How long it takes to negotiate a workers’ compensation settlement depends on your case. Hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer can help you protect your rights and provide you with legal advice throughout the entire claims process. Unlike a regular personal injury case, when you are injured at work, you won’t file a lawsuit. Instead, you will negotiate a settlement with your employer’s workers’ compensation provider.
If you don’t get a fair settlement offer, an attorney may recommend you pursue a formal appeal before an administrative judge panel. It is an opportunity to resolve your claim, but it will further lengthen your case’s timeline.
- The Timeline of a Workers’ Compensation Claim
- The Timeline for a Workers’ Compensation Appeal
- When to File Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
- How Bader Scott Made a Difference for One Family
- Contact an Atlanta Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for Help
The Timeline of a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Workers’ compensation cases typically follow a similar path when working toward negotiating a settlement. However, every work injury case is unique, meaning your case could take more or less time than average.
If you hire a workers’ compensation lawyer, they can provide insight regarding how long it might take to settle while accounting for other issues that may arise. Here are a few phases that your case may follow:
- Reporting the Injury to Your Manager or Employer
Before taking any further steps, you must report your on-the-job injury to the employer or manager. In Georgia, qualified employees have up to 30 days from the date of the accident to report it.
If you do not report your injury within the allotted time frame, then you may lose the right to compensation entirely. Once received, your employer will open a claim through its insurer to cover your work-related injuries.
- Obtain Medical Treatment and an Evaluation
After reporting your injury, you will need to receive a medical evaluation. You can select the physician based on an approved list of providers from your employer or the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC). The physician will establish the extent of your injuries and provide an opinion regarding your ability to return to work.
Make sure you comply with your doctor’s orders implicitly. Failing to follow his or her advice can negatively impact your claim. If you disagree with your diagnosis and treatment options, you may seek a second opinion from an approved provider.
- Reach Maximum Medical Improvement
Your doctor will determine the point at which you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). MMI signifies that your physician believes your injuries have healed or that you cannot improve your medical condition beyond its current state.
If you are not expected to return to MMI, the doctor will assign you a rating for your partial or permanent disability. The time it takes to reach MMI varies from person to person.
- Negotiate a Settlement
Next, you can submit your medical records to receive your workers’ compensation offer. The offer hinges upon the circumstances and facts of your workers’ compensation case and the level of injury you are facing. Based on your ability and timeline to reach MMI, you might need to negotiate additional benefits if you are not satisfied with the amount you received.
A workers’ comp attorney can help you fight for a fair settlement, which generally takes anywhere between a few weeks and several months. Some cases may take over a year. Your attorney will negotiate with your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer by presenting evidence, testimony, and expert opinions during this phase of the process.
You shouldn’t have to worry about workers’ compensation settlement negotiations; it’s our job to handle that for you. You deserve to focus on your recovery.
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Workers’ Compensation FAQs
My Job Isn’t Providing Guidance on my Work-Related Injury. What Steps Should I Take?Is Pain and Suffering Included in Workers’ Compensation?Will My Employer Find Out if I Hire a Lawyer?How Long Does a Workers’ Compensation (WC) Case Typically Last?What Is the Maximum TTD in Georgia?Can You Go on Vacation While on Workers’ Compensation?The Timeline for a Workers’ Compensation Appeal
If you receive a denial of benefits, you can apply for an appeal hearing. Administrative courts oversee workers’ compensation appeals. While administrative judges will hold hearings, they are separate from traditional civil court matters.
Engaging in a workers’ compensation appeal can add a significant amount of time to your case. Your attorney can keep you up to date on the status of your case and help you devise a strategy that works toward meeting your workers’ compensation needs.
When to File Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
The statute of limitations is a legal time limit by which you must file your workers’ compensation claim. In Georgia, you have up to one year from the date of your injury.
If you miss this deadline, you no longer possess the legal right to receive compensation. However, there are exceptions that apply to this rule in matters involving injured workers who have not reached MMI.
Once the employer and insurer receive your medical expense notice, they have up to 30 days to approve your benefits. Mileage reimbursement for travel is approved or denied within 15 days from the date of submission. Submitting your costs within the time limit will help you secure the money you need to pay for your work injury losses.
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How Bader Scott Made a Difference for One Family
When this worker suffered an amputation on the job, he didn’t know how he would support his family. Bader Scott showed him the respect and honesty he deserved, and in the end, they got him a fair settlement.
One look at our case results will show you what we have done for our clients. Each case and settlement is unique, but we have clients who have ended up with five- and six-figure awards. We will work hard to get you the maximum compensation possible.
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Contact an Atlanta Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for Help
While it is not possible to tell you how long your case will take until you’ve had a consultation, hiring a workers’ compensation attorney can help you set expectations. A lawyer can also protect your legal interests and rights while you focus on your health and recovery. It may be in your best interest to allow a legal professional to manage your case.
Bader Scott Injury Lawyers offers a free, no-obligation consultation to prospective clients. Our firm is available to answer your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call us now for yours. A team member is standing by to listen to the details of your case and inform you of how we can help. You don’t have to go through this alone and shouldn’t. We are here to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
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