As Atlanta, Georgia Workers’ Compensation Attorneys, we understand that any workplace injury can be devastating. However, certain injuries are just more serious than others. For purposes of Atlanta, Georgia workers’ compensation, injuries are divided into two types: catastrophic injuries and non-catastrophic injuries. Catastrophic injuries are permanent and life-changing and may cause death or render you unable to ever go back to your old work and your old life.
The workers’ compensation benefits available to those who suffer a catastrophic injury differ than the benefits that workers’ compensation provides to those with more minor injuries. Unfortunately, because the costs of paying benefits for catastrophic injuries is often very high, many employers will try to downplay the extent of the injury or even look for reasons to deny your claim or reduce your benefits.
With so much at stake in catastrophic injury situations, it is very important that you have a dedicated Atlanta, Georgia Workers’ Compensation Attorney representing you and looking out for your interests.
If you’ve been injured at work you need to speak with an experienced workers compensation lawyer as soon as possible.
What is a Catastrophic Workplace Injury?
A catastrophic workplace injury is an injury that has a permanent and significant impact on your life. It is not just a broken leg or a minor medical issue that you can recover from and go back to work. Instead, when you suffer a catastrophic injury, you may experience ongoing impairment that lasts for the rest of your life.
Some examples of catastrophic workplace injuries include:
- Severe spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis, paraplegia or quadriplegia
- Amputation
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Second or third degree burns
- Blindness
- Head trauma
- Death
These are just some examples of the most common catastrophic injuries that occur as a result of workplace accidents. When one of these injuries occurs, the injured victim or his family members should consult with an Atlanta, Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer right away to ensure that nothing goes wrong with making a workers’ comp claim. There are strict requirements that must be met and deadlines that must be followed, so it can be easy to lose track of these legal matters when coping with a serious illness. Let an experienced Atlanta, Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer take care of the legal issues for you.
Atlanta, Georgia Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Catastrophic Workplace Injuries
When you experience catastrophic workplace injuries, not only is it possible that you will need medical care for the rest of your life, but your ability to earn a living may also be impacted.
Atlanta, Georgia workers’ compensation benefits should provide full coverage for all medical bills that you incur, as well as for transportation to medical care providers and adaptive devices that you may need. Your future medical bills should be covered as well, and our experienced Atlanta, Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers can help you to make sure that any settlement agreement covers future medical bills and/or can help to ensure that your employer makes ongoing payments as needed.
In addition to medical benefits, workers’ compensation benefits will also pay you disability income if your earning power is reduced or if you cannot work at all due to your injury. For non-catastrophic injuries, benefits are limited to 400 weeks of disability payments, but those who have suffered a catastrophic injury can continue to receive disability benefits – sometimes for life.
Finally, other benefits may be paid as well depending on the nature of the injury as determined by workers’ compensation statutes. For example, family members of workers who are killed in workplace accidents can make a claim to cover the cost of funeral expenses. Our Atlanta, Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers can help you to understand the full extent of the benefits to which you are entitled.
