Although it is a nationwide program, each state has its own set of guidelines, laws and rules governing worker’s compensation. In Georgia, workers’ compensation is an accident insurance program paid by your employer. It is designed to provide the employee with medical, rehabilitation and income benefits if injured on the job. The goal of the benefits is to help the employee return to work. It also provides benefits to the employee’s dependents if the job related injury results in the death of the employee.
Job Related
For worker’s compensation to apply, the injury must be job related or take place on the job in the scope of the employee’s job duties. For example, if a person is a driver for a company but while he is out on the route, he stops and picks up someone else who is NOT an employee and then while still off his route, he is hit by a truck and injured. While this would require the expertise of an experienced Georgia worker’s compensation lawyer, this deviation from his route is typically not part of his daily duties and not part of what is in the scope of his employment. (There may be some other assistance for him through an auto policy.)
There are many variables which can affect whether an injury is covered or not, even if it does take place at at employer’s place of business. These types of cases are very fact specific and although the law requires that companies in Georgia require worker’s compensation insurance, it does not cover every single situation.
Requirements
in addition to the above, there are timelines and specific processes which MUST be followed in order to be a valid Georgia worker’s compensation claim. The injury must be reported within a given time frame. The employee must seek medical treatment under the rules of the law. This part alone can get very confusing, especially in an injury where the employee may be away from his employer and has nobody to ask about the rules. See also: Employer Requirements in Worker’s Comp
It’s for these very reasons and the complexity of this law, that Ty Wilson provides these articles, videos and podcasts. If employees (and employers) understand the rights and responsibilities of Georgia Worker’s Compensation law, hopefully the injured party knows where to go for treatment, when to report, to whom to report and what this law actually covers.
Contact Us
If you believe you have been injured in a work related injury and need the assistance of an experienced attorney, contact Ty. He has years of experience working with worker’s comp in Georgia and understands the nuances of the law. Visit our contact page for the methods of contact.
