Our Columbus workers’ compensation attorneys have been fighting for the rights of workers facing devastating on-the-job injuries and diseases for more than 100 years
Hurt on the job in Columbus and getting the runaround from your employer or their insurance company?
It happens more often than you might think. Workers in Muscogee County who should be focused on healing after a serious work-related injury or occupational disease often end up arguing with insurance companies to get basic medical treatment or wondering why the settlement offer on the table is nowhere near enough to cover their lost wages and future health care needs.
Maybe they’re saying your back injury is from “old age” or a pre-existing condition instead of years of heavy lifting in a warehouse. Maybe they’re questioning whether an accident that left you with a traumatic brain injury even happened at work. Or maybe they’ve stopped your benefits after offering you light-duty work you physically can’t handle.
At Gerber & Elkins, we’ve seen every excuse in the book—and we know how to shut them down.
Whether your injury stems from a sudden vehicle accident while driving for work or years of exposure to toxic substances like lead or silica dust, we’ll fight to get you the full workers’ comp benefits you’re entitled to under Georgia law.
Contact an experienced Columbus, GA workers’ compensation lawyer
We are excited to continue to grow into additional areas of the state, which allows us to better serve injured workers throughout Georgia. Our focus will remain on providing exemplary care for those who have been injured on the job.
Attorney Ben Gerber
1340 14th St
Columbus, GA 31901
8:30am – 5:00pm (M-F)
Closed Saturday & Sunday
Our local Columbus workers’ comp lawyers have extensive experience with many types of work injury claims
How do I get workers’ comp benefits after an injury in Columbus, GA?
If you live in Columbus or elsewhere in West Georgia and have suffered a job-related injury or illness, you must take certain steps to file a claim, and you have a limited time to do so.
If you suffered a work-related injury while on the job, review this checklist of important steps:
- Seek medical attention immediately. Unless it’s an emergency, you will need to see a doctor from your employer’s list of authorized treating physicians if you want your treatment to be covered under workers’ comp.
- Notify your supervisor or manager. Injured workers who fail to report a work-related injury or the discovery of an occupational disease within 30 days could lose their right to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
- File a claim. This is done by submitting Form WC-14 to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation. You will need to include details about your injury, such as which body part is injured, how and where the injury occurred, and contact information for potential witnesses. Georgia also has a “statute of limitations” (deadline) on filing a claim for work injuries. All workers’ compensation claims in Georgia must be filed within 1 year from the date of the accident.
After your claim is filed, be sure to follow your doctor’s treatment plan, attend all follow-up appointments, and avoid posting about your injury on social media, as insurance companies often monitor online activity to look for reasons to deny claims.
If you’re confused about the process, overwhelmed by the paperwork, or dealing with a denied claim, reach out to a Columbus work injury compensation attorney who can help file a claim or appeal a workers’ comp denial.
Learn what to do next to protect your rights. Know your workers’ compensation rights and responsibilities after a workplace injury or occupational illness.
What workers’ comp benefits can I get after an injury in Columbus, Georgia?
If you’ve been hurt at work, it’s important to report the accident to your manager and start the workers’ compensation process as soon as possible. The process officially begins once you report the incident and are receiving treatment.
While it greatly depends on your specific circumstances, Columbus workers who are injured on the job could be entitled to receive:
- Medical benefits. Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance should cover any expenses regarding medical treatment or diagnosis of on-the-job related injuries. Emergency room visits, as well as hospital and doctor appointments, are generally covered, as are prescription drugs and travel expenses (to and from medical care).
- Lost wages. Roughly two-thirds of your lost wages will be paid weekly, up to a certain cap. The 2 types of wage replacement benefits available are:
- Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits. These apply if you can’t work at all on a temporary basis. The maximum TTD benefits you can receive per week as of July 1, 2023, is $800.
- Temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits. These apply if you can work but are earning less than before your injury. An injured worker is eligible for TPD benefits for up to 350 weeks in Georgia.
- Permanent Partial Disability benefits (PPD). Following medical treatment, your physician may decide that you suffer from a certain level of “permanent” impairment, and that may allow you to qualify for PPD benefits. These weekly payments kick in when you are no longer receiving TTD or TPD wage replacement benefits. You may be able to get this payout even if you return to work.
- Death benefits. If an employee is tragically killed while on the job, these benefits are paid to the worker’s dependents (child or spouse) to cover funeral costs and lost wages.
