Georgia workers’ compensation settlements vary widely because they depend on many factors, including the type of injury, the extent of the worker’s disability, and other unique facts. There is no lowest workers’ comp settlement amount, but an Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyer can help you understand how much your case might be worth.
Your attorney will review your case, determine a fair settlement, and explain what factors might play a role in the potential value of your case.
Which Georgia Workers’ Comp Cases Will Result in the Lowest Settlements?
Workers’ compensation claims that will likely have the lowest settlements will likely involve:
- Minor injuries that did not require the worker to miss much work
- Minimal medical expenses covered by the employer’s insurance
- Fully healed injuries that do not require future medical care or monitoring
- No long-term or permanent impairments
- No required future medical care
In these cases, the worker may need to file a claim to cover deductibles paid, transportation costs, or other relatively small bills. Often, injured workers do not have any outstanding expenses in these cases, especially if workers’ compensation paid for their medical care.
For example, imagine you slipped and fell at work and suffered an ankle sprain. You saw a doctor and filed a workers’ compensation claim. The insurance company covered your appointment, and the doctor cleared you to return to your desk job immediately with no restrictions. You are healed completely in a few weeks.
An Atlanta personal injury lawyer familiar with on-the-job injury cases can assess your options and determine whether you can pursue a payout through workers’ compensation for the damages you suffered.
For a free legal consultation, call (404) 888-8888
Understanding Workers’ Compensation Settlements in Georgia
The Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act governs workers’ compensation insurance in Georgia. This coverage provides benefits to employees who are injured on the job. These workers’ compensation benefits include coverage for:
- Medical expenses
- Wage losses in the form of Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits, Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits, and/or Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Death benefits
Settling a workers’ compensation case generally involves negotiating a one-time lump sum payment to resolve the claim instead of continuing to receive ongoing weekly payments for these benefits. The settlement, usually paid by the employer’s insurance carrier, should include the estimated future value of the worker’s medical expenses and wage loss benefits.
What Factors Influence Workers’ Compensation Settlements in Georgia?
Several factors can affect the potential settlement value of a workers’ compensation payout. These could include:
The Severity of the Injury
In general, relatively minor injuries that heal completely and do not require extensive treatment or physical therapy result in smaller payouts, while serious injuries with lasting disabilities or long healing times result in larger settlements.
The Worker’s Wage Rate
The workers’ compensation program uses the worker’s average weekly wage to calculate their wage loss benefits. These benefits generally pay about two-thirds of their usual wage, up to $800 per week, according to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC).
Any Future Medical Costs
If the worker’s injury requires ongoing medical care, this will increase the value of their case. The estimated cost of their future medical treatment will need to be considered when negotiating a settlement.
If the Worker Suffers a Permanent Disability
If a worker has lasting impairments because of their work-related injury, this will affect their settlement because it will increase their medical care costs and decrease their earning ability.
Documenting these new impairments could require expert testimony and also involve a permanent impairment rating assigned by a physician under the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.
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Protecting Your Rights When Seeking a Workers’ Comp Settlement in Georgia
Even if your workers’ comp claim involves a minor injury, you must consider the full range of expenses and losses you suffered and will continue to experience before agreeing to a payout. You will not get another chance to seek more money later, so your settlement must adequately compensate you for any potential future medical costs, including complications or support needs.
Insurance adjusters often offer low settlements to try to save money. Having an Atlanta workers’ compensation attorney on your side throughout the negotiation process can even the playing field.
Navigating the settlement process requires a strong understanding of the applicable workers’ compensation laws and resources to help you understand the potential value of your case. When you hire a workplace injury attorney, they can:
- Evaluate the fairness of a settlement offer
- Ensure you considered all possible future costs
- Use proven negotiation techniques to maximize your settlement
- Protect your rights
- Offer advice and guidance about when to accept an offer
When you have a personal injury attorney on your side, they can provide insight into your case. They will manage all communication with the insurance carrier and allow you to focus on your health while they handle the rest.
Even if you have already returned to work, having an attorney handling your claim and settlement negotiations can provide peace of mind that someone is safeguarding your best interests and looking out for your financial future.
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Discuss Your Georgia Workers’ Comp Settlement with Our Legal Team
While there is no set lowest workers’ compensation settlement in Georgia, certain factors could make your case a low-value claim. However, you should not assume your claim is not worth filing just because you had minor injuries or required minimal medical care. You should discuss your case with a Georgia workers’ compensation attorney from our team to ensure you are not overlooking any expenses or losses.
At Bader Law Injury Lawyers, our personal injury law firm fights for the compensation injured Georgians deserve. We are here to help you recover the money you need after an on-the-job injury. Call us today for a free, confidential consultation with our team.
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