When you get hurt at work, whether it is a cumulative injury that results from years of repetitive work or the consequence of a machinery malfunction, workers’ compensation insurance benefits will protect you.
Workers in Georgia can rely on benefits for both the partial replacement of their wages during their convalescent period and for total coverage of their medical expenses. However, the doctor overseeing your care or even the insurance company could decide that you need to return to work before you are truly better. What are your options in that situation?
Knowing the right steps to take can protect your benefits
Under Georgia state law, a worker who refuses to return to work during the recovery or when medical professionals deem they are able to resume job responsibilities will lose their eligibility for workers’ compensation.
Still, that doesn’t mean you have to go back to a job where your condition continually worsens and you experience severe symptoms or pain. Instead, you need to learn more about your rights, like the right to reasonable accommodations at work.
Your employer may need to adjust your responsibilities or even provide you with equipment to make your job easier. In some cases, you might benefit from a second opinion. You might just need to be a bit more open with the doctor about how severe your symptoms are and the way that they impact your life.
When you get hurt at work and your employer or the insurance company won’t work with you, you need help. Rather than turning to an impersonal attorney who communicates through a paralegal, you deserve real, personalized support.
Steven L. Morgan is a local lawyer who helps injured workers navigate complex workers’ compensation claims. Reaching out to him online or by calling 912-289-0640 can help you secure the support you need during your recovery.
