In this article, you can discover…
- What factors determine the worth of a workers’ compensation claim.
- If a pre-existing condition may impact your case.
- How a diligent law firm can help maximize merited workers’ comp benefits.
What Factors Determine The Value Of A Workers’ Compensation Case?
The severity of your injury and whether or not surgery is needed will be impactful. Your doctor’s assessment of your injuries and the amount of time needed away from work will also be considered.
Workers’ compensation laws vary within each state. That is why it is important to seek counsel from an attorney familiar with how such claims are handled in your particular state. In Georgia, the types of compensation you may be eligible for include temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, permanent partial disability, and medical expenses.
The State of Georgia does not award for pain or suffering in workers’ compensation cases. However, we can look over the types of disability options available and consider immediate and future medical impacts to help determine the value of your case.
How Is The Severity Of An On-The-Job Injury Assessed?
The Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation generally factors in the body part that has been injured and the number of weeks this injury would require you to be away from work.
Other factors they consider include the length of time the injury will require to heal and the types of medical intervention needed. Will you require injections, surgery, physical therapy, or will there be life-long changes to mobility?
Overall, the severity of an injury is assessed through medical records, physicians’ recommendations, and long-term prospects for healing and recovery.
Keep in mind that unless the case is controverted, you will likely be treating with a physician chosen by your workers’ compensation insurance provider. If you are not receiving adequate treatment from your provider, it may be possible to change physicians. Ask your attorney about how they can help with this process.
How Are Lost Wages Calculated In A Workers’ Compensation Case?
The Georgia State Board Of Workers’ Compensation will look at the last 13 weeks of wages earned prior to your injury. They’ll average out those weekly amounts and use this figure to determine weekly compensation for up to 400 weeks.
The current weekly maximum temporary total disability benefits are ~ $725, though the value of your case could be significantly higher than this overall.
Can My Case Value Be Affected If I Have A Pre-Existing Condition?
For the most part, pre-existing conditions will be clearly documented as being distinct from recent, on-the-job injuries and won’t significantly impact your case’s value. It’s important to be honest with your attorney about past medical conditions, surgeries, injuries, and pain so that a judge can clearly see the distinction between past health issues and recent, documented work-related injuries.
How Can Your Firm Help Maximize The Value Of A Workers’ Compensation Case?
Seeing a physician who truly cares about your well-being and understands the complexity and impact of work-related injuries can significantly impact the value of your case. Many employer-recommended physicians are geared towards quick solutions that don’t properly address long-term issues or pain problems.
Our law firm can recommend caring, competent, and professional doctors who will fairly and seriously consider your injuries and the impact these injuries will likely have in the short and long term.
For more information on How Much A Workers’ Compensation Case Might Be Worth, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and answers you are seeking by calling (770) 474-9335 today.
