The benefits workers’ compensation covers includes medical expenses and lost income. This form of insurance offers a safety net in unexpected accidents and circumstances. Injuries at the workplace are unexpected and can leave you with serious injuries and expensive medical bills and no way to pay for them. This offers a guaranteed source of income and medical coverage if you are eligible for workers’ compensation.
If you or someone you care about suffered injuries in an Atlanta workplace injury, we encourage you to call S. Burke Law. There is likely a lot on your mind right now, and we may have some of the answers you are looking for. Calling us comes with no obligation to use our services and the initial consultation is free. You can reach us at 404-842-7838.
Workers' compensation offers the following benefits:
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses can be astronomical after a workplace injury. Workers’ compensation covers the following medical expenses:
- All authorized doctor bills
- Physical therapy bills
- Prescriptions
- Necessary travel expenses
Workers’ compensation benefits usually last 400 weeks in Georgia. But if your injury was particularly catastrophic, you may be entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits for life. For your employer's insurer to cover your medical care, you must receive treatment from an approved doctor. Your employer should have posted a list of approved doctors at your workplace. You can choose any doctor on that list.
Note: Workers’ compensation pays for your medical expenses directly. So, you should never see a single bill or deductible. If your employer or its insurer tries to charge you for your medical care, give us a call.
Lost Income
Workers’ compensation allows you to recover some of your lost income as well. You must miss at least seven days of work to be eligible for weekly income benefits in Georgia. Most workers’ compensation recipients receive their first checks within 21 days of the first day of missed work. If your injury requires you to miss more than 21 days in a row, you will also receive a check for the first week of work you missed.
Workers’ compensation pays you a percentage of your full income. It covers up to two-thirds of your income. To determine this amount, you calculate the average income you earned in the previous 13 weeks. However, workers’ compensation benefits in Georgia cannot exceed $575 per week. Like medical benefits, you can collect workers’ compensation income benefits for up to 400 weeks. In more extreme cases, you may be eligible for lifetime benefits.
Employees Who Can Participate in Limited Amounts of Work
In some cases, your workplace injury may not force you out of work entirely. Occasionally, injured employees can return to work, but they cannot obtain the income they could prior to their injury. In this case, your income benefits cannot exceed $383 per week.
Vocational Rehabilitation
If you suffer a catastrophic injury which leaves you with permanent limitation in the type of work you can get, your employer's insurer will need to pay for you to receive help finding a new job or learning a new skill.
Permanent Disability Payments
If your workplace injury left you permanently disabled, you are entitled to permanent disability payments as well. The amount you are eligible for depends on the type of injury and the full extent. It would also depend on whether or not you were able to participate in vocational rehabilitation services.
Call an Atlanta Workers’ Compensation Attorney
Recovering workers' compensation benefits can be difficult. If you do have any additional questions following your injury or your options about workers’ compensation, we encourage you to call a workers' compensation attorney at S. Burke Law. We will help you explore all your options for compensation. And because we handle your case on a contingency basis, you do not need to worry about any fees upfront. Call us for your free consultation today at 404-842-7838.