Most employers take steps to ensure that their employees are safe at work. However, accidents still happen. And when they do, resulting in injuries or illness, you may be eligible for financial restitution for the resulting damages through an employer-funded workers’ compensation program.
However, you do not quite have the luxury of pursuing your workers’ compensation benefits at your convenience. Georgia, just like all the other states, has a time limit within which you must file your workers’ compensation claim. And it is important that you take this time limit seriously.
So how long do you have to claim?
In Georgia, you must formally report your workplace injury within 30 days from the date of the injury. It is incredibly important that you observe this timeline. If you do not, both the insurance company as well as your employer might dispute your claim. In fact, they may argue that your injuries had nothing to do with your place or nature of work.
It is equally important to understand that reporting your injuries is not the same thing as filing your workers’ compensation claim. Filing a claim is crucial if you are unable to reach an out-of-court settlement with the insurance company or if they are not willing to make any offer for your injuries. In either case, you will have up to one year from the date of the workplace accident or when you reasonably discovered your work-related illness to file a claim.
Damages you can pursue during your workers’ comp claim
Depending on the extent of your injuries or illness, here are some of the damages you can seek during your workers’ comp claim:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income and income potential
- Future treatment and rehabilitation needs
- Death benefits if the injuries or illness is terminal
Workers’ compensation benefits can be a welcome relief when you are hurt at work. Find out how you can protect your rights and interests while pursuing your workers’ compensation claim.
