Workers' Compensation Attorney in Thomasville, GA

Suffering a work-related injury or illness is not only physically and emotionally challenging. It could also lead to serious financial strain as a result of extensive medical bills and missed time from work. Fortunately, under the workers’ compensation system in Georgia, an employee injured on the job is entitled to benefits such as medical treatment and lost income payments. Unfortunately, not every injured employee immediately receives the full scope of the benefits they deserve. When that happens, an experienced Thomasville workers’ compensation lawyer can help you pursue a legal claim for the benefits you need.

At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., our legal team works hard to ensure you are taken care of after a workplace injury. We have seen firsthand how insurance companies fight to avoid paying the financial compensation injury victims need. Let our dedicated Thomasville workers’ compensation lawyers advocate for your rights and interests so you can focus on your recovery.

Contact us today for a free consultation to learn how our firm can help you after a job-related injury or illness. There are no fees upfront for us to start work on your case. You only pay us when we recover payment for you.

What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?

If you are entitled to receive workers’ compensation for an on-the-job injury or occupational illness, you may receive benefits that include:

• Payment for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment and rehabilitation
• Partial wage replacement equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage for the time you miss from work while recovering
• Partial or total disability benefits, if you are disabled from working to your full potential or from performing any form of work
• Vocational rehabilitation, which can train you to perform other work that you can safely do within your limitations
• Death benefits, which provides the family of a worker killed on the job with reimbursement of funeral expenses and partial replacement of the worker’s lost income

Do You Need a Thomasville Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?

Although you are supposed to be entitled to workers’ compensation when you suffer a work injury or occupational illness, you may face difficulties getting the benefits you need and deserve from your employer. Employers and their workers’ compensation insurers may choose to unreasonably delay or deny injured workers’ claims. A Thomasville workers’ compensation lawyer can help with:

• Investigating the work accident that caused your injury
• Contacting your employer or its workers’ comp insurer to move the processing of your claim forward
• Communicating with your treating medical providers to understand the extent of your injury or illness
• Filing a formal workers’ compensation claim to request a hearing if your employer wrongfully denies your claim for benefits
• Preparing your case for the formal hearing and representing you at the hearing to advocate for your best interests
• Pursuing appeals on your behalf if necessary
• Negotiating a workers’ compensation settlement with your employer where appropriate

Tips for Protecting Your Rights After an Accident at Work

After you are injured at work, you can protect your rights by:

• Notifying your employer of your work injury or occupational illness as soon as possible to maintain your eligibility for workers’ comp benefits.
• Taking photos or video of the scene where you were injured, including details such as what caused the work accident as well as documenting any visible injuries.
• Seeking medical care as soon as possible. You may seek emergency treatment anywhere. For non-emergency treatment, your employer has the right to require you to select a provider from an approved list to have your treatment covered by workers’ compensation. Remember to let any treating provider know that your injury or illness is work-related.
• Follow all treatment instructions that your providers give you. If you delay treatment, your employer may choose to terminate your benefits and demand you return to work.
• Avoid discussing your case on social media. If you stay out of work due to your injuries, don’t post photos or videos of yourself staying active or traveling, otherwise your employer may argue that your injuries have resolved enough to allow you to return to work or to terminate your workers’ comp benefits.

Finally, if your workers’ comp claim is not immediately accepted by your employer or if you do not receive the full benefits you believe you are entitled to, talk to a Thomasville workers’ compensation lawyer to go over your legal rights and options.

Common Causes of Workplace Injuries

Some of the most frequent causes of workplace injuries in Thomasville include:

Common Types of Work Injury Cases We Handle

At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., we have extensive experience helping workers who have suffered:

Time Is Limited to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Under Georgia’s workers’ compensation law, you are expected to report a work injury or symptoms of an occupational illness as soon as possible, but in no event later than 30 days after the injury or onset of symptoms. Providing untimely notice to your employer puts you at risk of losing the right to receive workers’ comp benefits.

If you must file a formal claim with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation after your employer or its insurer denies your workers’ comp claim, you have one year after a work accident or the onset of an occupational illness to file your formal claim.

Talk to a Thomasville Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today

If you have been hurt on the job or have suffered an occupational illness, contact the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., today. A Thomasville workers’ compensation attorney from our firm can provide a free, no-obligation case review. Don’t wait to call us or connect with us online to get the qualified legal assistance you need and deserve.