If you suffer an injury while on the job, your employer should report it to its workers' compensation insurer. However, some employers unfortunately try to avoid reporting workplace injuries to avoid increased insurance costs or other liabilities. If your employer doesn't report your work-related injury to its insurer, a Georgia workers’ comp attorney can help you take legal action to get the workers' compensation benefits you deserve.
Reporting a Work-Related Injury in Georgia
If you are injured on the job, the first step is to promptly notify your employer and request that they file first report of injury with its workers' compensation insurer. You only have 30 days to report the injury to your employer. You will want to provide details of when, where, and how the injury occurred. Get any witnesses to the incident to also notify your employer. If your employer still refuses to report the injury, it's crucial that you contact Rechtman & Spevak as soon as possible.
When you hire a workers’ compensation attorney, they can help you build your case and prove that your injury occurred on the job, even without your employer's cooperation. An attorney can gather vital evidence such as:
- Medical records
- Incident reports
- Witness statements
- Records of any prior safety complaints related to your injury
Your lawyer can also request a hearing before the State Board of Workers' Compensation to present your evidence.
Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits
With an attorney's help, you can still receive all the workers' compensation benefits you are entitled to by law, including:
- Coverage of all medical bills related to the injury
- Wage replacement payments if you missed work
- Compensation for permanent disability
Your employer should not be able to get away with failing to report your legitimate work injury. Don't wait to get legal guidance so you can take action to protect your rights and access the benefits you deserve. The law protects injured workers even when employers wrongfully avoid their responsibilities. With Rechtman & Spevak on your side, you can take the necessary steps to get justice.