How to Apply for Workers’ Compensation in Winder

If you have experienced a workplace injury, you could be eligible for compensation. Most employees are covered by workers’ compensation, which provides benefits for injuries and illnesses that occur because of one’s job duties.

However, many people are unaware of how to apply for workers’ compensation in Winder. For help with the filing requirements, it is best to contact an experienced attorney. At Smith Hulsey, our legal team could work to increase your chances of a successful claim to get the benefits you need.

Impact of a Workers’ Comp Application

Workers’ compensation, or workman’s comp, is different from standard personal injury cases in that there is no at-fault party. The goal of workers’ comp is to ensure that injured employees have easier access to benefits.

This means that employees are not required to show proof that their employer was negligent in order to obtain workers’ compensation. However, if the injured party believes that negligence played a part in their accident, they will not be able to file a lawsuit against their employer and also receive workman’s comp benefits.

A skilled attorney at our firm could help injured workers determine whether or not they have grounds to sue their employers for negligence. If not, our lawyers could guide employees through each step of applying for workers’ compensation in Winder.

Possible Workers’ Compensation Benefits

In Winder, employees who sustain workplace injuries may be eligible for various workers’ comp benefits. Depending on the situation, benefits could include:

• Medical expenses
• Dependent benefits
• Income benefits

Medical expenses might include the cost of medical treatment, including rehabilitation, physical therapy, or travel costs for those who have to seek treatment in other cities or states. In the event of a workplace injury resulting in death, the dependents of the deceased may be entitled to benefits. These can vary depending on the circumstances. Those who have sustained injuries that prohibit them from returning to work for more than a week could obtain monetary compensation for lost wages.

A knowledgeable attorney might offer some clarity to claimants on the benefits they could qualify for. Knowing what to expect when applying for Winder workers’ compensation is crucial to successfully navigating the process.

Process of Applying for Workers’ Compensation in Winder

To ensure eligibility for benefits, an individual who has been injured on the job needs to file a workers’ comp claim within 30 days of the accident. The employee’s supervisor or manager should be informed of the injury as soon as possible.

Next, the injured employee will need to fill out a WC-14 form with Georgia’s State Board of Workers’ Compensation. The employer and their insurance company must receive a copy of the completed form as well. A dedicated local attorney could help with each of these steps in the process of applying for workers’ compensation.

Potential Obstacles for Workers’ Compensation Applicants

There are certain circumstances under which a workers’ comp claim could be denied. Some common reasons for denial are:

• Employee status – if the alleged victim has been fired or laid off from the job where they sustained their injury, their former employer may not be required to pay workers’ compensation benefits.
• Delayed reporting – if injured parties do not file a workers’ compensation claim within 30 days from the date of the accident, they might not be eligible for benefits.
• Lack of documentation – workers’ compensation cases in which the claimant fails to give a statement to the insurance company or provide written medical authorizations run the risk of being denied.
• Inconsistencies – if another employee did not witness the alleged injury or the medical findings did not corroborate the initial accident report, the case investigator may deny the claim.

What to Do if a Claim is Denied

If an investigator denies a workers’ compensation claim, the claimant can file an appeal. Working with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer at our Winder office might increase the injured party’s chances of appealing successfully.

Talk to a Winder Lawyer about How to Apply for Workers’ Compensation

When it comes to applying for worker’s compensation benefits, time is of the essence. If you have been injured on the job, reach out to the team at Smith Hulsey as soon as possible to learn how to apply for workers’ compensation in Winder. We are here to advocate on your behalf and pursue the benefits you need to recover from your ordeal. Call us today to set up a consultation.