A serious accident at work may cause you to miss work for a long time. In the worst case, you may be unable to return to your old job–or any other job. So how will you support your family?
Georgia workers’ compensation is designed to cover medical bills and provide a weekly income benefit if your treating doctor has determined you’re unable to work due to your injury. Your income benefit is generally two-thirds of your average earnings for the 13 weeks before your accident, up to a maximum of $575.
Workers compensation benefits may continue:
- For a maximum of 350 or 400 weeks, depending on the facts of the case, if your injury is not considered catastrophic.
- If you suffered a catastrophic injury, you might be entitled to income benefits for life. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
Under Georgia law, a catastrophic injury is one that prevents you from doing your previous job or any other work available in substantial numbers. Other examples of catastrophic injuries include amputation, blindness, severe paralysis, a severe burn or a severe brain injury.
You may be entitled to job retraining if your claim is found to be catastrophic, you may also have the opportunity to receive a lump sum settlement.
It often takes a lawyer’s help to obtain all of the benefits you are due from workers’ compensation.