Depending on your specific needs, negotiating a workers’ compensation settlement can take several weeks, several months, or even longer, depending on the circumstances of your case. Some factors that can influence the timeline of your claim include how quickly you begin the process by notifying your employer of your injury, the schedule of your doctor’s appointments, the process of negotiating an insurance settlement, and more. If you choose to work with a lawyer, they can tell you more about these important timeline requirements and can help ensure that you meet them.
There are several important timeline considerations for filing workers’ compensation claims that you may want to know about. For instance, you may want to wait to settle your claim until you receive a complete diagnosis and outlook for your injuries. If you accept an insurance settlement without obtaining a clear perspective on your recovery process, you may be losing money and jeopardizing your future wellbeing.
When considering how long a workers’ compensation settlement negotiation takes, you may want to take the time necessary to understand the true value of your injuries. That includes your medical expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity, and long-term disabilities.
How Long It Takes to Get Paid from a Workers’ Comp Claim
According to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC), if your claim is approved, your initial check should be mailed to you within 21 days of the first day you missed work. To qualify for weekly benefits, you must be unable to work for over seven days. If your injuries keep you from working for over 21 days, your check should include payment for your first week.
For workers’ compensation settlements, you cannot receive payment until your settlement is approved by the Georgia SBWC.
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How Much Money You Can Receive from Workers’ Comp Benefits
According to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC), you can receive up to $675 per week for income benefits – even though these benefits are meant to reflect two-thirds of your average weekly wages. However, you can also be compensated for your authorized medical expenses, which may range from hundreds of dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
According to Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyers, authorized medical expenses can include:
- Bills from a doctor’s office
- Hospital expenses
- Physical therapy treatments
- Prescriptions
- Relevant travel expenses if your injury was work-related
- And certain forms of medical and vocational rehabilitation
In the event that a work injury results in death, your dependents can receive a maximum of $675 per week. If you do not have any dependents, your surviving spouse is eligible to receive benefits up to $270,000.
How Much Time You Have to File a Workers’ Comp Claim
One of the early deadlines to be aware of in the claims process is reporting to your employer. The Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC) requires you to report your accident to your supervisor or employer within 30 days of the occurrence. If you fail to do so, you may lose your benefits.
In accordance with the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §34-9-82, you have one year to file a workers’ compensation claim with the insurer. If you do not file a claim in the appropriate amount of time, your right to compensation can be revoked.
For filing general personal injury claims, OCGA §9-3-33 assigns a two-year statute of limitations.
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The Most Common Accidents in the Workplace
Many workplace accidents are caused by slip and fall scenarios, hot surfaces, sharp objects, or falling debris.
Other common causes of workplace accidents include:
- Inexperienced workers
- A lack of safety equipment
- Misplaced cords, chairs, and other unseen objects
- Poorly built staircases
- Unsecured floorboards
- Loose nails
- Defective products or machinery
- Improper railings
- Exposure to toxic chemicals
- Uncleaned floors or slick surfaces
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Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Fighting for Your Future
At Bader Law Injury Lawyers, we know that workers’ compensation claims may not cover the true extent of your pain and suffering. If you are considering how long workers’ compensation settlement negotiations take, our attorneys can be there to help.
Whether you have an upcoming hearing with the SBWC, negotiating a settlement with an insurance provider, or anything in between, our firm can be there to fight for your case every step of the way. In addition to offering legal guidance throughout your case, our attorneys can also help gather evidence, calculate your losses, and much more.
You do not have to go through this alone.
To help you better understand your legal options moving forward, our team will offer you a free consultation today. To get started, contact a Bader Law Injury Lawyers representative at (404) 888-8888.
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