Injuries while at work in Georgia are all too common. When it happens unexpectedly to you, there may be medical and household bills to pay. All of a sudden, the income you normally expect is no longer available. You may be covered by workers compensation insurance which your employer could be required to provide on your behalf. There are times when it’s difficult to work out your entitlements or even whether your employer has any insurance at all, so you may find it easier to contact a worker’s compensation attorney. Employment in Georgia According to data held by the U.S. Bureau of Statistics in Georgia, 4,107,960 people are employed in a variety of occupations throughout the state. The main occupations are 643,570 in the office and administrative sectors, 342,590 are involved with the transportation sector which mainly includes the transporting of material. The sales occupations employ 449,070, which include jobs in small businesses as well as larger department stores. Jobs in the hospitality industry related to food preparation and waiting in restaurants employ 378,190 people. Georgia Workers’ Comp Insurance Requirements for Employers Georgia law states that all businesses which employ three or more workers, both full and part time, must take out cover for their employees with workers’ compensation insurance. Insurance is available through commercial carriers and it is the responsibility of each employer to make sure they comply with the law. Employers may be required to pay injured employees’ benefit weekly if they cannot go back to work for 7 days or more. Employees should get their 1st payment within 21 days following the 1st day they had to miss work. Employers are required to pay 2/3rds of an injured employee’s average weekly wage, but if the accident took place on or after July 1st 2016, the amount paid may not exceed $575.00 per week. Other Workers’ Compensation Insurance Provisions in Georgia The sorts of things payable through workers compensation include doctor and hospital bills, as well as prescriptions and physical therapy. Travel expenses are paid if the illness or injury was caused by a job related accident. All injuries that took place on or before 30th June 2013 are entitled to medical benefits for the rest of your life if required. If the accident took place on July 1st 2013 or after medical treatment costs are for a maximum length of 400 weeks since the date of the accident. However, if your injury is really catastrophic, entitlement to medical benefits for your lifetime may be possible. When You Are Not Happy With Your Workers’ Comp Claim If as an employee who has suffered an injury while working in any occupation in Georgia you think you have not been treated fairly when it comes to the amount that your employer has paid in worker’s comp, you shouldn’t ignore this and accept the amount you are receiving. You should arrange to talk to a worker’s comp attorney in Georgia who will help you get the worker’s compensation you are entitled too.
