How Much Does Workers Comp Pay In Georgia

How Much Does Workers Comp Pay? What To Expect In A Work Injury

Life can be full of unexpected surprises, and unfortunately, these surprises can include work-related injuries that can be costly and burdensome. Many things can lead to a workplace injury, such as overexertion, slips and falls, or dangerous equipment and machinery. For anyone in Georgia who has suffered from a work-related injury, understanding the benefits of workers' compensation and how much it pays out is vital. This blog post will look at how much does workers comp pay in Georgia, what to expect from a work injury, and other key points everyone should know.

What is Workers' Compensation?

The main goal of workers' compensation is to provide for the medical care of injured employees, as well as to partially replace income lost due to time away from work. Workers' compensation is a system of insurance that is funded by employers that helps to cover the costs of an employee’s medical care and lost wages due to an injury that occurred while working. Workers' compensation premiums are paid by employers, and in GA employers are required to carry workers’ compensation even if they only have one employee.

Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws are administered through the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (GSBWC). GSBWC provides a protection plan for employers, employees, injured workers and civil servants who are injured on the job. It gives medical care, wage replacement, and other benefits to those injured at work. The benefits’ amount and types of impairment are determined by the precise diagnosis of the doctor upon the injury.

How Much Does Workers' Comp Pay?

Workers' compensation benefits are dependent on the severity of the injury and the length of treatment. The more severe the injury or the longer the treatment, the higher the compensation will be. In Georgia, the maximum benefits workers’ compensation will provide per week for an injured worker is $675 per week.

To qualify for workers’ compensation benefits in Georgia, the employee must be able to prove that the injury was a result of the job. Injuries that occur during break times, while engaging in personal activities or for any reason unrelated to the job are typically not eligible. Furthermore, only physical or emotional injuries that have prevented or will prevent an employee from performing their normal duties are eligible for workers' compensation benefits.

Types of Injury Compensation

Injuries that qualify for workers' compensation include but are not limited to chronic illnesses and diseases, repetitive trauma injuries, physical injuries, emotional injuries, occupational illnesses, as well as death benefits for a worker’s dependents. Each type of injury has a specific compensation rate that matches the severity of the injury. For instance, an employee who suffers from a lost limb accident will be entitled to a higher rate of compensation than an employee who only suffered minor cuts and bruises.

In Georgia, the amount of compensation paid to a worker depends on the type of injury, medical treatment required, and the lost wages from being unable to work. This amount will typically be a percentage of the worker's average weekly wages for up to 400 weeks. For death benefits, the compensation will depend on the number of surviving dependents left behind.

Medical Treatment

The workers’ compensation system also provides for medical treatment of the worker’s injury. This coverage includes payments for doctor's visits, hospital visits, prescription drugs, therapy or rehabilitation, or any other medical treatments related to the injury. As long as the employee follows the doctor’s orders regarding the care and treatment of the injury, they will qualify for the medical benefits.

The Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation requires employers to provide a list of certain pre-approved doctors for employees to seek treatment from. These doctors are not only covered by workers’ compensation, but many of them specialize in treating work-related injuries. It's important that the employee choose a pre-approved doctor so that their medical expenses will likely be covered by the workers’ compensation program.

Compensation for Lost Wages

In addition to medical expenses, workers’ compensation can also provide compensation for lost wages. If the employee is unable to work due to their injury, they may qualify for Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits. These benefits are typically two-thirds of the employee's average earnings before their injury, paid for up to a maximum of 400 weeks.

For employees who are able to return to work but have been restricted from their customary duties due to their injury, they may qualify for Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits. TPD benefits are two-thirds of the difference between their post-injury earnings and pre-injury earnings, paid for up to 350 weeks.

Applying for Workers' Compensation

In order to be eligible for workers' compensation, the injured employee must report the injury to their employer as soon as possible and complete the proper forms. It is important that they keep a copy of any forms submitted and retain proof of the date of filing in order to ensure they are properly compensated for their work-related injury. It is also important that they file their claim as soon as possible so that they can start receiving their benefits as soon as possible.

If the employer or their insurance carrier fails to pay the employee's workers' compensation benefits, the employee can file a Claim for Benefits with the GSBWC. This must be done within one year of the incident or two years of medical treatment. The GSBWC typically examines each claim to determine if the employee is eligible for workers' compensation benefits or not.

Workers' Comp After Settlement

If the employee is able to reach a settlement with their employer or the insurance carrier, it is important to remember that all benefits not yet paid to the employee will be forfeited if the settlement is not approved by the GSBWC. If approved, the employee must wait until the appropriate paperwork is completed before the money is paid. In addition, the employee must also agree to not pursue any further claims against the employer or the insurance carrier.

Anyone who has suffered a workplace injury in Georgia may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits. Understanding how much does workers comp pay in Georgia can help ensure that employees are properly compensated for work-related injuries, as well as medical treatment and lost wages. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help ensure that the employee is properly compensated for their injury.