Employees often work jobs where they are expected to perform duties with few to no breaks. This can lead to injuries or aggravate prior conditions. If you are a laborer who suffered an illness or injury during the course of your employment, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.
Workers’ compensation benefits in Clarkesville can give you peace of mind and provide for you and your family while you focus on recovering. A hardworking worker’s compensation lawyer at Smith Hulsey could advocate for your best interests.
Accidents in the workplace can happen under various circumstances. Some typical ones that lead employees to file workers’ compensation claims include the following:
If a laborer is hurt on the job, they should contact a Clarkesville workers’ compensation benefits attorney. At Smith Hulsey, our legal team could handle communications with Georgia’s State Board of Worker’s Compensation (SBWC) to secure the benefits the worker is entitled to.
After an employee is injured on the job and reports the injury to their supervisor and the human resource department, they have a total of 365 days (one year) to file a claim with SBWC (GA Code § 34-9-82). There are specific requirements a worker must follow when filing a claim. Using descriptive legal language can significantly increase the odds of receiving compensation.
After a worker files a claim using form WC-14, the company has three weeks to investigate the incident. If the company agrees with the claim, an employee typically receives the first payment within three weeks after filing the claim. However, an employee is barred from receiving any payments during the first seven days of missing work after the accident.
Often, the company contests the claims. In this case, a hearing will be held in one to three months. An employee can also request a hearing when filing the claim. If a worker loses at the hearing, they have the right to an appeal. However, they may have an overpayment assessed against them and be required to pay back any benefits received.
The employee injury compensation process can be complicated and confusing for many workers. A skilled Clarkesville attorney could investigate the situation, conduct interviews, and present convincing arguments to secure adequate workers’ compensation benefits.
Georgia’s Workers Compensation Act sets up a no-fault system for benefits. This means workers can receive payments for injuries even if they contributed to their accident. Pursuing workers’ compensation benefits means a worker cannot file a lawsuit against their employer; however, they could file a personal injury claim against a third-party company involved in the incident (O.C.G.A. § 34-9-1 et seq).
Seeking workers’ compensation benefits in Clarkesville is much easier with help from a seasoned attorney. Legal counsel could ensure you are adequately paid for your injuries and advise you on navigating the complex claims process.
Contact Smith Hulsey today to speak with a dedicated member of our team. We are here to listen to your situation and work with you on a strategy moving forward.
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