Augusta Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

If you or a loved one were injured on the job in Augusta, GA, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. An experienced Augusta workers’ compensation lawyer at Hawk Law Group can help you fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. 

Our legal team has been fighting to protect the rights of injured workers in the CSRA for over thirty years. We’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars to help those clients get back on their feet.

Our lawyers are here to help protect your legal rights. To learn more, contact our law offices in Augusta, Georgia at (706) 722-3500 to schedule a free consultation today.

How Hawk Law Group Can Help With a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Augusta 

How Hawk Law Group Can Help With a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Augusta 

The workers’ compensation system in Georgia offers fast financial relief to injured workers. However, it’s also designed to help employers and insurance companies–by shielding them from lawsuits. 

Moreover, workers’ comp insurers may look for ways to minimize your payout or deny your claims. You deserve someone in your corner who’s equally experienced with workers’ comp insurers. A personal injury lawyer in Augusta can level the playing field.

Hawk Law Group has over 71 years of combined experience helping people like you. When you trust our lawyers to protect you, expect a lawyer to:

  • Thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your accident and injuries
  • Identify all avenues for recovering maximum compensation
  • Hire experts and specialists who can help establish your rights
  • Handle the paperwork and administrative aspects of your case
  • Defend you if your employer claims your injuries were pre-existing

Our Augusta personal injury attorneys will negotiate to secure the maximum compensation you deserve. We’ve already recovered some of the highest settlements and verdicts in the area for our satisfied clients.

Don’t accept a lower benefit amount than you deserve. Call our law firm for a free case review today to learn more about how we can fight to maximize your workers’ compensation benefits.

How Common Are Work Accidents and Injuries in Augusta, GA?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), private employers reported over 2.8 million nonfatal work injuries and illnesses in 2019. Over 5,300 workers lost their lives in fatal work accidents that year.

Sadly, 207 of those fatal work accidents occurred in Georgia. Statewide, transportation accidents and workplace violence accounted for 57% of all workplace fatalities. Exposure to toxic substances was the third-leading cause of workplace fatalities across the state of Georgia.

Nonfatal work injuries are a much more widespread problem. More than 78,000 Georgia workers suffered nonfatal work injuries and illnesses in 2019. That’s about 213 injured workers per day.

What is My Augusta Workers’ Compensation Case Worth?

Employers in Georgia are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance if they employ three or more employees. Typically, workers who are hurt on the job aren’t entitled to sue their employer for damages. Instead, their compensation award is limited solely to what workers’ compensation provides.

Typically, the overall value of your workers’ compensation claim will depend upon:

  • The type and severity of your injuries
  • The number of days you miss from work
  • Your average weekly wages prior to the accident
  • The cost of your medical treatment
  • Whether your disability is permanent

Your weekly wage replacement check will be equal to about ⅔ of your average weekly wages prior to the accident. If you’re able to work in a partial capacity during your recovery, your weekly benefits check can be reduced to account for your earnings during that period. 

Despite the general rule, the maximum amount that you can receive per week is $675 if your disability occurred on or after July 1, 2019.

What Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Available in Georgia?

Workers’ compensation is the primary source of compensation if you suffered a workplace injury or illness. If your employer is required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance, you’re covered from your first day on the job.

Examples of the types of benefits that are available under Georgia workers’ compensation laws include:

  • Reasonable medical bills
  • Disability benefits
  • Benefits for loss of an arm, leg, or body part
  • Benefits for vision or hearing loss
  • Death benefits for survivors of fatal workplace accidents

Do you have questions about your benefits? Call an Augusta workers’ compensation attorney at Hawk Law Group for a free case review today.

Available Disability Benefits

You’re entitled to cash wage replacement benefits if you’re required to miss at least seven workdays because of your disability. If you miss at least 21 workdays, you’ll also receive a check for your first seven days of missed work.

You may be entitled to:

  • Temporary total disability benefits
  • Temporary partial disability benefits
  • Permanent partial disability benefits
  • Permanent total disability benefits

Your benefits status will depend on the severity of your injury and whether you’re able to work during your recovery.

When you file a workers’ compensation claim, you’ll receive money more quickly than if you file a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim. In fact, you should receive your first benefit check within 21 days. However, workers’ comp benefits are limited. In serious cases, they might not be enough to cover all of your losses.

What is a Third-Party Claim?

Workers’ compensation doesn’t provide any compensation for non-economic losses. Personal injury victims, on the other hand, are entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic losses.

You can’t sue your employer for damages. However, you may be able to sue a third party who caused your injuries. These personal injury lawsuits are called third-party claims.

Responsible parties may include:

  • Negligent drivers if you were hurt in a car accident
  • Property owners
  • Business owners
  • General contractors
  • Manufacturers of defective work equipment
  • Third-party vendors 
  • Engineers or architects

By filing a third-party claim, you open the door to recovering compensation for things like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life.

Our lawyer will conduct a detailed investigation to pinpoint the cause of your accident. With that information, we can identify any third parties who can be held accountable for damages above and beyond workers’ comp.

Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for Causing a Work Accident in Georgia?

Georgia’s modified comparative negligence law doesn’t apply when you file a claim for workers’ compensation. Workers’ comp is a no-fault system. The workers’ compensation insurance policy would cover your damages even if you were partly or wholly responsible.

Workers’ compensation may be a no-fault system, but employers and insurance companies can still challenge your right to benefits. 

Give us a quick call for a free consultation if you were hurt on the job in Augusta. Your case evaluation is always free of charge, so there’s no risk in getting legal help if your benefits claim has been challenged, delayed, or denied.

We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Workplace Injuries

Our lawyers at Hawk Law Group regularly represent clients who have sustained serious work injuries, including:

Remember, you don’t have to work on a dangerous construction site to suffer a serious accident. Any type of work injury can qualify for benefits under Georgia law. 

What Causes Most Work Injuries in Augusta, Georgia?

On-the-job injuries and illnesses in Augusta occur for a variety of reasons. At Hawk Law Group, we handle all types of workers’ compensation claims, including those involving:

Note that you don’t have to sustain injuries on your employer’s premises to qualify for benefits. You can claim benefits even if you were hurt while working offsite. The primary requirement is that you were performing work-related duties when you were hurt.

How Long Do I Have to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Georgia?

You should report your work injury to a supervisor within 30 days. If you wait longer, you could lose your right to benefits.

Georgia also has strict rules for claiming workers’ comp. Once you notify your employer, you should see an approved doctor quickly. You should file your claim soon after to ensure that your benefit checks start to arrive quickly.

If you’re eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit for additional damages, the statute of limitations in Georgia is two years. You have two years from the date of injury to take legal action.

Contact an Augusta Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Our lawyers at Hawk Law Group are always available to take your call. We’re here to offer sound legal advice when you need us the most. Schedule a free consultation with an experienced Augusta workers’ compensation lawyer today.

Our Personal Injury law firm in Agusta also provides:

Areas We Serve in Augusta, GA

We serve clients in Augusta, North Augusta, Downtown Augusta, Medical District, Forest Hills, Summerville, Murray Hill, Harrisburg, West End, Hammond’s Ferry, Harrisburg, Bethlehem, Glendale, Turpin Hill, South Turpin Hill, May Park, Sand Hills, and its surrounding areas.
We also handle injury cases throughout Georgia and South Carolina.