Dunwoody,GA Work Injury Attorneys

Dunwoody, Ga Work Accident Injury Attorney 

If you experienced an injury at work or are suffering from an occupational illness in Dunwoody, GA, you may be entitled to benefits and compensation. We have highly experienced and competent work injury attorneys serving Dunwoody.

The law mandates employers to carry workers' compensation insurance in the event an employee suffers injuries. In the state of Georgia, eligible workers are entitled to have their medical treatments covered and to receive a portion of their salary. 

 If you have experienced an accident at work and need assistance filing your work injury claim our Georgia Law Office can help you today. Contact Us Now. 

Understanding Compensation After a Workplace Injury 

You may be qualified for benefits through workers' comp which include medical care, rehabilitation expenses, and disability coverage to compensate for your lost wages. Each state has its own spin on these general rules, and the details can be complicated. For any questions about your workers comp coverage contact a workplace injury lawyer in Dunwoody, Georgia. The further is an explanation of each benefit type:

1. Medical Care: Benefits available through workers' compensation include hospital and medical expenses that are necessary to identify and treat your injury or illness. In general doctor visits, medication, and surgeries are covered. If you are in need of equipment (such as a wheelchair or special vehicle) to help you deal with your injury, workers' comp will likely incorporate that as well.
2. Rehabilitation: Benefits pay for medical and therapeutic care (such as physical therapy) needed to help you cope with and recover from your injury or illness. They also cover the care and training essential for you to regain the skills and abilities you need to return to work.
3. Disability: Benefits is to compensate you for wages lost while your injury or illness made it impossible for you to work. Disabilities are categorized whether they are total or partial, temporary or permanent. In the event your injuries are permanent you may also be eligible for social security disability benefits which would entail a separate claim be filed to the SSA. 

What are the legal terms of Workers' Compensation in Dunwoody, Georgia?

According to the the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 3 million were injured in workplace accidents in the private sector in 2010; just over 4,00 of those accidents were fatal. More than half of those injuries resulted in missed work days or restricted assignments.

Workers compensation law orders insurance coverage for on-the-job injuries or occupational disease. The procedure for filing a workers’ comp claim varies from state to state, but mostly always involves an employer, the injured employee, an insurance provider, and medical professionals. 

 Workers compensation in Dunwoody is a no fault system, constructed to provide benefits to employees’ while shielding them from lawsuits. Filing for workers’ comp is usually done at an accelerated process when being compared to personal injury claims.

Most employees will have medical costs covered and partial compensation for lost income (generally 50 to 70 percent of pre-injury wages) after an injury. On average, benefits don’t include compensation for pain and suffering. Serious injury cases could call for permanent or partial disability, rewarding in a permanent fixed sum and/or lump sum settlement.

Typically when filing a workers’ compensation claim fault does not need to be proven and many times matters can be resolved  without going in depth with the courts. Still, it's always a good idea to hire an experienced Dunwoody Workers Compensation Attorney when filing a work-related claim, legal statutes vary for every state and handling the insurance companies alone can turn into a complicated process quickly.   

Work injuries that are covered in Dunwoody 

• Aggravation of pre-existing conditions
• Injuries that transpired on company property or at a company-sponsored function
• Injuries caused by company owned assets, like mechanical equipment
• More serious injury cases include: diseases caused by exposures to hazards, such as benzene, asbestos or silica dust; rashes brought on by exposure to cleaning chemicals or gasoline.

Work injuries that are not covered in Dunwoody 

• Injuries resulting from horseplay at work
• Injuries sustained while drunk or in an impaired state
• Employees injured while traveling to and from work, (only a few states provide coverage) unless the transportation is provided by the employer.

