A catastrophic injury such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or severe spinal cord injury (SCI) can change your physical ability, permanently preventing you from returning to work after being injured. An injury of this severity will pay the most and for the longest period of time in a workers’ comp claim. If you suffered a severe injury in a workplace accident, an Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyer can help you apply for benefits.
If you were injured at work and wonder what work injury pays the most in Atlanta, a lawyer can help you understand your rights and your employer’s obligation. They can help you effectively navigate the workers’ compensation application process, gather all the necessary evidence to prove your inability to work, and fight for a favorable lump sum settlement, if applicable.
Types of Catastrophic Work Injuries in Atlanta, Georgia
A catastrophic work injury leaves a worker with a severe disability that leads to long-term or permanent impairment and inability to work, including:
- Back and spinal cord damage that could lead to paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries that cause severe disabilities
- Third- or fourth-degree burns that lead to lifelong limitations
- Limb loss via amputation, which may require the use of prosthetics
- Loss of hearing in one or both ears or vision in one or both eyes
This list is not exhaustive. If your injury is significant enough to change your life and limit or eliminate your ability to work and support yourself, it could qualify as catastrophic and qualify for a higher workers’ compensation payout.
What You Need to Know About Payouts for Catastrophic Work-Related Injuries in Atlanta
Workers’ compensation’s financial benefits for injured workers typically fall into one of the following three categories:
- Temporary total disability benefits (TTD): You cannot work for at least seven days but can return to work once you recover
- Temporary partial disability benefits (TPD): You can return to work after your recovery, but only at a limited capacity or lower pay scale
- Permanent partial disability benefits (PPD): You cannot return to work due to the loss of a body part, loss of use of a body part, or other catastrophic harm
The type and amount of compensation you can recover depends on the impairment rating you receive. Whether your compensation is capped (amount and duration) depends on these same factors.
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Workers’ Compensation FAQs
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Injured employees in Atlanta can receive up to two-thirds of their average weekly wage for a catastrophic injury. Weekly compensation financial benefits are capped at $800 per week, according to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC).
Once your treating physician concludes that you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), your benefits become permanent, and you will receive them for the rest of your life. The damage cap will still apply, but your monthly financial benefits will continue. In some cases, an Atlanta personal injury lawyer can help you negotiate a lump sum or structured settlement agreement.
Severely Injured Atlanta Employees May Also Get Lifetime Medical Benefits
Lifechanging injuries could require long-term—likely, lifelong—medical treatment. Your workers’ comp benefits should cover all necessary medical expenses. If your employer has a list of approved medical providers, you can choose from this list, with one change of physicians permitted without requiring employer authorization.
The workers’ compensation insurance company will cover medical bills related to the following:
- Emergency room care
- Hospital admissions
- Required medications
- Follow-up doctors’ visits
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Treatment-related travel
If you suffered a catastrophic injury, you can receive medical care for as long as necessary, even lifelong care.
An Atlanta Workers’ Comp Attorney Can File an Effective Benefits Application
Filing for workers’ compensation benefits can be a long and involved process. While you focus on taking care of yourself, your Atlanta catastrophic injuries lawyer can deal with the process for you, including:
- Application: Ensuring you file a complete application free of errors and omissions
- Wage assessment: Fighting for an accurate assessment of your average weekly wage
- Negotiation: Fighting hard for a fair and appropriate lump sum settlement when available
- Information: Defining Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws and how they apply to your claim
Workers’ comp lawyers also work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront and only compensate the personal injury law firm after they achieve compensation for you. If you do not receive compensation, you will not owe the law firm any legal or attorney fees.
An Atlanta Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help You Meet Your Legal Obligations
You are entitled to workers’ comp benefits from the first day of your employment. While your employer must meet their obligations, you, too, must take certain actions during the workers’ comp application process.
Your lawyer can:
- Help you meet the notification deadline: Per SBWC guidelines, you must report your injury to your employer within 30 days.
- Ensure you understand your treatment options: You typically must receive care from a physician on your employer’s approved list to qualify for medical benefits.
- Encourage you to get—and keep getting—treatment: A lapse in medical treatment could put the severity of your work injuries into question.
Meeting your obligations is an important part of your workers’ compensation claim. Your personal injury attorney will help you meet your obligations and ensure your employer meets theirs.
A Lawyer Can Also Help You Appeal a Denied Application
Not every workers’ compensation application is approved immediately. A denial of benefits does not mean you must stop fighting for your rights. If your initial application is not approved despite the severity of your injury, an Atlanta denied claims lawyer can represent you at each phase of the appeals process.
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Get Legal Support for Your Atlanta Work Injury Claim
If you were hurt at work, you can receive medical care and financial benefits. Our client-focused law firm will handle your claim and fight for the best possible financial outcome for you and your family.
Find out what work injury pays the most in Atlanta and what your work injury could be worth. Get a free claim review with one of our consultation team members at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers today.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
