You should consider hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer in Atlanta if your job isn’t providing guidance on your work-related injury. Your lawyer will take several steps to evaluate your injuries, determine how much compensation you deserve, and demand fair compensation from your employer’s insurance company.
An attorney’s services may allow you to prioritize your recovery and return to work as soon as possible. Until then, there are a few steps you can take after a work injury, starting with getting medical care.
Steps Every Injured Workers Should Take
Every injured worker should consider both their recovery and their workers’ compensation claim, and doing so means:
Step 1: Seek Immediate, Extensive Medical Treatment
Getting medical treatment as soon as possible is the most important thing you can do for your workplace injury case. It’s important to note that you must receive treatment from a doctor approved by your employer. You can likely find this information on a poster in a communal area like a break room. You can receive emergency medical care from any practitioner or emergency room. Our team can help you find the medical treatment you need.
When you receive treatment, tell the doctor that you suffered a work injury.
Step 2: Document Your Injuries and Treatment
Documentation can be vital to securing the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve. You should seek and keep copies of:
- Doctors’ diagnoses of your injuries
- X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and any other medical images of your injuries
- Medical bills
- Any other medical records
Your attorney can obtain any documentation that you have yet to receive. However, do not throw out anything that details your injuries or treatment.
Step 3: Don’t Force Yourself Back to Work
Many people force themselves to go back to work before they’re ready. Don’t do this. You can worsen your injuries and give the insurer a reason to stop paying you.
If your doctor thinks you’re ready to go back to work, but you don’t agree, you can get a second opinion. Our team can walk you through the process.
Step 4: Hire Your Workers’ Compensation Attorney as Soon as Possible
You should not wait to hire a workers’ compensation attorney from our team. Timing is important in your case because
- It is essential to document every stage of your injury, and an attorney will do that.
- Critical evidence of your work-related injury may be available for a limited period of time, and your lawyer will collect it as quickly as possible.
- The insurer may deny your claim or offer less in benefits than you deserve. If you don’t receive your benefits, you only have one year to file a claim.
You also have a limited time to file a lawsuit against a negligent third party if you qualify. A workplace injury attorney can help you determine whether you are eligible. Once you hire your lawyer, you will also be able to focus your attention on recovery (rather than trying to get guidance on your work-related injury claim).
For a free legal consultation, call (404) 888-8888
What a Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Will Do for You
Our Georgia workers’ compensation attorneys know workers’ compensation laws and how they apply to your case. We negotiate with insurers to obtain fair settlements for our injured clients. As we work towards a positive resolution to your case, our team will:
Investigate the Cause of Your Work-Related Injuries
We need to know exactly how and why your work-related injuries happened. Your attorney will:
- Contact your employer to see if they have any evidence that may be relevant to your claim
- Interview any witnesses who saw your work accident
- Work with experts in your professional field if their insight could benefit your claim
- Gain a complete understanding of the events that led to your injuries
The facts of your accident will tell us whether filing a lawsuit is an option for you.
Contact Your Employer and the Insurance Company as Necessary
We will deal with every party involved in your claim, including the insurance company. By dealing with the insurer, we will:
- Press your claim forward as efficiently as possible
- Protect you from bad-faith tactics and lowball settlement offers
- Receive immediate notice of settlement offers (and review those offers with you)
- Provide any information the insurer needs (and vice versa)
We are familiar with workers’ compensation insurance companies; we will handle them so you don’t have to.
Calculate Your Average Weekly Wages
In determining how much compensation you deserve, the insurance company will need to know your average weekly wage in the period leading up to your injury. We will calculate this for ourselves so we know exactly how much money you deserve.
Calculate and Document Your Medical Costs
Our team will gain a detailed understanding of your injuries and medical expenses, as these will be key factors in our settlement demands.
Negotiate a Settlement with the Insurer
Our firm will negotiate the settlement you deserve, holding the insurance company responsible for the coverage it is required to provide.
There are some cases where an injured worker can file a lawsuit against a negligent third party. As your attorney investigates the circumstances of your injuries, they will determine whether filing a lawsuit is a viable option for you.
Covered Losses in a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Per the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation, injured workers are generally entitled to benefits for:
- Medical expenses from a work-related injury
- Payment for two-thirds of your average weekly wage
There are rules related to what percentage of your income you can receive compensation for, as well as the maximum weekly payments you can receive. Our team is determined to obtain the entire financial settlement you are entitled to and not a cent less.
If there is a dispute around a workers’ compensation claim in Georgia, it is usually not about what kinds of coverage you are entitled to. Instead, the question will likely be how much money you are entitled to for your medical bills and lost income.
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Call Bader Law Injury Lawyers Today for Guidance About Your Work-Related Injury
You can hire a Georgia workers’ compensation lawyer from our team without paying any upfront fees or costs. Our firm accepts the cost of completing your claim, and we will only receive a fee if we win benefits for you.
Free consultations allow you to learn more about our firm and hear exactly how we can protect your legal rights and assist you with a workers’ compensation claim. Call Bader Law Injury Lawyers today for your free, no-obligation consultation.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
