Did you suffer a catastrophic injury while on the job in Athens?
Get advice from the best workers’ compensation attorney near you.
A catastrophic injury can happen in any workplace in America, including right here in Athens, Georgia. Tragedy can strike without warning. Hardworking people are okay one minute, then the next, they are beset by a life-altering event.
Tens of thousands of men and women are injured, sometimes quite seriously, each year in Georgia. Besides a wrongful death lawsuit, a workplace accident involving catastrophic injury can be one of the most complex cases an attorney can tackle. Adding to the complexity is the fact that these types of cases often end in large financial payouts, which usually means a vast array of attorneys are working the case on both sides.
If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury at work, then it’s time to talk to an experienced Athens work injury lawyer who can help you navigate Georgia’s complicated workmans’ compensation law and fight to ensure you get the benefits you deserve. Contact Gerber & Elkins Workers’ Compensation Attorneys.
337 South Milledge Ave, Ste. 209-7
Athens, GA 30605
9:00am – 5:00pm (M-F)
Closed Saturday & Sunday
Client reviews
“Natalie Elkins is someone I highly recommend. She kept me informed at all times and provided me with excellent care. I suffer from anxiety and she made me feel at ease. When I say her work is impeccable, I mean just that. Suffered a neck and shoulder injury from working in a warehouse. This was the first attorney I called to get the help I need and I am so glad I came across this place. Thank you, Natalie. I hope you see this review. The outcome of this whole ordeal changed my life. My life is much better thanks to this attorney. God Bless.”
“I would highly recommend Gerber and Elkins for workers’ compensation representation. After nearly 2.5 years of dealing with multiple surgeries, medical supplies and physical therapy, Karen Lowell and her paralegal Jesse worked both diligently and continuously staying on top of my case! If I could rate higher stars… I would!.”
“I would absolutely recommend Gerber & Elkins if you are looking for a Worker’s Comp Lawyer in Atlanta. They were amazing throughout the entire process. They were not only concerned with the outcome of the case but also my well-being throughout my recovery.”
Common causes of catastrophic injuries in the workplace
Some of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries we see in the Georgia workplace include falls from an elevated height, car and truck crashes, dog bites and overexertion. It’s also not uncommon to have catastrophic injuries reported at nursing homes due to negligence, child care accidents and even medical malpractice.
Outside the workplace, a person can experience a sports-related catastrophic injury or birth-related catastrophic injury.
Types of on-the-job catastrophic injuries
Across Georgia, and in Athens specifically, some of the most common catastrophic injuries workers have sustained while on the job include:
- Amputation
- Loss of vision or complete blindness
- Severe burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Disfiguration
- Paralysis
- Electrocution
It’s also not uncommon to suffer bone fractures, internal bleeding or organ damage and severe back injuries. Lastly, and most unfortunately, the worst thing that can happen to a person on the job is death.
It’s vital that you understand your state’s unique rules and what benefits your family is entitled to receive.
Frequently asked questions about catastrophic workplace accidents
What makes an injury “catastrophic”?
A catastrophic injury is so severe that it often leaves victims with permanent bodily damage and long-term or permanent paralysis. In many cases, the injury involves the brain and/or spinal cord, and people who suffer from this life-altering tragedy often require 24-hour nursing care.
What can cause a catastrophic injury?
This type of injury can be caused by being in a car accident, being burned over a large portion of the body, suffering a hand/arm/foot/leg amputation, multiple bone fractures or the loss of an eye. Other examples of a catastrophic injury in the workplace would be neck or spine damage, organ damage or a traumatic brain injury.
Workplace machinery accidents, fires, motor vehicle crashes, construction accidents and defective products all contribute to the chances of a person suffering a catastrophic injury.
Who is liable for my catastrophic injury?
If a person or third party can be found responsible for a catastrophic injury, they can be held accountable for any losses the victim suffered. Examples of this include drivers found liable for the victim’s injuries due to careless driving while impaired, distracted or speeding, or a property owner being held accountable for any injuries sustained on their premises.
Also, the makers of any products found to be defective can be held financially responsible for a person’s injuries. It’s important to talk with an attorney to see if your situation is similar to one described above.
It’s important to note, however, that if you suffered a catastrophic injury at work, then your medical expenses and lost wages should be covered by your employer (or their insurance company) under Georgia workers’ compensation law. These benefits are owed regardless of who was liable for the injury.
What type of compensation can I receive after suffering a catastrophic injury at work?
Because of their debilitating nature, catastrophic injury victims often face complicated legal battles, longer court cases, and larger verdicts and settlements. Compensation for a work-related accident should include past, current and future medical expenses, rehabilitation expenses (if applicable), lost wages, and lost earning potential.
Injured workers in Georgia are not eligible for pain and suffering through their workers’ compensation claim, rather they must pursue an injury claim against a third-party if the wish to obtain benefits for emotional distress.
The bottom line is that due to the severity of the injury, the payout is much greater in cases of catastrophic workplace accidents.
Where in Athens, GA can I receive treatment for a catastrophic injury?
If you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury, chances are you’re being taken to a hospital. Some of the most well-known hospitals in Athens include St. Mary’s, Athens Piedmont Regional Med Center, Landmark Hospitals and Reddy Urgent Care.
Client success
Our record of winning accident cases in Georgia speaks for itself:
Should you hire an Athens catastrophic injury attorney?
You don’t have to suffer the trauma and pain of a catastrophic injury on your own. Reach out to an experienced Athens work injury lawyer at Gerber & Elkins Workers’ Compensation Attorneys today to talk with someone who can help you navigate the choppy waters of workers’ compensation and negligence lawsuits.
Getting your life back on track as smoothly as possible will take time and patience, but you shouldn’t have to worry about the costs involved. Our team of experienced attorneys have decades of experience and will fight for you at every turn.
