Most workers in Georgia are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. If an injured employee cannot work because of their injury, they may be entitled to loss of income benefits. In this blog, our Savannah workers’ compensation attorneys discuss what you should know if you can’t work due to your workplace injury.
What to Do After a Workplace Accident in Georgia?
If you cannot work because of workplace injury, you may receive disability payments. However, you must follow specific steps to protect your right to benefits.
After an injury on the job, workers must:
- Report the injury to your employer immediately. Under Georgia law, you have 30 days to report an injury to your employer. Failing to report the incident before the deadline could result in the loss of supplemental income benefits.
- If you require emergency medical treatment, go to the nearest hospital or urgent care facility. For injuries that do not require emergency care, you must choose a doctor from an approved list provided by your employer.
- Inform all medical providers who treat your work injuries that your injuries occurred while you were at work.
- File a claim with the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation. Your employer should provide you with a Notice of Claim form.
- Follow all instructions from your physicians for your treatment plan, including when to return to work.
You may also want to discuss your workers’ compensation claim with an attorney. Understanding your rights and legal options is the best way to ensure you receive the benefits you are entitled to under the law.
Georgia Temporary Disability Benefits After a Workplace Injury
If you are out of work for more than seven days because of a work-related injury, you are entitled to receive temporary disability benefits. You should receive your first check about three weeks after you report your work injury. If you are out of work for over 21 days, you should receive compensation for the first seven days of missed work.
The amount of your supplemental income benefits depends on your level of disability and your average weekly wages. Total temporary disability equals two-thirds of your average weekly wages, subject to a state maximum cap.
Suppose your injury permits you to return to work with restrictions. In that case, you may receive temporary partial disability benefits if you do not earn as much as you did before the injury. The benefits equal two-thirds of the difference between your income before your injury and your income with work restrictions.
Georgia Permanent Disability Benefits After a Workplace Injury
Some workplace injuries may result in permanent disabilities. If you sustain a permanent disability, you should receive permanent disability benefits. Permanent disability benefits equal two-thirds of your average weekly wages for a specific number of weeks. The number of weeks you receive benefits is based on your impairment rating and the affected body part.
If you lose vision in both eyes or use more than one major body part, you may receive total disability benefits. Total disability benefits are also based on two-thirds of your average weekly wages. However, you receive total disability benefits for life.
Get More Information During a Consultation With Our Savannah Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
If you cannot work because of a work injury, you may be eligible for loss of income benefits. Call Parsons Law Group to speak with an experienced Savannah workers’ compensation attorney. We can help you file a claim seeking the maximum benefits for a workplace accident.