Workers’ compensation covers anyone who suffers accidents and injuries at work or while engaging in work-related activities. Workers’ compensation provides a layer of security and coverage for employees. There are a few factors required to receive workers’ compensation.
If you or someone you care about was involved in an accident at work, we encourage you to call S. Burke Law to know your rights after a workplace accident. Our team of attorneys has represented the citizens of Atlanta in a variety of personal injury cases in the past 20 years. Workers’ compensation cases represent a significant portion of our cases, and we will walk you through your options. Our consultations are always free. Give us a call at 404-842-7838.
Employees Eligible for Workers’ Compensation
Employers and employees alike must meet certain requirements to be eligible for workers’ compensation. In Georgia, all employers must offer workers’ compensation benefits to their employees if they have at least three employees. Those employees can be full-time, part-time, or seasonal.
Workers' compensation covers employees if they meet certain standards. The following is a list of requirements an employee must meet to obtain workers' compensation benefits:
- The employee must not be an independent contractor.
- The employee’s injury must occur at work.
Types of Injuries Covered by Workers’ Compensation
Like we mentioned above, workers’ compensation covers injuries at work while engaging in work-related activities. For example, let us say you are a painter painting a room on a ladder. Falling off a ladder and breaking your arm would make you eligible for workers’ compensation.
But you do not have to be present on the employer’s property to collect workers’ compensation benefits. For example, delivery drivers are also eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. If you are an employee who delivers products to supermarkets, you would still be eligible for workers’ compensation even though you did not suffer your injury on the employer’s property. This is because the injury occurred while performing tasks associated with your role.
Instances When Employees Are Not Eligible for Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation covers most workplace injuries. However, it does not cover employees in all situations and for all injuries. Like most personal injury situations, the context of your accident can influence your ability to collect funds. The following are examples when you cannot collect workers’ compensation:
- Injuries suffered while committing a crime
- Injuries suffered if you started a fight at work
- Self-inflicted injuries
- Injuries suffered while you engaged in actions that violated company policies
Benefits Covered by Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation provides a safety net for employees injured at the job. If your injury was particularly serious, workers’ compensation is very valuable to personal injury victims. The following details some of the benefits you can collect from workers’ compensation:
- Wage benefits: Lost wages often represent the most significant cost of a work-related injury. Workers’ compensation in Georgia covers up to two-thirds of your average weekly wages. Workers’ compensation determines what that amount is by calculating your average salary from the previous 13 weeks. However, the total amount covered is up to $575 per week.
- Medical benefits: Your injuries represent a significant source as well. However, you should never receive a bill. Workers’ compensation medical benefits cover the costs of hospital stays, physical therapy, and more. There should be no deductible for these services. Your workers’ compensation insurance company should pay all of your expenses directly.
A Workers' Compensation Attorney Can Help You Apply or Appeal a Denial
Workers’ compensation is valuable to anyone who suffers an injury at the workplace. It certainly provides a nice safety net for any victims of workplace injury. Unfortunately, recovering these benefits can be difficult. Workers' compensation insurers want to save as much money as possible. In some cases, this may lead to your employer's insurer wrongfully denying your claim. A workers' compensation attorney can help you fight for the benefits you deserve.