When you sustain an injury, there are many consequences. In addition to bills for medical treatment and the pain that accompanies it, your injury could leave you unemployable. If your injury has taken away your ability to perform at work, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
At the Atlanta, Georgia, firm of Hilley & Frieder, our lawyers have been representing the victims of disabling injuries for over 35 years. Whether the claim needs to be mediated or tried, we can get the job done.
Have you suffered an on the job injury? You deserve the help of an aggressive lawyer. Contact our firm today for a free initial consultation.
At Hilley & Frieder, our lawyers fight aggressively for the rights of their clients to collect workers’ compensation benefits for disabling injuries, including:
If you suffered an injury at work and it is preventing you from doing your job, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation or disability benefits. For instance, if you have carpal tunnel you will likely be considered unemployable since you cannot use your hands for eight hours at a time. You need compensation to make sure you have an income going forward.
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault benefits system that is offered to most workers in Georgia. It allows injured workers to obtain financial compensation for their medical costs and lost wages if the injury occurred out of the course and scope of employment. The workers’ comp program does not require injured employees to prove fault or negligence to receive financial benefits. Employees are covered by workers’ comp from their very first day on the job.
If you suffer a disabling injury at work in Atlanta, you can file a workers’ comp claim by reporting the incident to your employer. Your employer will fill out and submit the required forms to file your claim. If accepted, the workers’ comp insurance company will pay for all of your related medical bills – past and future – as well as your lost wages. This includes disability compensation if you can only return to work in a limited capacity or cannot return to work at all.
Most workers’ comp claims pay victims for up to 400 weeks under state law. The amount of your weekly workers’ comp benefits will depend on the type and extent of your long-term disability. If you lose a limb, for example, benefits are typically awarded for 225 weeks under state law. However, if you suffer a catastrophic or disabling injury, you may be entitled to workers’ comp benefits for your lifetime. Our attorneys can help you seek maximum compensation for your disabling injury.
A personal injury suit could result in greater financial benefits than a workers’ comp claim for your disabling injury – including compensation for your physical pain, emotional distress and psychological trauma from a disabling injury. These damages can be especially important if you suffered a permanent injury. You may be entitled to these financial benefits if your employer or a third party caused your serious injury.
You may be eligible to recover through both a workers’ comp claim and a personal injury lawsuit in Georgia. This is true if a third party caused your disabling injury, such as a contractor or equipment manufacturer. Once you accept a workers’ compensation settlement, however, you cannot file a lawsuit against your employer. If you believe that your employer may have contributed to your injury through negligence, it is important to speak to an attorney about a potential personal injury lawsuit before saying yes to insurance benefits.
A disabling injury changes your life forever. You may never be able to return to the job you had before or restore your quality of life. The right attorney in Atlanta can help you get the most out of your injury claim to protect your future. An attorney can file a workers’ comp claim and/or personal injury lawsuit on your behalf, negotiate with insurance companies for maximum financial compensation, and help you find other outlets for financial assistance as a person with a disability, such as Social Security Disability benefits.
If a disabling injury has limited your ability to perform your job, we can help you get the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve. We will explore every possible source of compensation to put you in the best position to move forward.
Call our workers’ compensation attorneys toll free at 404-233-6200 today for a free consultation. You may also send us an email and a member of our team will reach out to you.
Ronald Hilley was the contributing attorney to this content.