What Georgia Workers Should Know About Their Employers

There are specific requirements that each employer must meet and rules that each injured employee must follow to have their workers comp claim covered. Here are some basics to be aware of:

1. The employer must provide a list of 6 approved doctors you may choose from to handle your injury; however if it's an emergency room situation, this rule does not apply to the initial
2. You must advise the employer of your injury within 30 days, failure to do so may result in denied benefits.
3. You will not be repaid for the first 7 days of missed work UNLESS you miss more than 21 consecutive days; at that point, you will be compensated for the first 7 days you were out. 
4.  You must follow all medical advice given by your treating physician; failure to do so may result in your benefits being suspended. 
5. If your doctor approved a return to work form at a different job within the company, you must attempt that job or benefits may be lost. 
6. If the injury was caused by the employees' failure to follow the employer's safety rules or policies, drug or alcohol use, or willful misconduct, benefits might be denied. 

The worker's compensation laws can be complicated and tricky especially when you don't know the legal guidelines and jurisdiction regulations about civil court.

Hiring an experienced Dunwoody Personal Injury Attorney will ensure that your case will be heard whether it be in front of a judge or negotiating with insurance companies your rights will be protected.  

 When is it Safe to Return to Work? 

Once you have reached your level of maximum medical improvement (MMI), your treating physician will complete a Return to Work Form. The form notifies your employer and the workers compensation representative that you are clear to return to work.

Depending upon your health status, your doctor may order lighter work duties while your injuries continue to heal. Your employer should apply the company's return to work policy according to your treating physicians orders.

An effective return to work policy includes:

1. Confirmation that your employer recognizes the nature and extent of your injuries, and your existing physical limitations
2. A plan to provide reasonable accommodations to allow you to return and ease back into your job safely, free from unnecessary pain and discomfort
3. Clear communication between you, your employer, and, your doctor to expedite your return to your former work duties as soon as medically advisable 

Deadline For Filing A Work Injury Claim 

Unless you are 100% certain that your supervisor or employer witnessed your accident, you must advise one of them about your accident within (30) days. If you wait longer than (30) days, you must put your accident in writing and there must be solid reason for the lag. This notice provision is a legal time deadline or "Statue of Limitations." Non-fulfillment to take legal actions with a legal or contractual time deadline may result in losing various rights and benefits. You must abide by the notice provisions, unless your employer was aware of your accident.

In the state of Georgia, notice of Claim, must be filed with the Workers' Compensation Board either:

• One year from the date of the last approved treatment paid for by your employer or its insurer
• One year from the time of injury
• Two years from the last installment of Workers' Compensation income benefits

Benefits your Dunwoody Work-Injury Lawyer Can Assist You With   

• Medical Care: Your medical bills will be paid for to help you recover from your work-related injuries;  however, your choice of doctors may be limited.

• Temporary disability benefits: If your work-related injury prevents you from doing your job normally and, as a result, you lose wages, you could receive temporary disability benefits. This option is usually only available after you've missed several days of work.

• Permanent disability benefits: If you aren't able to fully recover from your injuries, you may receive permanent disability benefits based on the nature and extent of your impairment or injury. An experienced lawyer can provide additional help in filing a disability claim with the Social Security Administration. 

• Death Benefits: In the unfortunate event that you die from a work-related injury or illness, your spouse or children may receive death benefits.

Some on the job injuries may not be considered under workers compensation law or workers compensation law may not be enough for a certain on-the-job injury, particularly in the case of very serious or catastrophic personal injuries. In these situations, our Dunwoody Workers' Comp Lawyers will identify a negligent third party such as a manufacturer of a dangerous or defective product or the maker of an improper safety device and prove their liability to your condition.  

The Work Injury Attorneys In Dunwoody, GA have the knowledge and experience you need

If you have suffered injuries while at work, our Dunwoody workers' compensation lawyers have represented thousands of cases just like yours and can help you gain financial compensation.  We will review your case, collect necessary medical records, file your injury claim appropriately, and answer all your questions.

We can help make insurance companies pay you deserved compensation or prove your employer is liable for your work-related injuries. Our Georgia Accident Injury Law Firm has a qualified staff that is committed to you and your case. Contact a Dunwoody, Ga Work Injury Attorney Today !