5 Things You Didn’t Know About Catastrophic Work Injury Benefits in Georgia

By Darwin F. Johnson on October 28th, 2015 in Atlanta Workers Comp, Macon Workers Comp, Savannah Worker's Comp, Workers Compensation

Some industries are more dangerous than others, just as some workplace injuries are more serious than others – it just depends on where you work. An employee who works at a desk may develop carpal tunnel. A factory worker may pull a back muscle moving boxes. A construction worker might suffer a traumatic brain injury from a falling structure, which may sound dark and obscure, but it’s the truth about working in that field.

Injuries in which individuals’ suffering is life-altering for the worse are called catastrophic work injuries. Catastrophes in the workplace maim, burn, paralyze, and can even kill workers. The risks of catastrophic work injuries are industry-relative, but so are the benefits. Here at the Law Offices of Darwin F. Johnson, we thought it would be a good idea to share with you a few things about catastrophic work injury benefits you may not have known about in the state of Georgia.

1. Payment schedules are determined by the law. Injury benefits for workers can run up to 400 weeks. However, if the injury suffered is catastrophic in nature, the injured party could be entitled to benefits for the rest of his or her life.
2. Sometimes, victims of catastrophic workplace injuries are unable to perform the functions of the job that injured them after the catastrophe. Under Georgia state law, someone who sustains a catastrophic workplace injury is entitled to training for another job. If that cannot workout, then the injured party is entitled to help finding another job.
3. All authorized bills after a catastrophic injury suffered on the job must be paid by the employer. This counts for physicians, hospitals, prescriptions and physical therapy.
4. Permanently disabled individuals are entitled to weekly benefits. The factors going into this are determined by a physician, but those who sustain a catastrophic workplace injury are entitled to weekly benefits.
5. All benefits are determined based upon the severity of the injuries sustained. Because of this, it is absolutely imperative that people who have suffered a catastrophic workplace injury seek the council of a professional to represent them and fight for their best interests. Employers need to be accountable to injured workers, and someone has to make sure they play by the rules in compensating injured workers.

Though they may not be very common, those who suffer a catastrophic injury at work need representation. If you have been a victim of a catastrophic workplace injury in Atlanta, GA, give us a call for a free consultation so we can discuss what benefits you’re eligible for.