Determining the Validity of a Catoosa County Workers’ Compensation Claim

The Georgia workers’ compensation system has two goals: compensate workers hurt on the job while avoiding a glut of work-related personal injury lawsuits clogging up the courthouses. While these laws routinely pay out compensation to injured workers, not every injury results in a valid workers’ compensation claim.

Workers’ compensation insurance may not cover some injuries due to issues outside of an employee’s control. However, an unfortunate number of injured workers get nothing for their claims due to a technical mistake on their part. With the help of an experienced Catoosa County workers’ compensation lawyer, you could have the assistance of an experienced professional to make sure you comply with all of the requirements of a workers’ compensation claim.

Catoosa County Workers’ Compensation Process

In Georgia, any business that regularly employs at least three full-time workers must carry a workers’ compensation insurance policy. A regular employee is one that has set hours, even if that employee works part-time.

When a worker sustains an injury on the job, that person has the right to file a claim for workers’ compensation. If a worker’s employer does not put up a fight, he or she would receive a payment within a matter of days. However, it is common for employers to contest these claims.

If a workers’ compensation claim is ultimately successful, the amount of compensation an injured worker recovers depends on the severity of the injury and the impact it has on an ability to work in the future.

Common Grounds for Denial of a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Unfortunately, not every work-related injury results in a successful workers’ compensation claim. Many employers aggressively fight even the most substantial claims to keep their insurance premiums low. A skilled Catoosa County workers’ compensation attorney might be able to help an injured worker maximize their recovery.

Some common issues that may result in an invalid workers’ compensation claim include:

Failure to Timely Report an Injury

An injured worker is required by workers’ compensation laws to report an accident to a supervisor right away. A delay in reporting an injury is often viewed suspiciously by an employer and may lead to a denial. If an employee waits more than 30 days, he or she loses out on the ability to file form compensation.

Failure to Seek Immediate Medical Treatment

An injured employee could jeopardize their chance at compensation by delaying their medical treatment following an accident. The more time that passes between an accident and medical treatment, the more likely an employer would argue the injury was caused somewhere other than the workplace.

Failure to Disclose Prior Injuries

A prior injury does not prevent an employee from successfully recovering on a workers’ compensation claim. However, an employer is likely to deny a claim if an employee fails to disclose any previous work-related injuries.

Failing a Drug Test

An employer is especially likely to deny a compensation claim if the injured worker fails a post-accident drug test. A failed drug test result leaves the impression that intoxication at the time of the accident was a factor. A positive test result could ruin an otherwise strong claim for compensation.

Contact a Catoosa County Workers’ Compensation Attorney

With one simple mistake, you could destroy the viability of your workers’ compensation claim. Your compensation is too important to put at risk through an avoidable error. Contact a Catoosa County workers’ compensation lawyer to ensure you make the strongest case possible for your recovery.