GEORGIA WORKERS COMPENSATION ~ Specific Type of Injuries QUESTIONS ABOUT SPECIFIC INJURIES
Q. Can I be compensated for occupational related diseases?
Yes. If your disease meets certain tests imposed by law, you can be compensated. There must be a causal relationship between your employment and the disease. It cannot be a disease that is an ordinary disease of life to which others are exposed.
Q. What happens if I re-injure a pre-existing condition or injury?
The Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act limits the extent to which an aggravation of a pre-existing condition or injury is compensable. An aggravation of an on-the-job injury is compensable while the aggravation is the cause of the disability. Once the aggravation resolves and you return to the pre-injury condition, the claim will no longer be compensable.
Q. Can I be compensated for a repetitive motion injury?
Yes. Repetitive motion injuries are compensable if they arise out of and in the course of employment.
Q. What is a catastrophic injury?
Catastrophic injuries are extremely severe injuries, i.e., loss of limbs, severe burns, etc. Your employer is required to appoint a rehabilitation supplier who has expertise in handling catastrophic cases. This person would assist you in managing your medical care as well as any other assistance you might need in the recovery period following the accident. You will be entitled to Temporary Total Disability benefits for as long as you remain unable to work. Once you have returned to work, the Temporary Total Disability benefits will cease. If you are placed in a lower paying job, you will begin receiving Temporary Partial Disability benefits. After those benefits have been paid, you will begin receiving Permanent Partial Disability benefits.
Q. Are heart attacks and strokes covered under workers’ compensation?
Maybe. Heart attacks and strokes are not considered injuries under workers’ compensation unless it is shown by a preponderance of competent and credible evidence, which shall include medical evidence, that the condition was attributable to the performance of the usual work of employment.
Make it a great day!
Howard Spiva
The Spiva Law Group does not represent insurance companies and is dedicated solely to the representation of individuals who are injured and their families.
