. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also notes that you are entitled to a safe …
An Atlanta firefighter was injured on November 28 when a piece of roofing material struck him in the leg while fighting an office fire. This injury is a reminder of the dangerous jobs that firefighters perform and illustrates one of the many hazards they face. It also serves as an example to illustrate the relationship …
In Georgia one of the only legal grounds for denial of a workers’ compensation claim is that the injured worker was intoxicated and that intoxication caused the injury. Because of the increased actuarial risks of intoxicated workers, the state has established a Drug Free Workplace program. This program sets rules for maintaining a drug free …
When you sustain injuries on the job or develop an occupational illness, you are generally entitled to certain benefits through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company. In order for your benefits to kick in, you will need to file a claim with the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC). Before filing your claim, it …
Although the workplace is one of the most common places that people get hurt, no one expects to be in an on-the-job accident when they head to work, nor do they expect to develop a work-related illness. It just happens. And with the injury or illness may come a severe financial burden. So if you …
Si su reclamo de compensación laboral es denegado por el asegurador de su empleador, querrá solicitar una audiencia con la Junta Estatal de Compensación Laboral (SBWC). Una audiencia de compensación laboral es similar a un juicio en un tribunal de Georgia. En la audiencia, el caso será escuchado por un Juez de Derecho Administrativo (ALJ), …
Personal Injury FAQs Can I Pursue Punitive Damages in My Atlanta Personal Injury Case?What Types of Personal Injury Cases Are Common in Atlanta?How is Liability Determined in Atlanta Personal Injury Cases?How Can I Protect My Rights When Dealing with Insurance Adjusters in Atlanta?When Should I Hire a Decatur Personal Injury Lawyer?What’s the Statute of Limitations …
A 42-year-old man performing maintenance work on a machine at a plant owned by Apache Mills, Inc. was injured when his hand was punctured and “injected with fluid from a leaking hydraulic line” according to an OSHA News Release. The injury required treatment in the form of a surgical shunt to drain the man’s left …
Traffic accidents are among the leading cause of workers’ compensation cases nationwide. Traffic and motor vehicle accidents ranked sixth nationally among the top causes of work related injuries in 2012. For this reason it is significant for workers in the Atlanta area to know that Interstate 285 in Georgia was recently ranked as America’s deadliest …
A welder was trapped in a piece of equipment at an asphalt plant in Waycross, Georgia in August. Based on the earliest reports, all that was known is that the 35 year old worker was cutting a piece of metal when safety equipment that was in place failed and he was trapped in a piece …
As a majority of workers throughout the country enjoy the day off on Thanksgiving, it is a good idea to keep in mind that not everyone gets the day off. There are a great many services that people rely on during the holidays without even thinking about it that require some people to sacrifice being …
Workers’ Compensation FAQs Can I Quit My Job While On Workers’ Comp in Atlanta?Can the IRS Take My Workers’ Comp Settlement in Georgia?Can I Collect Unemployment After a Workers’ Comp Settlement in Georgia?Does Surgery Increase a Workers’ Comp Settlement in Atlanta?How to Calculate a Workers’ Comp Settlement in GeorgiaWhat Work Injury Pays the Most in …
If you receive workers’ compensation benefits and your employer offers vocational rehabilitation services, you must cooperate and utilize the services or risk catastrophic injury benefits. One of the first objectives of vocational rehabilitation is to assess the worker for aptitudes and abilities and attempt to identify suitable employment options. Vocational evaluations can provide helpful insight for …
Under Georgia workers’ compensation law, when Atlanta workers sustain injuries on the job, they are entitled to medical and income benefits. The amount and duration of the benefits depend on the type and degree of disability the injury caused. For catastrophic injuries, there is no cap on the duration a worker can receive benefits. When …
Surveillance is a tool employers/insurers sometimes use in Georgia workers’ compensation cases. An insurer might hire a private investigator to conduct surveillance on you, essentially hoping to catch you in the act of doing something your doctor has advised against or a limitation you said you had. If they do collect photos or videos of …
Workers’ compensation benefits include medical coverage for workers who’ve sustained a workplace injury or illness. In order for the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance to cover the injured worker’s medical expenses and pay disability benefits, the injury must be the result of a work accident or related to work. Establishing causation in Georgia workers’ compensation cases …
If your workers’ compensation claim cannot be resolved amicably or has been wrongly denied, you or your attorney can request a hearing with the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The judge will hear both sides of the case, review all submitted evidence and make a determination (decision) about the claim. If the claim is approved, the ALJ will issue …
Workers’ compensation witnesses in Atlanta can be extremely instrumental in proving an employee’s claim. Depositions and testimony from witnesses can be submitted to the State Board of Workers’ Compensation during a hearing with the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). If you are filing a workers’ compensation claim, you will want to speak with a work injury attorney if …
If your workers’ compensation claim is scheduled for a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), you and your attorney will have to meet Georgia’s workers’ compensation medical record requirements. You must gather and prepare sufficient evidence to support your claim. The ALJ will listen to both sides of the story at the hearing and give each side …
If your workers’ compensation claim is denied bv your employer’s insurer, you’ll want to request a hearing with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC). A workers’ compensation hearing is akin to a trial in a Georgia court. At the hearing, the case will be heard by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), per Georgia workers’ compensation …
If your workers’ compensation claim has been wrongly denied or you cannot reach a fair settlement with your employer, you will have the opportunity to request a workers’ compensation hearing in Atlanta with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). These hearings are referred to as evidentiary hearings. The State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC) will not schedule …
Are you looking for information on the Georgia workers’ compensation and Social Security disability offset? If you are receiving or applying for workers’ compensation benefits and are contemplating filing for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits, you should be aware that your workers’ compensation will likely affect your SSD payments. So, before you apply for Social …
If you disagree with your settlement terms, a medical decision, rehabilitation issues, or other aspects of your workers’ compensation case, one option for resolving the differences of opinion is through mediation. Here are a few things you might want to know about workers’ compensation mediation in Georgia. Issues You Can Mediate With the Georgia State …
