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 | FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS GEORGIA WORKER'S COMPENSATION |
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WHAT IS WORKER’S COMPENSATION? Workers’ Compensation is an accident insurance program, which may provide you with medical, rehabilitation, and income benefits if you are injured on your job. It also provides benefits to your dependants if you die as the result of a job-related injury. HOW LONG DID I HAVE TO WORK TO BE COVERED UNDER WORKERS’ COMPENSATION? You are covered from the first day on your job. HOW DO I KNOW IF THE COMPANY I WORK FOR IS COVERED BY WORKERS’ COMPENSATION? The law requires most businesses with three or more workers, including part-time workers, to have workers’ compensation. WHEN SHOULD I REPORT AN ACCIDENT THAT HAPPENED ON THE JOB? You should report any accident to your supervisor immediately. If you wait longer than 30 days, you might lose your benefits. WHAT DO I DO ABOUT A DOCTOR? Your employer is required to have a list of the names of at least six doctors posted. You may choose any of the six. You may make one change to another doctor on the list without the permission of the employer. WHO PAYS FOR THE DOCTOR? Your company’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier should pay for your authorized doctor’s visit if the injury was caused by an accident on the job. WHAT MEDICAL TREATMENT WILL BE PAID? All authorized doctor bills, hospital bills, physical therapy, prescriptions, and necessary travel expenses if injury or illness was caused by an accident on the job. WHEN DO I GET MY BENEFITS? You are entitled to weekly income benefits if you have more than 7 days of incapacity. Your first check should be mailed to you within 21 days after the first day you missed work. If you miss more than 21 consecutive days. You will be paid for the first week. HOW MUCH WILL MY WEEKLY BENEFITS BE? You will receive two-thirds of your average weekly wage. HOW LONG WILL I RECEIVE WEEKLY BENEFITS? You may be entitled to benefits for up to 400 weeks. Furthermore, your benefits may be reduced under certain circumstances after you have been released to return to work with limitations or restrictions. WHAT IF I AM ABLE TO RETURN TO WORK BUT CAN ONLY GET A LOWER PAYING JOB AS THE RESULT OF MY INJURY? You may receive a reduced benefit based upon your reduced earnings. WHAT KIND OF BENEFITS WILL I RECEIVE IF I HAVE A PERMANENT DISABILITY? You will receive weekly benefits based on the type of extent of your permanent disability as determined by the treating doctor. WHAT BENEFITS WILL I RECEIVE IF I LOSE A LEG, ARM, OR OTHER PART OF MY BODY? You will receive benefits based upon an amount set out by law. For example, if you lost an arm or leg, you will receive benefits for 225 weeks. CAN I BE COMPENSATED FOR LOSS OF SIGHT OR HEARING? Yes. CAN I RECEIVE BENEFITS IF I HAVE LOST THE USE OF A PART OF MY BODY? Yes. Benefits are based upon the extent of loss of use of a part of your body as determined by the treating doctor. CAN I BE PAID SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION AT THE SAME TIME? Yes, but social security benefits may be reduced. WHAT IF I DON’T RECEIVE MY WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BENEFITS? You must file a claim with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation within one year from the date of your accident. HOW DO I FILE A CLAIM? The State Board of Workers’ Compensation will provide you with Form WC-14 to file a claim. Call 1-800-533-0682, or write the State Board of Workers’ Compensation at: State Board of Workers’ Compensation 270 Peachtree St., NW Atlanta, GA 30303-1299 WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I FILE A CLAIM? If you do not receive any benefits, you may request a hearing before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation at the above address. A hearing is like a trial in the courts of Georgia. Your case will be decided by an administrative law judge who listens to both sides of the case and determines what benefits, if any, you should receive. The judge’s decision will be based on the law and the facts involved. WHEN WILL THE HEARING TAKE PLACE? The hearing generally will be scheduled within 45-60 days from the time the judge receives the request WHERE WILL THE HEARING TAKE PLACE? The hearing will generally be held in or near the county where you were injured. DO I HAVE TO HAVE A LAWYER REPRESENT ME AT THE HEARING? Everyone has the right to represent himself. However, your employer may be represented at the hearing by a lawyer. You may need help from lawyer in order to present your case properly. HOW MUCH WILL MY LAWYER CHARGE ME? The attorney fee will be based on an agreement between you and your lawyer, subject to the approval of the State Board of Workers’ Compensation. These are usually 25% of any settlement. 500 Chickamauga Avenue PO Box 876 Rossville, GA 30741 tel. (706)-866-8021 fax (706)-866-7437 |
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