by Alpharetta, GA Workers' Compensation Lawyer Casey W. Stevens
If a physical injury stemming from a work-related accident keeps you from working temporarily or permanently, filing a workers' compensation claim is the first step to obtaining benefits. Knowing how to complete and file an initial workers' comp claim application can be an overwhelming task. We can help.
If you are injured on a job, it is best to let your employer know of your injury immediately. You must report your injury within 30 days to be eligible for benefits. Make sure your claim is in writing, you are given a receipt of your claim and it is made part of your permanent file. To file a claim, you'll need to complete Form WC-14, file it with the State Board of Workers' Compensation, and send a copy to your employer and their workers' compensation insurance carrier. A claim for worker's compensation benefits must be filed within one year from the injury in order to be eligible. If your injury requires urgent care, go to a hospital or urgent care facility immediately. Once your injuries are stabilized are required to be treated by one of the physicians available to you via your workers' compensation program at work. Your employer should provide you with the list.
Once the income benefits have been provided, a plaintiff has two years from the last day of income benefits to request reinstatement. If the injuries to an employee were caused by a third party, the employer has up to four years to request reimbursement from the third party. Pre-existing conditions come into play when determining the class and cause of injury. For instance, if an employee injures their back during a task done at work and they had a prior back injury, it would be up to the treating physician to determine whether the injury is compensable.
At Casey W. Stevens Law: Alpharetta Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers, our workers' compensation claims lawyers are experienced in accurately and skillfully filing applications and working with clients to make sure they have financial coverage throughout the period of their application process. To find out more information, contact one of our Alpharetta, Atlanta, Suwanee, Dawsonville or Woodstock, Georgia offices today. 770-408-6364
We help our clients get to the heart of what matters in filing their workers' compensation claim. We ask specific questions designed to elicit specific answers - questions regarding the incident that caused the work injury, when the injury was first reported, when medical treatment was first sought, information about the employer and supervisor, the rate of pay, the number of years on the job and any concurrent employment. The answers to these and other questions give us a clear picture and ample information to fill out the workers' comp application completely.
When we help clients file a formal claim before the state board of workers' compensation, we make sure that they are receiving appropriate timely treatment. In addition, we monitor the application process closely and keep our clients informed of any information they need as well as the status of their claim. If a claim is denied, we are happy to provide workers' compensation appeals resources.
If you are living under the financial pressure and physical pain brought about by a personal injury, we invite you to contact Casey W. Stevens Law: Alpharetta Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers, today. Call 770-408-6364 for a free initial consultation. If you prefer a face-to-face meeting, you can visit us at our Roswell and Alpharetta, Georgia location, or we will come to you.