Workers’ compensation provides a vital financial safety net for those who have been hurt on the job. However, the way in which benefits are calculated is rather complex and can vary significantly from state to state.
Georgia determines compensation for lost wages based on how your injury is classified. Someone with a temporary total disability receives a higher maximum benefit for a longer period of time than someone with a temporary partial disability. Permanent partial disability benefits are more than you’d receive with a temporary partial disability, but less than you’d receive with a temporary total disability. The number of weeks you can receive benefits with a permanent partial disability depends upon your injured body part, ranging from 20 weeks for a toe to 300 weeks for a whole-body injury.
If you’ve lost a loved one due to a workplace accident, you may be able to receive death benefits for dependents under your care as well as a one-time payment for burial expenses.
Rechtman & Spevak is committed to advocating for the needs of Georgia residents seeking a fair workers’ compensation settlement. Please complete our online contact form or call us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
1999 - 2022 GEORGIA MAXIMUM WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BENEFITS
| Temporary Total Disability Benefits | 7/1/1999- 6/30/2000 | 7/1/2000- 6/30/2001 | 7/1/2001- 6/30/2003 | 7/1/2003- 6/30/2005 | 7/1/2005- 6/30/2007 | 7/1/2007- 6/30/2013 | 7/1/2013- 6/30/2015 | 7/1/2015- 6/30/2016 | 7/1/2016- 6/30/2019 | 7/1/2019- 6/30/2022 | 7/1/2022 |
| Max weekly benefit | $350 | $375 | $400 | $425 | $450 | $500 | $525 | $550 | $575 | $675 | $725 |
| Max weekly benefits 2 | 400 wks 1 | 400 wks 1 | 400 wks 1 | 400 wks 1 | 400 wks 1 | 400 wks 1 | 400 wks 1 | 400 wks 1 | 400 wks 1 | 400 wks 1 | 400 wks 1 |
| Temporary Partial Disability Benefits | 7/1/1999- 6/30/2000 | 7/1/2000- 6/30/2001 | 7/1/2001- 6/30/2003 | 7/1/2003- 6/30/2005 | 7/1/2005- 6/30/2007 | 7/1/2007- 6/30/2013 | 7/1/2013- 6/30/2015 | 7/1/2015- 6/30/2016 | 7/1/2016- 6/30/2019 | 7/1/2019- 6/30/2022 | 7/1/2022 |
| Max weekly benefit | $233.33 | $250 | $268 | $284 | $300 | $334 | $350 | $367 | $383 | $450 | $483 |
| Max weekly benefits 2 | 350 wks | 350 wks | 350 wks | 350 wks | 350 wks | 350 wks | 350 wks | 350 wks | 350 wks | 350 wks | 350 wks |
| Medical Benefit Maximum Cap 3 | 7/1/1996- 6/30/1997 | 7/1/1997- 6/30/1999 | 7/1/1999- 6/30/2000 | 7/1/2000- 6/30/2001 | 7/1/2001- 6/30/2003 | 7/1/2003- 6/30/2005 | 7/1/2005- 6/30/2007 | 7/1/2007- 6/30/2013 | 7/1/2013- Present |
| Non-catastrophic | lifetime | lifetime | lifetime | lifetime | lifetime | lifetime | lifetime | lifetime | 400 weeks |
| Catastrophic | lifetime | lifetime | lifetime | lifetime | lifetime | lifetime | lifetime | lifetime | lifetime |
| Permanent Partial Disability Benefits | 7/1/2000- 6/30/2001 | 7/1/2001- 6/30/2003 | 7/1/2003- 6/30/2005 | 7/1/2005- 6/30/2007 | 7/1/2007- 6/30/2013 | 7/1/2013- 6/30/2015 | 7/1/2015- 6/30/2016 | 7/1/2016- 6/30/2019 | 7/1/2019- 6/30/2022 | 7/1/2022 |
| Max weekly benefit | $375 | $400 | $425 | $450 | $500 | $525 | $550 | $575 | $675 | $725 |
| Scheduled injuries # of weeks (at 100%) | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ |
| Body Part | Maximum weeks | Body Part | Maximum weeks |
|
Arm |
225 | Ring Finger | 30 |
| Leg | 225 | Little Finger | 25 |
| Hand | 160 | Great Toe | 30 |
| Foot | 135 | Any other toe | 20 |
| Thumb | 60 | Loss of hearing: one / both ears | 75 / 150 |
| Index Finger | 40 | Loss of vision in one eye | 150 |
| Middle Finger | 35 | Body as a whole | 300 |
| Death Benefits to Dependents |
7/1/2000- 6/30/2001 | 7/1/2001- 6/30/2003 | 7/1/2003- 6/30/2005 | 7/1/2005- 6/30/2007 | 7/1/2007- 6/30/2013 | 7/1/2013- 6/30/2015 | 7/1/2015- 6/30/2016 | 7/1/2016- 6/30/2019 | 7/1/2019- 6/30/2022 | 7/1/2022 |
| Max weekly benefit | $375 | $400 | $425 | $450 | $500 | $525 | $550 | $575 | $675 |
$725 |
| Burial expense | $7,500 | $7,500 | $7,500 | $7,500 | $7,500 | $7,500 | $7,500 | $7,500 | $7,500 | $7,500 |
- For dates of accident prior to 7/1/1992, there is no cap on the number of benefit weeks. After 6/30/2004 the weekly cap applied except to cases designated as “Catastrophic” which receive lifetime benefits. Catastrophic (“(g)(6)”) claims with dates of accident after 7/1/2005 are subject to a new rebuttable presumption claim is no longer catastrophic upon eligibility for social security retirement benefits. There is another rebuttable presumption against catastrophic designation for first 130 weeks if there are work restrictions.
- Period runs from the date of injury not the date of entitlement and it is weeks and not benefits paid.
- Medical cap for non-catastrophic claims is 400 weeks for d/a 7/1/13 and after per O.C.G.A. §34-9-200(a)(2). However, the 400 week cap does not apply to the maintenance, repair, revision, or removal of the following items as long as they were originally furnished within 400 weeks of the date of injury: prosthetic devices, spinal cord stimulators, intrathecal pump devices, durable medical equipment, orthotics, corrective eyeglasses, and hearing aids.
