Many work injuries involve the knees and hips. Repairing these injuries often requires surgery before the employee can return to work. Under Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws, employees may be entitled to medical, rehabilitation, and income benefits to help during their recovery. At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., we can help you file a workers’ comp claim if you need knee or hip replacement surgery after a workplace accident.
Our law firm knows how stressful it is to be sidelined from work due to an unexpected injury. When you hire us, you get a workers’ compensation attorney with a proven track record of success handling orthopedic injury claims, including a recent $115,00 settlement for an EMT who required shoulder surgery and possible knee and hip surgery following a job accident. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Hip Replacement Surgery?
Yes. Your employer must pay for all costs related to a hip replacement, assuming hip replacement surgery is reasonable and necessary to treat the injury you sustained on the job.
Does Workers’ Comp Cover Knee Surgery?
Yes. Just like hip replacement surgery, if your knee injury is work-related and knee surgery is reasonable and necessary, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer should pay for it.
What Should You Do After Suffering a Knee or Hip Injury at Work?
If you suffer a knee or hip injury on the job, the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation says you should report it to your employer immediately. If you fail to report the injury within 30 days, you risk losing your workers’ compensation benefits.
Once you have reported the injury, you should seek medical treatment from an employer-authorized physician or your employer’s Managed Care Organization (MCO). Be sure to tell the physician you require treatment for a work-related injury and complete the prescribed treatment plan.
Finally, complete a WC-14 Notice of Claim and submit it to your employer and their workers’ comp insurance provider. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can assist you throughout this process so you can focus on recovering from your injury.
Factors Your Employer’s Insurance Company Will Consider Before Paying for Knee or Hip Surgery
Workers’ compensation insurance companies scrutinize all claims carefully, especially ones for expensive procedures like knee or hip replacement surgeries. They may dispute these claims and question whether the surgical procedure is reasonable and necessary by evaluating several factors, such as:
- The employee’s age
- Their ability to perform job duties without the procedure
- Any prior knee or hip injuries
- The overall circumstances of the accident
Can I Get Additional Medical Treatment After Surgery?
Under Georgia’s workers’ compensation law, you are entitled to up to 400 weeks of medical treatment. If you suffered a catastrophic injury on the job, you may be entitled to lifetime medical benefits.
Contact a Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
If you suffered a hip or knee injury on the job, surgery might be the only option to get you back on your feet. But if you are struggling to get your medical costs covered through workers’ compensation, seek legal guidance from an attorney at the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. We represent clients in Albany, GA, and the surrounding communities. Contact us today for a free consultation with a compassionate workers’ compensation attorney.
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