Macon Workers' Compensation Lawyer

If you have been hurt at work, the workplace injury lawyers at The Sessions Law Firm in Macon, GA can help. Workplace injuries can be complex, but we have a proven record of helping clients obtain the recovery that they deserve following an accident that occurs while they are on the job. Our Macon workers’ compensation lawyer can help put your mind at ease during a free consultation.

In order to help clients recover from accidents that occur at work, it is important that your lawyer has an extensive understanding of both Georgia workers compensation law and Georgia personal injury law. The difference in how the case will be handled as a workers’ compensation case or as a personal injury case is substantial. If you have been injured on the job and you need a lawyer in Macon, Georgia, The Sessions Law Firm can help. We have the resources required to fully investigate and pursue this case on your behalf.

If you are hurt while working but someone other than your employer caused your injuries, you may have a personal injury case against the person or company that caused your injuries. It is important that other sources of liability beyond your employer be investigated intensively. The liability of your employer can be limited as a result of Georgia’s worker’s compensation laws, but the liability of another party for your injuries may provide a basis for full compensation.

Are you an employee of Blue Bird Bus Manufacturing and have been hurt on the job, our Blue Bird Bus Workers’ Compensation lawyer can help.

Common Workplace Injuries in Macon, Georgia

• Manufacturing related injuries. We are fortunate that Macon and surrounding areas remain a home for thousands of manufacturing related jobs. However, employees at manufacturing plants face a high risk of injury.
• Logging industry injuries. Nationwide the logging industry is one of the most dangerous industries in our economy. Middle Georgia and Macon are home to numerous logging and pulpwood companies. If you have been injured while working with a logging company, we can help.
• Driving-related worker injuries. If you are on-the-job and injured in a car or truck accident, you may have a claim against the other driver and a workers’ compensation claim.

• Slip and Fall Accidents On The Job

  Slip and falls can be common occurrences in the workplace, whether falls on the same level or from substantial heights, for example, from a roof or a ladder. If an employer fails to correct or remove dangerous or hazardous conditions at a work site or in an office in Macon, workers can end up suffering serious injuries in slip and falls. Hazardous conditions can include, among others:

  • Uncovered cables
  • Slippery surfaces
  • Inadequate lighting
  • Snow and ice accumulations
  • Improperly maintained machinery

  According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. However, falls can also occur in stores, restaurants, hospitals, and many other work environments.

  Overexertion By Workers

  Overexertion can occur when a worker lifts a heavy object and consequently suffers from a musculoskeletal injury such as muscle strain, dislocation, or other soft tissue injuries. Overexertion is not only a common problem in the construction or warehouse industries but can also affect nurses and health aides, for example. Lifting and repositioning heavy patients at a hospital or in the nursing home in Macon can lead to serious injuries. If an employer does not provide adequate lifting equipment or assigns a sufficient number of employees for certain tasks, they could potentially be held liable.

  Struck by Objects at Work or While Visiting a Business

  Workers can get struck by falling objects from higher levels, such as tools, equipment, and other objects. This applies particularly to workers in the construction, warehouse, and manufacturing industries in Macon. Workers can get injured during the re-stocking of shelves or when moving equipment. Employers are responsible to protect their workers by issuing appropriate protective equipment such as helmets and eye protection.

  Caught In-Between Equipment at Work

  Caught in-between equipment at work can result in horrific injuries and fatalities. Workers occasionally get trapped and crushed between parts of machinery or heavy equipment. These types of injuries typically happen in the construction and manufacturing industries, where heavy objects and equipment are in daily use.

  There can be many other work injuries in Macon that could potentially lead to personal injury claims. However, not all accidents qualify for legal action. In order to have a strong personal injury claim, another individual or business, not necessarily an employer, must have acted negligently in causing a worker’s accident and injuries. On job sites, the negligent parties could include other contractors, companies renting out faulty equipment, or property owners. You should consider consulting with an experienced Macon personal injury lawyer to find out if you could receive compensation for your injuries and losses outside of your workers’ compensation claim.

What is workers’ compensation in Georgia?

Workers’ compensation is an accident insurance program paid for by your employer. Workers’ compensation benefits/payment may pay for medical care, rehabilitation services (e.g., physical therapy), and loss of income.

What is the purpose intent of the workers’ compensation plan in Georgia?

Workers’ compensation benefits are intended to help you return to work, and to compensate (offset losses) to your dependents if you die as a result of a job-related injury.

How do you know if the business you work (or worked) for has workers’ compensation insurance in place to protect workers?

