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#Workers compensation laws

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT GEORGIA'S WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAW

WHAT IS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION?

Workers’ compensation is an accident insurance program paid by your employer which may provide you with medical, rehabilitation and income benefits if you are injured on the job. These benefits are provided to help you return to work. It also provides benefits to your dependents if you die as a result of a job related injury.

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WORK TO BE COVERED UNDER WORKERS’ COMPENSATION?

You are covered from the first day on your job.

HOW DO I KNOW IF THE COMPANY I WORK FOR IS COVERED BY WORKERS’ COMPENSATION?

The law requires any business with three or more workers, including regular part-time workers, to have workers’ compensation insurance. Coverage can be verified by going to www.sbwc.georgia.gov and click on “How Do I verify an employer’s workers’ compensation insurance coverage”.

WHEN SHOULD I REPORT AN ACCIDENT THAT HAPPENDED ON THE JOB?

You should report any accident occurring on the job to your employer (boss, foreman, or supervisor) immediately. If you wait longer than 30 days, you may lose your benefits.

WHAT DO I DO ABOUT A DOCTOR?

Your employer is required to post information identifying medical care providers. Your employer may satisfy this requirement in one of the following ways:

1. Post a Traditional Panel of Physicians consisting of a minimum of six doctors. You may choose any one of the six. However, the Board may grant exceptions to the required size of the panel where it is demonstrated that six physicians or groups of physicians are not reasonably accessible. The panel must include one orthopedic physician and not more than two industrial clinics. Where possible a minority physician must be included. You may make one change to another doctor on the list without the permission of your employer.

2. Post the name of the Workers’ Compensation Managed Care Organization (WC/MCO) certified by the Board which your employer has contracted with to provide medical services. Your employer must give you a notice of the eligible medical service providers and post a 24 hour toll free number for the managed care organization. A managed care representative will assist you in scheduling an appointment with the eligible medical provider of your choice. You may make one change to another eligible physician at any time, without the permission of your employer.

WHO PAYS FOR THE DOCTOR?

Your company’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier will pay for your authorized medical treatment, if the treatment was for an on-the-job injury.

WHAT MEDICAL TREATMENT WILL BE PAID?

All authorized doctor bills, hospital bills, physical therapy, prescriptions, and necessary travel expenses if the injury or illness was caused by an accident on the job. You may also be entitled to medical and vocational rehabilitation.

HOW LONG WILL I RECEIVE MEDICAL BENEFITS?

All injuries occurring on or before June 30, 2013 shall be entitled to lifetime medical benefits.  If your accident occurred on or after July 1, 2013 medical treatment shall be limited to a maximum period of 400 weeks from the accident date.  If your injury is catastrophic in nature you may be entitled to lifetime medical benefits.

WHEN DO I GET MY BENEFITS?

You are entitled to weekly income benefits if you are unable to work for more than 7 days. Your first check should be mailed to you within 21 days after the first day you missed work. If you miss more than 21 consecutive days, you will be paid for the first week.

CIVIL PENALTIES

Any person who knowingly and intentionally makes a false or misleading statement for the purpose of obtaining or denying benefits or payment under the law may be assessed a civil penalty of not less than $1,000.00 or more than $10,000.00 per violation. The Board may assess a penalty of not less than $500.00 nor more than $5,000.00 per violation for an employer’s failure to be insured for workers’ compensation.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES

In addition to civil penalties, a person, firm or corporation who makes false and misleading statements or representations may face criminal sanctions by imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.

Any employer who refuses or willfully neglects to have workers’ compensation insurance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.