It’s unfortunately common in Georgia for workers to suffer hearing loss, loss of eyesight or the complete loss of a body part due to amputation. In cases involving these and other catastrophic injuries, employees might be entitled to lifetime wage replacement benefits.
Client success
Our record of winning accident cases in Georgia speaks for itself:
Client reviews
“They were the most amazing team. They got me through my case quickly and handled everything with a quick response. Some of the nicest people, thank you for all your hard work, you made this effortless for me especially during this hard time.”
“I have the best experience with Natalie Elkins and her PA who was wonderful with the process I was going through. They lead me in the right direction and keep me from being overwhelmed. I’d give them more stars if it was allowed and would recommend her to anyone needing help.”
“Gerber and Elkins is, hands down, one of the best firms to work with. From a call and email from Ben Gerber to answer all my questions to Karen Lovell going above and beyond to handle my case. They did an amazing job and have the best level of communication I have ever come in contact with. While I hope I never need them again, I know if I by chance do, I will choose them again in a heartbeat.”
About Columbus, Georgia
Columbus, Georgia’s third-largest city, is located about 100 miles southwest of Atlanta on the banks of the Chattahoochee River on the border with Alabama. Home to nearly 200,000 residents – with another 300,000 residents living in the greater metropolitan area – Columbus has a rich history stretching back nearly 200 years.
The original natives of the Columbus area were Creek Indians. The town of Columbus, which took its name from the explorer Christopher Columbus, was founded in 1828. Being situated so close to the Chattahoochee River, which served as a major transportation artery for the city, helped it grow and prosper over the following decades. The city took another big step forward in the 1850s with the arrival of the railroad. As a result, many large textile mills sprang up along the riverbanks.
One of the largest employers and distinctive features of Columbus is Fort Benning, which is operated by the U.S. Army. Named for General Henry L. Benning (a native of Columbus), the fort was originally constructed in 1909 as a camp to train army infantry units. Today, the base houses more than 120,000 soldiers, staff and family members, and is the headquarters of the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and Armor School.
Several famous people were born in Columbus or now call the city home, including 5-time Grammy-winning blues guitarist and singer Robert Cray, actress and model Donna D’Errico, country music singer and former Army Ranger Keni Thomas, actress and founding member of TLC Rozonda Thomas (a.k.a. Chilli), former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, 2-time All-Star first baseman Glenn Davis, 4-time All-Star pitcher Tim Hudson, All-Star pitcher and World Series Champion Edwin Jackson and 4-time All-Star and 2014 Hall of Fame first baseman Frank Thomas.
Top employers and industries in Columbus, GA
Some of the largest employers in Columbus include Fort Benning (with more than 38,000 employees), the Muscogee County School District (roughly 6,300 employees), TSYS (a payment processing service that employs about 4,600 people), Aflac (with 3,600 employees) and the Columbus Regional Healthcare System (which counts just over 3,000 on its payroll).
Other large companies that have roots in the Columbus community are St. Francis Hospital, the Columbus Consolidated Government, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Columbus State University and aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney.
Local resources for Columbus, GA residents
Georgia General Assembly website
Municipal Court – Columbus
Government Center
100 10th St
Columbus, GA 31901
Muscogee Superior Court
100 10th St, 2nd Floor Tower
Columbus, GA 31902
Phone: (706) 653-4370
State Bar of Georgia – Legal Aid
Columbus Police Department
510 10th St
Columbus, GA 31901
Phone: (706) 653-3205
Emergency: 911
Muscogee County Public Schools
2960 Macon Rd
Columbus, GA 31906
Phone: (706) 748-2000
Columbus Public Library
3000 Macon Rd
Columbus, GA 31906
Phone: (706) 243-2669
Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce
1200 6th Ave
Columbus, GA 31902
Phone: (706) 327-1566
Looking for a local work injury law firm in Columbus, Georgia, you can count on?
At Gerber & Elkins, we’re driven by a vested interest in pursuing the best possible outcomes for every injured worker we represent throughout Georgia.
No legal team will work harder, smarter, or longer on your behalf than us. Our unwavering dedication extends far beyond Columbus into Atlanta, Athens, and throughout Muscogee County and Clayton County, where we’ve built a reputation for unparalleled legal support.
With more than 100 years of experience, our Columbus work injury lawyers are well-versed in local laws and possess the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of any case. We’re committed to ensuring you receive the justice and the compensation you deserve, no matter where you are in Georgia.
Contact Gerber & Elkins Workers’ Compensation Attorneys today to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can help maximize your workers’ comp claim.