How Is My Pay Calculated when I Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

Except as otherwise provided, the average weekly wages of the injured employee at the time of the injury shall be taken as the basis upon which to compute compensation and shall be determined, subject to limitations as to the maximum and minimum amounts provided for in Code Sections 34-9-261 and 34-9-265, as follows:

(1) If the injured employee shall have worked in the employment in which he was working at the time of the injury, whether for the same or another employer, during substantially the whole of 13 weeks immediately preceding the injury, his average weekly wage shall be one-thirteenth of the total amount of wages earned in such employment during the 13 weeks;

(2) If the injured employee shall not have worked in such employment during substantially the whole of 13 weeks immediately preceding the injury, the wages of a similar employee in the same employment who has worked substantially the whole of such 13 weeks shall be used in making the determination under the preceding paragraph;

(3) If either of the foregoing methods cannot reasonably and fairly be applied, the full-time weekly wage of the injured employee shall be used;

(4) If compensation is due for a fractional part of the week, the compensation for such fractional part shall be determined by dividing the weekly compensation rate by the number of days employed per week to compute the amount due for each day;

(5) If the injured employee is a volunteer firefighter included under this chapter for volunteer fire-fighting services rendered to a county or municipality of this state or a volunteer law enforcement officer included under this chapter for volunteer law enforcement services rendered to a county or municipality of this state, such firefighter’s or volunteer law enforcement officer’s average weekly wage shall be deemed to be the Georgia average weekly earnings of production workers in manufacturing industries for the immediately preceding calendar year, as published by the Georgia Department of Labor;

(6) The average weekly wage of a member of the Georgia National Guard or State Defense Force serving on state active duty pursuant to an order by the Governor shall be the greater of:

(A) Seven-thirtieths of the monthly pay and allowances of the individual at the time of the injury, computed in accordance with Code Section 38-2-250, adjusted from time to time for appropriated increases in such monthly pay and allowances, excluding longevity increases; or

(B) If the injured member of the Georgia National Guard or the State Defense Force worked at the time of the injury in any employment other than serving as a member of the Georgia National Guard or the State Defense Force, the average weekly wage of the individual in such other employment as determined pursuant to paragraphs (1) through (5) of this Code section or, if such individual worked at the time of the injury for more than one employer, the average combined weekly wage of the individual in such multiple employment as determined pursuant to paragraphs (1) through (5) of this Code section.

O.C.G.A. § 34-9-260.

During our initial case evaluation, we will be able to provide you guidance on your income benefits.

How Much Do I Get Paid if I Am Temporarily Disabled as A Result of A Injury at Work?

While the disability to work resulting from an injury is temporarily total, the employer shall pay or cause to be paid to the employee a weekly benefit equal to two-thirds of the employee’s average weekly wage but not more than $575.00 per week nor less than $50.00 per week, except that when the weekly wage is below $50.00, the employer shall pay a weekly benefit equal to the average weekly wage. The weekly benefit under this Code section shall be payable for a maximum period of 400 weeks from the date of injury; provided, however, that in the event of a catastrophic injury as defined in subsection (g) of Code Section 34-9-200.1, the weekly benefit under this Code section shall be paid until such time as the employee undergoes a change in condition for the better as provided in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Code Section 34-9-104.

O.C.G.A. § 34-9-261.

What are the most dangerous types of jobs?

We have done extensive work on the most dangerous types of jobs in the United States. If you’re interested in what types of occupations place you at the highest risk of suffering a on-the-job injury, visit this link: Fatal Injuries at Work: The Most Dangerous Jobs in the United States

What is the most common type of injury that we see in workers’ compensation cases?

We see all different types of injuries caused by a variety of different workplace hazards, but the most common workplace danger that we see are falls.

Do You Need the Help of A Macon Workplace Injury Attorney?

If you or a loved one needs a qualified workers’ comp lawyer to help you with a workers’ comp claim, contact The Session Law Firm today at (478) 254-2665. We offer clear and straightforward free case evaluation and legal advice. We will help you understand how medical expenses will be paid. We will help you understand the applicable state law and regulations governing your workers’ compensation case. We can help you understand whether disability benefits, including social security disability, may be available to you. We will help you understand what your legal rights are when you are communicating with workers’ compensation insurance companies regarding your workers’ compensation claim. If you have a loved one that was killed as a result of workplace incident (wrongful death), we will help you and your family understand the death benefits that are available.

We work to protect the rights of injured workers seeking the payments due to them under the GA Workers’ Compensation system. It is important that you understand your right to quality medical treatment after a workplace injury.

Please make sure that your GA workers’ compensation lawyers are evaluating the possibility of a personal injury claim. If there is a possibility of a third-party being liable for your work-related injury, our personal injury lawyers can help you. For example, if you suffered a fall through a skylight while performing work-related tasks, you may have a claim against the owner of the property.

Disclaimer: This page and this website do not create an attorney-client relationship. In order to retain a Macon workers’ compensation attorney at The Sessions Law Firm, you must have a written engagement agreement.