Georgia Workers' Compensation

Injured Atlanta Cops Fight Workers Comp System
A front page story in the Sunday, May 24, 2009 edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution details the struggle of five catastrophically injured Atlanta police officers to obtain needed medical help from the City of Atlanta's workers' compensation office. Each of these police officers was injured in the line of duty - with injuries ranging from brain damage to paralysis arising from gunshot wounds to the spinal cord. (…)

How, When and To Whom Do I Give Notice of my On-the-Job Injury?
Several times a year, I get a call from an injured worker who is facing a denial from the insurance company on the grounds that no timely notice of a claim was filed. The Georgia workers' compensation statute contains two separate notice provisions, both of which must be met:
Notice to Employer
The Georgia Code says that an injured worker must give notice to his employer within thirty (30) days after his on-the-job injury. We advise our clients to give notice, preferably in writing, to a direct supervisor. The the sooner you give this notice the better. When giving notice to your supervisor you should be as clear as possible about the exact date and time you were injured and about exactly what happened. (…)

Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation Web Site - a Useful Resource
Our firm's blog and web site makes frequent reference to the Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation. The State Board functions as the court system for workers' compensation claims in Georgia. The Board is a creation of the state legislature and it uses different forms that what you might see in a Georgia State or Superior Court. (…)

Medical Treatment in a Workers' Compensation Case - What You Need to Know
If you are injured on the job and you are a covered worker under the workers' compensation law, your employer is required to provide you with medical care. However, as you may suspect, what you consider as reasonable and necessary care may not be the same thing as what your employer and its insurer want to provide. (…)

The Importance of Reporting Your Injury Completely and Thoroughly and Why an Incomplete Report Can Damage Your Case
One of the issues that I sometimes face arises from my client's initial report of his injury. When you are hurt on the job, you can help your case greatly by thoroughly and accurately reporting your injury. (…)

Revealing the "Return to Work Trap" in Georgia Workers' Compensation Law
What is the biggest trap that you can face in your Georgia workers' compensation case? Without question, issues relating to your return to work after being injured must be handled very carefully. (…)

Can a Hospital Bill Me Directly for Workers' Comp Related Treatment?
This morning I received a bill in my name for payment due. I called the establishment to inform them that this is a Worknman"s Comp claim and the employee there told me that it has not been filed with Workman's Comp Insurance Company . (…)

Workers Comp Claims For Wrist Repetitive Motion Injury
I work at a job where I am using a computer keyboard all day long. Over the past few months, my right wrist started to hurt and get numb at times. I reported my injury on November 28, 2006 to the Human Resouces Manager requesting for a keyboard tray from desk. (…)

Should I Return to Work if the Authorized Doctor Releases Me
Jodi, I am receiving TTD (temporary total disability) benefits and the authorized doctor told me that he is releasing me to return back to light duty work. Should I report to work immediately? (…)

What Are the Factors Used in Evaluating a Catastrophic Injury Case for Settlement?
I have been classified Catostrophic by GBWC and am totally disabled. Everyone concerned has no objections. My insurance Co. has said that they may want to settle. (…)

Will Workers' Comp Cover a Knee Replacement Arising from Years of Heavy Labor?
As I was loading a 400lb. piece of freight on an aircraft, my (L) knee twisted. I was sent to a clinic and evaluated that I might need a knee replacement. (…)

What is Two Year Old Case Worth in Settlement if I Have Returned to Work?
I was injured in a car accident in Dec. 2004 while on the job. Workers comp accepted responsibility and paid my medical and PT expenses. (…)

Should I Report My Injured Shoulder as a Workers' Compensation Injury?
Here is a question I received from a gentleman named Leon: Injured shoulder 11/16. Have seen Comp Dr. twice. Mentioned pain and 'popping' in shoulder. (…)

When is My First TTD Check Due from the Insurance Company?
I injured my ankle back in August. I have missed work, been place on restricted hours. I finally got sent to a specialist this past thursday. I start rehab on Monday. (…)

I Was Terminated After Reporting My Workers Comp Injury - Will That Hurt My Case?
I was in Savannah, GA. attending a seminar at my employer's request. On Thursday, 9/21/06, I slipped in the bathtub and suffered a spiral fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone in my left foot. (…)

Company Doctor Will Not Help Me - Is There Anything I Can Do?
My question is that, I've been out hurt for a year and 3 monthswith a crushed heel. I've seen 2 workers comp doctors and just saw a independent doctor. (…)

Medicare Set Aside Explained
North Carolina trial lawyer Chris Nichols has written a very useful description of how the Medicare Set Aside rules work in workers' compensation cases. He also notes that federal law also permits Medicare to pursue Set Asides in liability cases (although Medicare has not yet done this). (…)

New Job Injury Triggers Related Medical Problems - What is Compensable?
North Carolina workers' compensation lawyer Dan Deuterman recently wrote about one of his cases, Clark vs. WalMart, that ended up in the North Carolina Supreme Court. (…)
Will I Get Fired if My Employer Finds Out I Contacted a Workers' Comp Lawyer?
Do you think they will fire me if they know I have contacted you? I cannot afford to lose this job. I have a wife and 3 children at home. (…)