At Georgia Spine & Orthopaedics, we specialize in comprehensive care for individuals recovering from injuries. Our team of board-certified orthopedic surgeons, pain management specialists, and neurologists is dedicated to providing personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique needs. With multiple locations across the metro Atlanta area, including Marietta, Tucker, and Columbus, we offer convenient access to advanced medical services. Whether you’re dealing with a workplace injury, car accident, or chronic condition, we’re here to help you regain mobility and improve your quality of life.
Getting injured at work can leave you with medical bills, lost income, and uncertainty about your rights. In Georgia, the workers’ compensation system provides benefits, but securing them requires following the correct steps. Reporting your workplace injury, seeking medical treatment, and filing a workers’ compensation claim on time is essential.
In this blog, you will learn the essential steps to take after being injured at work including reporting the injury, seeking treatment from an experienced Atlanta work injury doctor, filing a workers’ compensation claim, understanding your benefits, and consulting a workers’ compensation attorney if needed.
Report Your Workplace Injury Immediately
You could get injured at work at any time. Reporting the injury quickly ensures you remain eligible for workers’ compensation benefits and helps prevent delays in your claim.
Notify Your Employer If You’re Injured at Work
Report the workplace injury to your supervisor, manager, or HR department as soon as possible. Georgia law requires workers to notify their employer within 30 days. Failing to report the injury on time may result in denied benefits from the workers’ compensation insurance carrier.
Provide Clear and Accurate Information
When reporting your injury, include important details such as:
- Date and time of when you got injured at work.
- Location where the accident happened.
- Description of how the injury occurred.
- Symptoms or pain you are experiencing.
If possible, provide a written injury report to create an official record of the incident. Keep a copy for your own records.
Understand the Employer’s Responsibility
Your employer must report the injury claim to their workers’ compensation insurance company. They should also provide you with a list of approved doctors for medical treatment. If your employer refuses to report the job-related injury, you have the right to file a claim directly with the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation.
Act Quickly to Protect Your Rights
Delays in reporting can hurt your workers’ compensation claim. If you are injured at work, report the injury immediately, ensure documentation is accurate, and follow up with your employer. This step is crucial to receiving medical benefits and lost income compensation under Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws.
Seek Medical Treatment from an Approved Doctor
Getting medical care after a workplace injury is essential. Choosing the right doctor ensures your workers’ compensation claim remains valid and that you receive the proper medical benefits.
See a Doctor as Soon as Possible
Seek medical treatment immediately, even if the injury seems minor. Some injuries, like head injuries or back pain, worsen over time. A doctor will document your condition, which is necessary for your workers’ compensation claim process.
Use an Approved Workers’ Compensation Doctor
Georgia law requires injured workers to choose a doctor from the Panel of Physicians provided by the employer. If you see a doctor who is not on the approved list, the workers’ compensation insurance company may refuse to cover your medical expenses.
What Medical Treatment Covers
Workers’ compensation benefits include:
- Doctor visits and hospital care
- Surgery and physical therapy
- Prescription medication
- Medical bills for necessary treatment
For serious cases, such as catastrophic injuries, additional medical benefits may apply.
Keep Records of Your Treatment
Request copies of medical reports, prescriptions, and bills. These documents prove the injury claim and help secure maximum benefits from the workers’ compensation insurance carrier.
Follow the Doctor’s Instructions
Stick to the approved doctor’s treatment plan. Ignoring medical advice or missing appointments can harm your injury claim. If you are unhappy with your assigned doctor, you may have the right to request a different work injury physician.
File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Filing a workers’ compensation claim is necessary to receive medical benefits and wage compensation after a work-related injury. Following the correct steps ensures your claim is processed without delays.
Complete and Submit Form WC-14
To start your claim, complete Form WC-14 and submit it to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation. You must also send a copy to your employer and their workers’ compensation insurance carrier. Filing correctly ensures your injury claim moves forward.
Deadlines Matter
You must file your workers’ compensation claim within one year of the workplace injury. Waiting too long can result in losing your right to compensation for medical expenses and lost income.
Keep Records of Your Claim
Save copies of all documents, including:
- The injury report given to your employer.
- Medical records from your approved doctor.
- Communications with the insurance company.
These records help in case of a dispute with the employer’s insurance company over workers’ compensation benefits.
What Happens After You File?
Once your injury claim is filed, the insurance company reviews the case. If approved, you will receive medical care and wage benefits. If denied, you have the right to appeal and may need a workers’ compensation attorney.
Protect Your Claim
Filing correctly and on time is crucial. If your employer delays or refuses to file, you can submit the claim yourself. If issues arise, seek a free consultation with a work injury attorney to ensure you receive maximum benefits.
Know Your Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Injured workers are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits that cover medical expenses and lost income. Understanding these benefits ensures you receive proper compensation for your work-related injury.
Medical Benefits
Workers’ compensation insurance covers all necessary medical treatment if you’re injured at work. This includes:
- Doctor visits and hospital care
- Surgeries and therapy
- Prescription medications
- Medical equipment, such as braces or wheelchairs
To receive coverage, treatment must come from an approved doctor listed by your employer.
Wage Compensation
If you’re injured at work and cannot continue working, you may receive partial wage replacement. Georgia law provides:
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD): If you cannot work at all, you receive two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to the state limit.
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): If you return to work with restrictions and earn less, you receive partial wage compensation.
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): If you suffer permanent limitations, you may qualify for additional payments.
Disability and Catastrophic Injury Benefits
Severe injuries, such as spinal cord damage or brain trauma, may qualify for long-term benefits. In cases of catastrophic injuries, workers may receive lifetime medical care and wage replacement.
Denied or Delayed Benefits
If the workers’ compensation insurance company denies or delays your claim, you have the right to appeal. Hiring a workers’ compensation attorney can help you recover maximum benefits.
Consult a Workers’ Compensation Attorney If Needed
A workers’ compensation attorney helps injured workers secure maximum benefits when claims are denied, delayed, or disputed. Legal representation ensures you receive proper medical care and wage compensation.
When to Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney
You should consider hiring an attorney if your employer’s insurance company denies your injury claim, your medical treatment is delayed or refused, or you are pressured to return to normal work activities before you have recovered. Legal help is also essential if you suffer a catastrophic injury that may require lifetime benefits.
How an Attorney Helps
A workers’ compensation lawyer files appeals for denied claims, negotiates with the insurance company to secure fair medical benefits and lost income compensation, represents you in hearings before the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation, and gathers medical evidence to strengthen your case.
Consult With Georgia Spine & Orthopaedics About Your Workplace Injuries!
If you’ve been injured at work, prompt and specialized medical care is crucial. At Georgia Spine & Orthopaedics, our experienced team is dedicated to providing comprehensive treatment to help you recover and return to work safely. We understand the complexities of workers’ compensation claims and are here to guide you through every step of the process.
Contact us at 678-929-4494 to schedule an appointment with us today!
