Workers can be injured on the job. That’s nothing new. More than 4,000 years ago, in the city-state of Ur, their legal code stated that injured workers were to be compensated for specific injuries sustained while working. Since then, many governments have tried to compensate injured workers in some way.
The Industrial Revolution of the 1800s resulted in England and Germany passing Worker’s Compensation laws in the 1890s. In the U.S., each state passed their own version of Worker’s Comp laws, concluding with Mississippi Worker’s Comp laws being passed in 1948. Overall, the system is considered an American success story. Employees are covered for medical expenses, compensated and encouraged to be rehabilitated. However, the downside is that the Worker’s Comp system is excessively intricate, bureaucratic and very difficult to understand.
In Georgia, most employers carry Worker’s Comp insurance. In general, medical treatment will be paid for until the matter has been resolved. When someone suffers a serious injury resulting in either temporary or permanent disability, the injured worker may be entitled to a weekly check for medical costs and related expenses, including mileage and living expenses.
Unfortunately, the highly regulated Worker’s Comp system can leave an injured worker without the medical care or compensation that they they are entitled to. The Worker’s Comp doctor may downplay the severity of the injury or the treatment necessary. A worker may be cleared to return to work too early. The Worker’s Comp representative may disallow certain medications or treatments. The injured worker will feel that they are trapped by rules and red tape at a time when they are least able to deal with it.
A lot is at stake. The family still needs food on the table and the rent or mortgage must be paid. There will be many incidental, extra expenses because of the injury (travel costs, child care, meals out, etc.). Medical costs for some injuries may continue far into the future. It pays to consult a worker’s comp lawyer in Athens with considerable experience with Worker’s Comp and level the playing field. Otherwise, the injured worker will be the only person involved in the matter who does not understand the Worker’s Comp system.
Worker’s Comp lawyer in Athens Thomas Thaxton Monk and his professional legal staff at the Monk Law Firm focus on fighting for their injured clients. Click here to learn more about the services offered and to schedule a free consultation.
