A Georgia workplace accident can happen without warning, leaving you with a sense of hopelessness and despair. The workplace or work-related injury can also leave you strapped for cash and struggling to pay your medical bills as well as providing for your family.
If you or a loved one suffered a serious workplace or work-related injury, you should consider working with a qualified workers’ compensation lawyer from Buddoo and Associates, P.C., to help you recover the benefits you deserve. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.
 Why You Need a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Atlanta, GA
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that tens of thousands of workplace and work-related injuries and illnesses are reported in Georgia every year. Seeking benefits can be complicated, which is why you need the Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyer from Buddoo and Associates, P.C. representing you.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation Claims in Atlanta
Workers’ compensation is actually a no-fault benefit that’s mandated by Georgia law. It provides a limited wage loss benefit for workers that suffer a disability as the result of a workplace or work-related injury.
If your employer has 3 or more employees and you suffered and injury or illness while performing duties that occurred during the course of your employment, you will likely be covered under Georgia workers’ compensation law.
Workers’ compensation claims in Georgia are handled by the State Board of Workers’ Compensation as opposed to the civil court system. Depending on the specific details of your workplace or work-related injury, you may be entitled to various benefits.
Steps to Take After a Workplace Accident in Atlanta, GA
If you suffer a workplace accident in Atlanta, GA, you should do the following without delay:
- Report the injury to your employer immediately (within 30 days)
- Â Seek immediate medical treatment
- Obtain a list of employer-approved doctors for future treatment and medical care
- Keep records of everything related to the workplace injury
- Seek help from our experienced Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyers to help you recover the benefits you deserve.
How Buddoo and Associates Can Help You with Your Claim
Listed below are some of the ways that the workers’ compensation lawyers at Buddoo and Associates can help:
Preserve Your Rights
If you hire our legal team to represent you, you are essentially letting your employer know that you are aware of your rights. Your employer will therefore be less likely to deny your rights since you have a lawyer with you.
Guidance with the Claims Process
Our workers’ compensation lawyers can help you file your claim, which includes compiling your medical records. That way, you can rest and recover from your injury knowing that there’s someone reliable addressing your legal concerns.
Help with Complex Cases
Workers’ compensation claims usually involve simple injuries and bruises, but others may deal with permanent disability or even death. Our workers’ compensation lawyers can help you navigate through the intricacies of cases involving serious damages.
Observe Deadlines
Meeting deadlines is crucial if you want to get approved for claims. You are generally required to report the injury or illness to your employer within 30 days. If you file your workers’ compensation claim late, you risk forfeiting all benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workers’ Compensation
Here are some frequently asked questions about workers’ compensation claims in Georgia:
How long do I have to file a workers’ compensation claim?
Georgia workers’ compensation laws have set the time limit for reporting a workplace accident to 1 year from the accident date. Failure to adhere to this 1-year deadline for your filing workers’ compensation claim could leave you ineligible to seek compensation.
What Compensation Can I Receive Through Workers’ Compensation?
Injured workers may be entitled to the following benefits under the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act:
- Medical Benefits:Â It includes all necessary medical treatment for a work-related injury, including prescriptions, surgery, and rehabilitation services.
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) Benefits:Â Are designed for workers that are able to return to work but earn less due to their injuries.
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD) Benefits: These are wage benefits paid to an injured employee who’s completely disabled from work for some time but recovery is expected.
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Benefits:Â Are designed for workers that suffer permanent disabilities but are still able to work to some extent.
- Death Benefits: Families of workers who die due to work-related injuries or illnesses may also be eligible for benefits.
How Much Does a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Cost?
Atlanta Workers’ compensation lawyers, including those at Buddoo and Associates work on a contingency fee basis. This fee arrangement entails paying the lawyer a pre-agreed upon percentage (usually 25%) of your settlement or judgment award.
A contingency fee arrangement means that you won’t have to pay anything upfront to retain the lawyer. If the lawyer is unsuccessful when obtaining you financial compensation for the workers’ compensation claim, you won’t owe the lawyer anything in legal fees.
When Should I Contact a Lawyer After a Workplace Accident?
You may require experienced legal representation if you face any of the following situations when attempting to recover workers’ compensation benefits after suffering a workplace or work-related injury or illness:
- Your employer denies the claim
- Your employer disputes the injuries/illness
- Your employer retaliates against you for filing the claim
- You are unable to return to work due to the injury or illness
- You didn’t receive adequate medical care for the injuries/illness
- The work injury or illness was aggravated by a pre-existing condition.
 What Evidence is Important in a Workers’ Compensation Case?
To support your workers’ compensation claim, you need to gather the following evidence:
Medical Records and Reports: Comprehensive medical documentation is at the heart of any successful workers’ compensation claim. Examples here include hospital records, specialist reports, doctor’s diagnoses and treatment plans, etc.
Witness Statements: Eyewitness accounts provide critical perspectives on the incident. Witnesses may include supervisors, coworkers, third parties (if applicable), and neutral observers (if available), who can provide unbiased statements on the incident.
Work-Related Documents:Â The documents that will help establish the context and conditions surrounding the incident. Examples here include but are not limited to the following: incident reports, accident reports, safety protocols, etc.
Financial Records: Financial documentation helps support claims for compensation for lost wages as well as medical expenses. Examples of financial documents to support your claim include expense receipts, pay stubs, medical bills, etc.
Why Choose Buddooo and Associates for Workers’ Compensation Cases?
If you are seeking the best representation possible for your Atlanta workers’ compensation cases, you need to trust Buddoo and Associates for the following reasons:
- Knowledge: We know the ins and outs of the Georgia workers’ compensation claims process. We have handled many different types of workplace injury claims.
- Experience: Our 20+ years of experience has allowed us to develop an in-depth knowledge of the workers’ compensation claims process and ways to maximize client claims.
- Dedication: We are committed to recovering maximum benefits for our clients. That’s why we commit maximum resources to helping injured workers seek benefits.
Contact the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Buddoo and Associates Today!
Navigating the workers’ compensation laws in Georgia alone can be very difficult since there are several different factors that need to be taken into account when calculating the medical, disability, and death benefits you are entitled to:
If you or a loved one suffered a workplace or work-related injury or illness in Atlanta, contact the skilled workers’ compensation lawyers at Buddoo and Associates. We have years of experience helping injured workers pursue the maximum compensation they deserve and can do the same for you.
Call us today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation!
