The frustration and pain resulting from an on-the-job accident or illness is often compounded by fears of mounting medical bills and lost paychecks from work you are missing during your recovery. You may be wondering when your compensation benefit payments will begin following the filing of your Worker’s Compensation Claim so you can breathe a little easier and focus on healing. Unfortunately, when it comes to Worker’s Compensation, timelines can vary greatly – making it all the more important to have an experienced Worker’s Compensation attorney by your side to help move the process along as quickly and painlessly as possible. The Edmonson Law Firm will endeavor to give you a 50,000-foot view of potential timelines based on our own experience handling Worker’s Compensation cases in Georgia.
Best Case Scenario:
According to Georgia Law, you are entitled to weekly income benefits if you are unable to work for more than 7 days. Your first check should be mailed to you within 21 days after the first day you missed work. You are entitled to these benefits for up to 400 weeks. For a catastrophic injury, you may be entitled to lifetime benefits. Under Georgia Workers’ Compensation Law, a “catastrophic injury” is defined in one of six ways: (1) spinal cord injury involving severe paralysis of an arm, a leg, or the trunk; (2) amputation of an arm, hand, foot, or leg involving the effective loss of use of the appendage; (3) severe brain or closed head injury; (4) second or third degree burns over 25% of the body as a whole or third degree burns to 5% or more of the face or hands; (5) total or industrial blindness; or (6) any other injury of a nature and severity that prevents the employee from being able to perform his or her prior work and any work available in the national economy for which such employee is otherwise qualified.
If your injury is not of a catastrophic nature, your benefits may be reduced after you have been released to return to work with limitations or restrictions. They may also be suspended if you are released to return to work with no limitations or restrictions. Meanwhile, for the treatment of your on-the-job injury, your company’s Worker’s Compensation insurance carrier will pay for your authorized medical treatment through their pre-approved panel of physicians. This includes all authorized doctor bills, hospital bills, physical therapy, prescriptions, and necessary travel expenses. You may also be entitled to medical and vocational rehabilitation. In order to achieve this best-case scenario, it’s imperative that you report your injury to your employer right away.
Another Possible Scenario:
If you report an on-the-job accident or illness, your employer may wish to validate its authenticity. This could potentially delay payment of your weekly income benefits as your company’s Worker’s Compensation insurance provider investigates your claim. Once your claim has been accepted, you should begin receiving your weekly income benefits within 21 days of their decision.
Worst Case Scenario:
In the event that your employer’s Worker’s Compensation insurance provider denies your claim, you can appeal their decision. Look to the experienced Worker’s Compensation attorneys at Edmonson Law Firm to help you navigate your way through the appeals process. Between scheduling a hearing date, compiling the necessary paperwork and prepping for your hearing, this process may set you back months. With many Worker’s Compensation Appeals won on behalf of the clients we serve; The Edmonson Law Firm is well-equipped to move the process along as swiftly as possible so you can begin receiving your weekly income benefits.
To discuss your Worker’s Compensation Claim or Appeal with a skilled attorney at Edmonson Law Firm, call us at 678-271-9111, email us at john@elf-legal.com, fill out our secure online contact form or visit our firm in person. We’re located at 924 Gainesville Hwy, Suite 200, in Buford and our office hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For answers in real time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, we also offer a live chat feature on our website at www.elf-legal.com.
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