Workers’ Compensation: The Facts

You may have heard the term in conversation at the water cooler, or perhaps seen a commercial on TV that talked about workers’ compensation, or “workers’ comp” for short. But, what is it exactly?

Defining workers’ comp

Workers’ compensation is a special kind of insurance that all employers in Georgia with three or more employees must maintain that pays medical bills and a percentage of lost wages when a person gets injured on the job. If you were injured or made ill while on the job, you will likely be covered regardless of who was at fault.

I got injured; what do I do?

If you find yourself in a situation where you are sick or injured from work-related causes, here is what you should do:

Step 1: Get help: Ask your employer to send you to a doctor or go to the nearest emergency medical facility to get examined and treated immediately.

Step 2: Tell your boss: You only have up to 30 days after the accident to report it to your employer or your benefits could be denied. A good rule of thumb is to report the accident to a supervisor as soon as possible.

Step 3: Hire an attorney: An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer will know how best to help you get the compensation you deserve and will file the required documents with the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation.

Know your benefits

There are several different types of workers’ compensation benefits an injured worker or their spouse or dependents may be entitled to following a work-related accident including weekly income benefits, medical treatment, permanent partial disability, rehabilitation and death benefits. Each type covers a different form of loss, and some are short-term whereas others last much longer. To understand what types of benefits you are entitled to you need competent information and assistance from an attorney experienced in handling workers’ comp cases.