NORCROSS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAWYER

Employees injured in a work accident could suffer short-term and long-term physical, emotional, and economic hardships depending upon the severity of their injuries. Whether you experience minor or major difficulties due to sustaining a job-related injury, a Norcross workers’ compensation lawyer may be able to assist you in recovering workers’ compensation benefits from your employer.

A knowledgeable attorney could explain the laws governing workers’ compensation claims so that you understand what is going on during the claim process. A dedicated lawyer could also litigate any potential workers’ compensation you may have on your behalf, increasing the likelihood that you receive reasonable workers’ compensation benefits for your injuries.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION EXPLAINED

Workers’ compensation is an insurance program that employers buy into in order to cover the costs of rehabilitation, medical, and income benefits if an employee suffers a workplace accident that either prevents them from working or limits their ability to work. The amount of benefits injured employees may receive and duration for which they may receive them largely depends on the extent of the injuries.

In Georgia, the law requires employers with three or more employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, under O.G.C.A. § 34-9-2, certain employers are generally exempt from carrying workers’ compensation insurance for specific classes of employees. These employees include:

To receive workers’ compensation benefits under this insurance program, injured employees need to file claims with the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation and their employers. If employees suffer job-related injuries in Norcross, a competent workers’ compensation attorney could help injured workers understand their rights according to Georgia workers’ compensation laws and file any potential claims with the Board and employees’ employer.

LITIGATING NORCROSS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS

Workers who file workers’ compensation claims in Norcross have two avenues through which to resolve their cases either by settlement or disposition by an administrative law judge after a contested hearing on the claim. Claimants can use one or both strategies to try to dispose of their cases.

Settlement involves negotiating with the employer or the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier to arrive at an agreement on the types, amounts, and duration for which injured employees will receive workers’ compensation benefits. In some instances, settling claims may result in favorable outcomes for claimants because they will receive benefits faster and avoid accumulating legal fees associated with litigation. However, in other instances, litigating claims during contested hearings may benefit injured employees, especially if employees’ injuries are substantial and their employers’ insurance carriers do not provide them with a reasonable settlement offer.

An experienced Norcross workers’ compensation attorney could help injured employees assess whether their employers’ settlement offers are reasonable based upon their injuries. Additionally, a skilled attorney could advocate for wounded employees during settlement negotiations and provide employees with zealous legal representation if having a contested hearing is necessary to resolve the claim.

TIME LIMIT FOR FILING NORCROSS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS

According to O.G.C.A. § 34-9-82, Georgia law imposes a one-year statute of limitations on most workers’ compensation claims, meaning claimants have one year from the date of the injury or the worker’s death to file claims. For those claims stemming from contracting an occupational disease such as black lung disease, claimants must typically file within one year of either knowing or being able to discover they have the disease. If claimants fail to file their workers’ compensation claims by the one-year deadline, they may lose their right to receive workers’ compensation benefits.

Based on workers’ injuries, a Norcross workers’ compensation attorney could help determine the timeframe by which workers must file their claims and timely file claims on their behalf, protecting their right to recovery.

CALL A NORCROSS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ATTORNEY TODAY

If you or your relative were injured or died because of a job-related accident, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. A Norcross workers’ compensation lawyer could help you recover compensation by reviewing your case and representing you throughout the claim process.

Call to schedule an appointment with an attorney today.