Georgia Worker’s Compensation Law:
7 Important Tips to Maximize the Settlement Benefits You Receive
− Jodi Brenner Ginsberg, Georgia Attorney at Law
TIP #1 – The Value of Timely Medical Care
Get timely medical care. If you do not go to the doctor or if you do not follow your doctor’s advice, the insurance company will conclude that your injury is not serious and that you do not need to be missing work. You may thereafter lose your weekly lost wage benefits as well as access to workers compensation medical care.
I’ll say it again, “Get timely medical care!” The clock is ticking.
TIP #2 – Taking Good Advice & Thinking Long-Term
Go though rehabilitation to improve your chances at healing. Here, too, it is extremely important to follow your doctor’s advice. If you have undergone surgery, your recovery and return to full functioning will often depend on your attendance at physical therapy. Do not sacrifice your long term health for short term gain.
TIP #3 – How to Know Which Doctors to Avoid (and Which to See)
Obtain medical treatment from a physician whose focus is on making you better. Issues arising from medical treatment under workers compensation are often the most hotly contested issues in your case. Experienced attorneys can make recommendations about high quality doctors who accept workers’ compensation patients because they know the entire legal landscape.
They can also advise you which doctors to avoid. Having a knowledgeable and experienced lawyer can mean the difference between a quality settlement or nothing at all. Additionally, quality medical care can make the difference between a poor result and making a full recovery.
TIP #4 – Additional Benefits Guaranteed to You
Obtain mileage reimbursement from the insurance company so you can afford to go to the doctor and obtain all recommended treatment. Many Georgia work injury claimants do not know that the insurance company must reimburse them for mileage arising from trips to and from the doctor. Insurance companies will also have to pay you penalties for late mileage checks.
These are all monies that are owed to you by law and can help you stay afloat as you manage your case.
TIP #5 – Doctor Knows Best
Follow your doctor’s treatment plan and limit your activities as your doctor orders. Workers compensation judges expect that claimants will follow their doctors’ advice and treatment recommendations. IMPORTANT: Insurance companies will hire private investigators to video tape you at home or running errands so you should limit your physical activities to no more than what your doctor recommends. If not, you may face strong opposition and compromise your circumstances.
TIP #6 – Managing Your Settlement Wisely
Invest your lump sum settlement money wisely so it can grow and support you down the road. If your case settles for $50,000, $100,000, $200,000 or more, it can seem that you have enough money to live on for years to come. In reality, this money needs to be managed carefully, especially if you will not be able to return to work anytime soon.
TIP #7 – Getting the Right People on Your Side
Just as choosing the right doctor to see you is vital, so is choosing the right attorney. What you need is an advocate to defend you. You need someone whom has the experience and understanding of the industry landscape. Someone who’s seen all the tricks and games insurance companies play! And someone who can push back when you are being taken advantage of.
It may sound self serving, but there is no single more important thing a injured worker can do than to have a knowledgeable and experienced lawyer to be an advocate for injured workers.
What Now?
It’s so important, friend, it’s worth repeating: “You need a LEGAL ADVOCATE whom can help you navigate the rough and perilous waters of Worker’s Compensation in Georgia.”
Next…
Stay tuned for the next installment of the Georgia Worker’s Compensation Survival Kit, where we will discuss the most Common Mistakes that people make, and how you can avoid them.
It will be emailed to you tomorrow so be on the look-out for it.
P.S. I hope you find this Survival Kit valuable but I want to emphasize that you should not consider anything in this Kit or on this website as legal advice. I can only offer legal advice to clients who have hired me by signing a written retainer agreement. So if you would like to learn more about Georgia workers’ compensation law impacts you based on the facts of your case, please call me today. Thanks!