Workers’ Comp Lawyer in Johns Creek, GA
If you have been injured at work or developed a work-related illness, you may be feeling overwhelmed, unsure of what you need to do to protect your rights and your future. Filing for workers’ compensation is certainly the right first step. Unfortunately, in some cases, you may be denied workers’ compensation benefits, leaving you injured, unable to work, dealing with medical bills and no regular paycheck.
The workers’ compensation system was put into place just for such a scenario. Each state is in charge of regulating its own workers’ compensation system and putting the rules and laws into place. While in theory, an injury or illness that is work-related should be paid by workers’ compensation, this is not always the case. If you are having difficulty securing your workers’ comp benefits, it could be beneficial to speak to a Johns Creek workers’ compensation attorney from The Law Offices of Darwin F. Johnson.
About Johns Creek, GA
There are about 83,000 residents of Johns Creek, a city in Fulton County, Georgia. As a northeastern suburb of Atlanta, the Johns Creek area was dotted with trading posts throughout the Cherokee territory along the Chattahoochee River. In the 1820s, gold was discovered in the northeast Georgia foothills, about 45 miles north of Johns Creek. This led to the first American Gold Rush, the takeover by the U.S. government of the Cherokee Nation, and the forced exile of the Cherokee tribes to Oklahoma—the Trail of Tears.
In the early 1980s, a group of graduates from the Georgia Institute of Technology bought 1,700 acres of farmland and woods for an office park. The area has since grown to house more than 200 companies—many of them Fortune 500 companies. It was not until November of 2006 that the City of Johns Creek became an incorporated city. Today, Johns Creek has metro Atlanta’s only fully professional symphony orchestra that performs several times each year. The city is home to a number of festivals, such as the Fall Family Festival, The Taste of Johns Creek 9an annual food festival featuring local restaurants), and Founders Week.
Why Should You Choose a Johns Creek Workers’ Compensation Attorney from The Law Offices of Darwin F. Johnson?
It is important that you report any work-related illness or injury to your employer as quickly as possible; since the SBWC will review your claim, it could be assumed your injuries or illness were not as severe as you claim because you delayed reporting it. Having an experienced Johns Creek workers’ compensation attorney from The Law Offices of Darwin F. Johnson by your side during the process can prove invaluable.
Attorney Darwin F. Johnson has many years’ experience successfully representing workers’ compensation cases to the Board and in the courtroom. The Law Offices of Darwin F. Johnson has more than 150 positive Google Reviews, we have recovered more than $250 million for our clients through handling over 10,000 cases. We serve Johns Creek, the Atlanta metro area, and the entire state of Georgia in workers’ compensation claims.
Am I Covered Under Georgia Workers’ Compensation?
If you’ve been injured at work in Johns Creek, you have the right to apply for workers’ compensation benefits. It does not matter whether you are full-time, or part-time, if your employer has three or more employees and does not fall under one of the exceptions, then you are covered by workers’ comp. The exceptions in the state of Georgia include federal employees, domestic servants, farm laborers, independent contractors, and some railroad employees. If you are the family member of a worker who suffered a fatal workplace accident, you should speak with an attorney who can file for WC death benefits.
Your employer must provide the necessary paperwork to you for your claim and may not take retribution against you because you filed a workers’ compensation claim. That being said, Georgia is an at-will work state, meaning you can potentially be fired for any reason, or no reason at all, so while it is not likely, it is always a possibility that you could be fired for filing a WC claim. You have the right to lost wages (partial wage replacement), medical treatments, rehabilitative therapies, medical devices, transportation costs to and from medical appointments, and disability benefits. Manipulative tactics like denying a valid claim or blaming you for your injuries are, unfortunately, more common that you might think.
FAQs Regarding Georgia Workers’ Compensation
- Can I be watched by a workers’ compensation representative? After filing a Johns Creek workers’ compensation claim, you may feel as though you are being “watched.” In fact, it is legal for an insurance company to perform surveillance to determine whether your injuries are as severe as you claim. What a photograph shows you doing—like bending over to pick something up—is a far cry from you performing this activity all day long. You need a solid Johns Creek workers’ compensation attorney by your side to challenge a misleading photograph or video. Make sure your rights are protected from start to finish after you file a workers’ compensation claim.
- Are workers’ compensation benefits taxable? Neither workers’ compensation settlements nor benefits are taxable. Your wage benefits are determined by taking your gross wages from the 13 weeks prior to your accident, then multiplying that figure by 2/3. Since you are only receiving about 66 percent of your regular salary amount, the system assumes taxes are accounted for. Even if you receive a lump sum settlement, rather than weekly benefits, you are not required to pay taxes on the settlement.
How the Law Offices of Darwin F. Johnson Can Help with Your Johns Creek WC Claim
If you are struggling to collect workers’ compensation, you could benefit from having an experienced Johns Creek workers’ compensation attorney by your side. The Law Offices of Darwin F. Johnson can ensure your claim is properly filed, with all time limitations being adhered to. You must avoid jeopardizing your case because of an avoidable mistake. Attorney Darwin Johnson has extensive experience and training in workers’ compensation claims. Our law firm will vigorously pursue damages on your behalf. Contact The Law Offices of Darwin F. Johnson today!
