Rome, GA Work Injury Law Firm

Most employees in Rome are covered by Georgia’s workers’ compensation system—but not everyone qualifies.

Under Georgia law, any business with 3 or more employees (including part-time and seasonal workers) must carry workers’ comp insurance. If you work for one of these employers and suffer a job-related injury or develop an occupational illness directly caused by your job duties, you’re likely eligible for workers’ comp benefits.

However, some types of workers are exempt from Georgia workers’ comp coverage, including:

If you’re not sure whether you’re covered—or if your claim has been denied due to your job classification or misclassification—don’t assume you’re out of options. A local Georgia workers’ comp attorney can help you understand your rights and fight back if you’ve been unfairly excluded from benefits.

If you’ve been hurt on the job in Rome and can’t work, Georgia workers’ compensation provides direct financial relief through indemnity benefits to help you get by while you heal. 

While these benefits won’t replace your full wages, they typically cover two-thirds of your average weekly wage—up to a maximum (which is $800 per week as of July 1, 2023). Since indemnity benefits are tax-free, they may be somewhat similar to your regular take-home pay.

In addition to wage replacement, workers’ comp provides medical benefits that cover 100% of your authorized medical care, including doctor visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications—with no copays or deductibles. You’re entitled to these benefits regardless of whether you can continue working or need time off to recover from your injury.

If you suffered an injury that makes it impossible to return to your previous job, you may qualify for vocational rehabilitation to help you transition into a new line of work. Workers with a catastrophic injury like paralysis or an amputation who are unable to return to any type of work may qualify for permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits or permanent total disability (PTD) benefits.

And in the most tragic cases, where a workplace injury results in death, Georgia provides workers’ comp death benefits to surviving dependents, including income replacement benefits and up to $7,500 in funeral expenses.

Even if you qualify for workers’ comp after an injury in Rome, you won’t get benefits unless you report your injury and file a claim within the specified time limits. Even a simple mistake early on can delay or derail your claim, so it’s important to act quickly and correctly.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Report your injury to your employer. Georgia law gives you up to 30 days to report a work injury or the diagnosis of an occupational disease. The sooner you notify your employer (ideally in writing), the better your chances of avoiding a dispute down the line.
2. Get medical care from an approved provider. Your employer should provide a list of authorized physicians, known as a “panel of physicians.” You must choose a doctor from that list for your treatment to be covered. If it’s an emergency, go to the nearest ER first—then follow up with an approved doctor as soon as possible.
3. File a formal workers’ comp claim. To officially begin your claim, you must complete and submit Form WC-14 to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation within 1 year of your injury. Be sure to send copies to both your employer and their insurance company.

Once your claim is filed, the insurance company has 21 days to accept or deny it. If they approve your claim, you’ll start receiving benefits like medical coverage and wage replacement. If they deny it, don’t panic because you have the right to file an appeal.

However, appealing a denied claim can be extremely difficult on your own. It’s always best to contact a Rome work injury compensation attorney for help because they understand how the system works and can significantly increase your chance of success.