In Georgia, the workers’ compensation system ensures that injured workers receive financial support while they recover. The maximum weekly benefit for workers’ compensation in Georgia is two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a limit of $800.
If you suffered a preventable injury at work, you may be entitled to compensation. An Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyer can review your case and help you put together a claim.
What Is the Maximum Weekly Workers’ Compensation in Georgia?
Georgia law sets clear limits on how much an injured worker can receive in weekly workers’ comp benefits. As a result of legislation passed in 2023, the maximum weekly benefit for most wage-loss payments is capped at $800 per week. Here’s how it works in practice:
- Basic weekly benefit formula: You are generally entitled to two-thirds (66⅔ %) of your average weekly wage (AWW) before the injury.
- Maximum weekly benefit: Even if two-thirds of your AWW exceeds the cap, the most you can receive under state law is $800 per week.
- Minimum weekly benefit: The floor remains $50 per week (or your actual AWW if it’s less than $50).
- These limits apply to temporary total disability (TTD), permanent partial disability (PPD), and other wage-loss benefits.
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How Georgia Calculates Workers’ Compensation Benefits
In Georgia, workers’ compensation benefits are based on your average weekly wage (AWW) before the injury. The state generally provides two–thirds of your AWW to replace lost income, up to a limit of $800.
Your AWW typically includes regular wages, consistent overtime, and bonuses, while excluding reimbursements and unrelated benefits. The resulting benefit is meant to reflect your pre-injury earnings while staying within the limits set by state law.
Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Georgia
Workers’ compensation benefits in Georgia vary depending on the severity and nature of your injury. Types of compensation you may be eligible for include:
- Temporary total disability (TTD): This benefit is paid when you cannot work at all while recovering from your injury and continues until you reach maximum medical improvement or return to work.
- Temporary partial disability (TPD): This benefit is paid when you can work in a limited capacity but earn less than before your injury. It is calculated as two-thirds of the difference between your pre-injury wage and your current wage.
- Permanent partial disability (PPD): This benefit is paid when your injury causes a lasting impairment that reduces your earning ability. The exact amount depends on the body part injured and your impairment rating.
- Permanent total disability (PTD): This benefit is paid when you are unable to return to any gainful employment due to your injury. Injured workers often receive the maximum weekly benefit for life or until vocational options become available.
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Other Benefits Covered by Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation in Georgia covers more than just weekly disability payments. Injured workers are generally entitled to medical benefits that cover doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription medications, physical therapy, and any necessary medical equipment, typically at no out-of-pocket cost.
Additional benefits may include vocational rehabilitation if you cannot return to your former job, death benefits for surviving dependents if the injury proves fatal, and reimbursement for travel expenses related to medical appointments.
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Factors That Can Reduce Your Weekly Benefit
Even if you qualify for workers’ compensation, these factors can lower your weekly payments:
- Pre–existing conditions: If your injury worsens an old condition, your benefits may be reduced to account for the pre-existing impairment.
- Partial work capacity: If you are able to work part-time or in a limited role, your temporary partial disability benefits may be lower than full weekly payments.
- Failure to follow medical advice: Ignoring prescribed treatment or missing medical appointments can result in a reduction or suspension of your benefits.
- Late reporting: Failing to report your injury to your employer promptly may jeopardize your claim or delay payments.
An attorney can help you avoid these mistakes and obtain the maximum possible compensation available to you.
Injuries That Qualify for the Maximum Benefit
Not all work-related injuries automatically qualify for the maximum weekly benefit in Georgia. The $800 weekly cap generally applies to injuries that result in total wage loss or permanent disability. Examples of these types of injuries include:
- Severe fractures or broken bones that prevent you from working for an extended period
- Traumatic brain injuries or head injuries that significantly limit your ability to perform job duties
- Spinal injuries that cause paralysis or permanent loss of mobility
- Amputations or severe loss of limb function that reduce or eliminate your ability to work in your previous role
- Multiple serious injuries sustained in a single workplace accident that result in total disability
Consult a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Georgia
If you were hurt at work, the actions you take next will affect the amount of compensation you receive. A Georgia workers’ compensation attorney from Bader Law Injury Lawyers can guide you through the claims process and help pursue the maximum possible benefit.
Book a free consultation to find out how you can get paid for your injury.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
