All information provided about the law is very general in nature and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Every situation is different and should be analyzed by a lawyer who can provide individualized advice based on the facts involved in your unique situation, and a consideration of all of the nuances of the statutes and case law that apply at the time.
What happens if I was injured at work in Georgia?
Report your injury to your employer immediately. GA Code § 34-9-80 requires that workplace injuries be reported within 30 days, but it’s best to do it as soon as possible to avoid any disputes about when or how the injury occurred. Make sure the report is in writing and that you keep a copy for your records.
Some employers may mislead their employees and tell them they have less time to file a report than they do. If you are delayed from filing your report for any reason, but 30 days have not gone by yet, you still absolutely have the right to file a report and claim workers’ compensation benefits. According to GA Code § 34-9-82, you must file your workers’ compensation claim with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation within one year from the date of injury or last authorized treatment.
Workers compensation is an exclusive remedy in Georgia, meaning it’s difficult to sue for personal injury damages outside of the rigid compensation system. It’s still a good idea to seek legal counsel because there are extenuating circumstances that can change this. An attorney can help ensure that all the necessary paperwork is filed correctly and on time, and explore additional compensation avenues if a third party was involved in causing or preventing your injury. In choosing to speak with a personal injury lawyer, Decatur workers hurt on the job can make sure they’re not leaving money on the table.
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