Were you hurt at work in Atlanta, GA? You may have options for getting money to cover your medical bills, lost pay, and more. Workers’ compensation might be one avenue, while a personal injury lawsuit might also be possible in some cases. The law firm of Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC can review your situation, explain your rights, and guide you toward the path that offers the best chance at fair compensation.
Our Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyers bring 85 years of combined experience to every case, and we’ve already helped clients recover over $600 million in total. We understand how tough it can be to face medical treatments, time off work, and mounting stress after a workplace accident. We’ll use our background and resources to pursue the results you need.
Reach out to our office for a free consultation at (404) 869-8600 to learn more. During this meeting, you can receive preliminary legal advice with no strings attached.
How Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC Can Help With Your Workers’ Comp Claim in Atlanta, GA
Getting hurt on the job in Atlanta, Georgia can lead to major challenges. You may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim to cover some of your losses. You might also have the choice to file a personal injury lawsuit against a third party for additional damages. However, navigating these legal paths isn’t always simple. Hiring an attorney can make it easier.
Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC is a top-rated personal injury and workers’ compensation law firm in Atlanta. Our Atlanta personal injury lawyers are skilled in negotiations and in the courtroom. Insurance companies know our reputation and often prefer to settle rather than face us at trial. We can support you by:
- Investigating Your Injuries: We’ll collect accident reports, medical records, photos, and other evidence.
- Exploring Your Legal Options: Workers’ comp may be your main route, but we’ll check if you can also file a lawsuit against a third party.
- Identifying Who Is Liable: Some injuries involve contractors, product manufacturers, or others who share the blame.
- Assessing Your Claim’s Worth: We’ll look at every cost, including medical bills, lost wages, and future expenses.
- Gathering Evidence: Strong documentation can boost your negotiating power or help you at trial.
- Negotiating a Settlement: Our lawyers have the skills to negotiate a deal that fully addresses your losses.
- Going to Court if Needed: We’re ready to file a lawsuit if an insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement.
If you want to learn more about hiring our Atlanta workplace accident attorneys, call our law office for a free consultation. We can talk about forming an attorney-client relationship and walk you through the legal process.
Workers’ Compensation in Georgia
Most employers in Georgia must carry workers’ compensation insurance. You can generally file a claim if you get hurt or sick at work. It’s considered a “no-fault” system, which usually means you can receive benefits even if you bear some blame for the accident — unless your misconduct (like fighting or drug use) caused the injury.
By filing a workers’ comp claim in Georgia, you can potentially secure benefits like:
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD): This pays part of your lost wages if you can’t work at all during your recovery.
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): If you can work but not at your previous level of pay or hours, TPD can fill some of the gap.
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): If your injury leaves you with a lasting impairment but you can still do some work, you may receive a certain amount.
- Permanent Total Disability: If you can’t return to work in any capacity, you may get long-term benefits.
- Death Benefits: If a work accident is fatal, family members may receive money for funeral costs and a portion of lost income.
Workers’ comp benefits can help, but they don’t cover everything. For instance, you can’t claim pain and suffering under workers’ comp alone.
Third-Party Personal Injury Claims
Sometimes, workers’ compensation isn’t enough to cover your overall losses. That’s when a third-party personal injury claim may help. You typically cannot sue your own employer if they carry valid workers’ comp insurance (except in rare cases). However, you can sue an outside party if they contributed to your injuries. Examples might include:
- A negligent driver if you were injured in a car accident while driving for work
- A property owner or general contractor if they failed to keep a work site safe
- A company that made or sold defective tools or equipment that harmed you
In a third-party suit, you can pursue extra damages like pain and suffering and possibly punitive damages. You’d have to show the outside party was negligent. A lawyer can review your accident and see if you have grounds to file such a claim.
How Valuable Is My Atlanta Workers’ Compensation Claim?
It’s hard to say exactly how much a workplace injury claim is worth without knowing the details. Each situation is unique, shaped by factors like:
- The severity of your injuries
- Your ability to work
- Third-party claims
- The strength of your evidence
We’re happy to chat with you during a free consultation to estimate what your case is worth. Although it’s only an estimate, it can guide your expectations.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Workplace Injury in Atlanta?
You can’t collect every type of loss through workers’ compensation alone. The main benefits typically include coverage for medical treatments, a portion of your lost wages, and possible disability payments. You do not receive money for pain and suffering or emotional distress under Georgia’s workers’ comp system.
If you can bring a third-party personal injury lawsuit, however, you can seek:
- Economic Damages: These include bills for ongoing care, rehab, lost income, and other financial losses.
- Non-Economic Damages: Pain, mental anguish, reduced quality of life, and disfigurement can be claimed if someone besides your employer caused your harm.
- Punitive Damages: In rare cases, if you prove the third party acted extremely recklessly, you may be awarded these punitive damages meant to punish bad behavior.
Knowing which path to take can be tricky, so it’s wise to consult an attorney who can review your situation and advise which claims might apply.
What if I’m Being Blamed for My Workplace Accident in Georgia?
You can generally qualify for benefits, even if you were partially at fault, unless your injury was caused by willful misconduct, such as being under the influence of alcohol or drugs or instigating a fight. For third-party suits, though, Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence law with a 50% bar. This means:
- If you’re 50% or more at fault, you can’t win damages in a standard negligence case.
- If you’re less than 50% at fault, you can still recover something, but your award will be reduced according to your percentage of fault.
Insurance adjusters might try to pin blame on you. A lawyer can fight these claims with evidence that someone else primarily caused your injuries.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Atlanta?
At Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC, we work on a contingency fee basis for workers’ comp and personal injury cases. Here’s how that helps you:
- There are no upfront payments or hourly fees.
- You only pay if we win.
- Our fee is a percentage of your settlement or verdict.
This setup lets anyone get high-quality legal help without worrying about big bills, even if finances are tight.
How Much Time Do I Have To File a Workers’ Comp Claim in Georgia?
There are a few deadlines to keep in mind:
- Report Your Injury: You must tell your employer about a work-related accident within 30 days.
- Workers’ Comp Claim: You generally have one year from the date of your injury to file a claim.
- Personal Injury Lawsuit: If you have a third-party lawsuit, you generally have two years from the accident date to sue. Certain exceptions may alter that window, so calling a lawyer soon is crucial.
Failing to meet these timelines can limit or even erase your right to recover any money.
Contact Our Atlanta Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation
Were you hurt on the job in Atlanta, Georgia? Workers’ compensation can help with medical costs and part of your lost wages, but it doesn’t cover every kind of damage. You could also bring a personal injury lawsuit against someone who contributed to your injuries, leading to a bigger financial recovery. An attorney at Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC can explain these options in detail and guide you from start to finish.
Our Atlanta workers’ compensation attorneys share 85 years of combined experience and have recovered over $600 million for their clients. We’re ready to use our skills for you as well. Call now for a free consultation.
