Many people who suffer catastrophic injuries on the job sustain severe trauma that permanently compromises their ability to work. In these cases, eligible employees can pursue workers’ compensation benefits to offset the financial hardships that come from extensive medical expenses and lost income. However, catastrophic injury workers’ compensation claims can be complex. Claimants usually need to pursue extended benefits, and insurance companies work hard to avoid large payouts, especially ones that last a lifetime.
Do you or a loved one need to apply for workers’ compensation for a catastrophic injury? Turn to the experienced attorneys at Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. for help. We can help you pursue the maximum benefits you are entitled to under Georgia law. Call now or contact us online for a free consultation.
Reasons to Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer After a Catastrophic Injury at Work
Catastrophic injuries are permanent, disabling, and life-changing. After a catastrophic workplace injury, your focus should be on your health and how to move forward, not on insurance claims, paperwork, deadlines, and haggling with agents. Having an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer on your side gives you an advocate who can build a solid claim and cut through the red tape.
At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., getting justice for injured workers is central to everything we do. Catastrophic injury claims are expensive and more likely to be disputed by insurers. Our law firm won’t let unfair decisions dictate what you deserve — and our dedication and drive yield case results that count. Our firm has recovered significant workers’ comp settlements for hardworking Georgians, including $175,000 for a client who needed multiple back surgeries due to a catastrophic injury.
Does Georgia Workers’ Compensation Cover Catastrophic Injuries?
Yes, in most cases. According to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC), employers with three or more employees (including part-time workers) must provide workers’ compensation insurance for workplace injuries. Coverage begins on day one of your employment and includes medical and wage benefits, vocational benefits for catastrophic injuries, and death benefits for fatal injuries.
Eligibility for Workers’ Compensation After a Catastrophic Injury
Employees must prove they were hurt on the job to recover compensation for workplace injuries. In addition, to be eligible for catastrophic injury workers’ comp, Georgia law states that the injury must fall into one of the following categories:
- Spinal cord injury resulting in severe paralysis of an arm, leg, or the trunk
- Amputation of an arm, hand, foot, or leg resulting in the effective loss of that appendage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Second or third-degree burns over 25 percent of the body
- Third-degree burns over 5 percent of the face or hands
- Total or industrial blindness
Any other injury that is severe enough to prevent an employee from returning to their current line of work or qualify them for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits could also be designated a catastrophic injury in Georgia.
Long-Term Disability Benefits for Catastrophic Job Injuries
Workers’ compensation for a catastrophic injury may include benefits for:
- Medical care – Lifetime coverage for medical expenses related to your injury
- Wage-replacement benefits – Wage-loss benefits equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage for life
- Rehabilitation services – Assistance with job training, career counseling, and job placement if you have a catastrophic injury that prevents you from returning to your previous employment
If your employer has workers’ comp insurance, you usually cannot sue them. However, if a third party caused your accident, our personal injury lawyers can help you file a negligence claim. If successful, you could recover money not covered by workers’ compensation, such as the total value of your lost wages and pain and suffering.
Challenges in Filing a Catastrophic Injury Workers’ Comp Claim
Catastrophic injury workers’ compensation claims can be expensive for insurance companies to pay because injured parties may qualify for lifetime benefits. Therefore, it is in the insurance company’s best interests to prove that a worker is not catastrophically injured or find ways to deny their claim.
The burden of proof will be on you to show that your accident happened while you performed duties in the course and scope of your employment. You must also prove your injury qualifies as catastrophic under Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws. Doing so can be challenging, especially while coping with a severe injury.
Our attorneys can pursue workers’ compensation benefits for a catastrophic injury for you by:
- Investigating your workplace accident
- Gathering evidence to support your claim, including medical bills and records, official incident reports, and expert and eyewitness testimony
- Preparing and filing workers’ compensation insurance claims according to policy deadlines
- Communicating with involved parties on your behalf
- Aggressively negotiating for a full and fair settlement
- Appealing denied, underpaid, or discontinued claims
- Taking legal action if necessary
- Answering your questions, keeping you informed, and providing frequent updates on the status of your case
Our Legal Support Is Crucial For Your Catastrophic Job Injury Claim
Legal representation is vital to securing the money you need to care for yourself and your family after a catastrophic workplace injury. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer with the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. can handle every aspect of your case, from seeking a catastrophic injury designation for your condition to applying for benefits and demanding the full settlement you deserve. We are committed to seeing your case through to the end.
Come tell us your story and find out how we can help. Contact us online or call now for a free case review. There’s no fee and no obligation, so you have nothing to lose.
Site by