Traveling Injuries and Workers’ Compensation
by
Kirk Farrar on May. 10, 2017
Employment Workers' Compensation Accident & Injury Accident & Injury Personal Injury
Summary: Understand how workers' compensation in the state of Georgia works in the case of traveling injuries.
Workers' Compensation is a form of insurance that most employers in Georgia (and across the nation) carry to cover the costs of lost income, rehabilitation and medical needs for injured employees. The intentions of such benefits are to protect you when you get hurt, and to help you get back on your feet and back to work. However, for those who are permanently injured, they can receive extended benefits.
Workers' compensation even covers those employees who are injured while traveling in the course of their job. Read an overview of traveling injuries and workers' compensation, when you can get coverage for being hurt while traveling, and what you need to do for help.
Workers' compensation is designed to cover any kind of injuries you suffer while on the job. This includes traveling in the course of your work-related duties.
However, traveling injuries and workers' compensation aren't universal; not all travel is covered under workers' compensation laws. For example, if you get into a car accident while commuting to and from work, it's likely you won't be covered. There are exceptions and it is important to discuss the facts of your claim with a competent workers' compensation attorney to determine coverage.
If you are traveling throughout the course of the day to accomplish your job, you can be eligible for compensation. For example, if you’re injured while traveling from your place of business to a meeting with a client, on a business trip or headed to a service appointment at a client's home or office you can be eligible for workers' compensation.
If you're hurt while traveling for work and in need of medical attention, you need to take the right steps to get covered. First, you should report the injury to your boss or supervisor as soon as humanly possible. In Georgia, you have 30 days to report your injury, but the sooner you act, the more likely your claim is to be taken seriously.
When you report your injury, your employer is required to do two things: first, they will give you an accident report to complete and turn in. Second, they will direct you to a list of approved medical providers, as well as give you contact information so that you can schedule an appointment to get seen.
When you report your accident, whether on the form or to a medical provider, be concise, detailed, clear and consistent. Under no circumstances should you embellish your injury - just stick to the facts and tell them exactly what happened. Workers' compensation is a no-fault system, so there is no need to establish blame. Just focus on your injuries.
Under workers' compensation laws, you cannot sue your employer for issues like pain and suffering or emotional damages. You will receive coverage for all medical treatments, including hospitalization, doctor's visits, medication, and any physical rehab or therapy required. You'll also get a limited weekly benefit amounting to 2/3 of your weekly pay, with a maximum of $575 per week for accidents after July 1, 2016.
If your injury is catastrophic and debilitating for life, you can receive benefits for life. Otherwise, for non-catastrophic injuries, you are restricted to 400 weeks of compensation. Should you receive another job with lesser pay, your benefits will, in turn, be reduced to a maximum weekly compensation of $385 per week.
Additionally, if you are injured while traveling due to the negligence of another party, you potentially have what is called a third party claim against the other party as well. These cases are technical and will likely require the assistance of a qualified attorney.
Sometimes, traveling injuries and workers' compensation claims will be denied. If this happens, it may not be the end of the road. Call a qualified workers' compensation attorney like the team at Farrar, Hennesy & Tanner, LLC for help getting the coverage you deserve.
Workers' compensation even covers those employees who are injured while traveling in the course of their job. Read an overview of traveling injuries and workers' compensation, when you can get coverage for being hurt while traveling, and what you need to do for help.
Traveling Injuries and Workers' Compensation
Workers' compensation is designed to cover any kind of injuries you suffer while on the job. This includes traveling in the course of your work-related duties.
However, traveling injuries and workers' compensation aren't universal; not all travel is covered under workers' compensation laws. For example, if you get into a car accident while commuting to and from work, it's likely you won't be covered. There are exceptions and it is important to discuss the facts of your claim with a competent workers' compensation attorney to determine coverage.
If you are traveling throughout the course of the day to accomplish your job, you can be eligible for compensation. For example, if you’re injured while traveling from your place of business to a meeting with a client, on a business trip or headed to a service appointment at a client's home or office you can be eligible for workers' compensation.
What to Do When You're Hurt
If you're hurt while traveling for work and in need of medical attention, you need to take the right steps to get covered. First, you should report the injury to your boss or supervisor as soon as humanly possible. In Georgia, you have 30 days to report your injury, but the sooner you act, the more likely your claim is to be taken seriously.
When you report your injury, your employer is required to do two things: first, they will give you an accident report to complete and turn in. Second, they will direct you to a list of approved medical providers, as well as give you contact information so that you can schedule an appointment to get seen.
When you report your accident, whether on the form or to a medical provider, be concise, detailed, clear and consistent. Under no circumstances should you embellish your injury - just stick to the facts and tell them exactly what happened. Workers' compensation is a no-fault system, so there is no need to establish blame. Just focus on your injuries.
What Will Be Covered?
Under workers' compensation laws, you cannot sue your employer for issues like pain and suffering or emotional damages. You will receive coverage for all medical treatments, including hospitalization, doctor's visits, medication, and any physical rehab or therapy required. You'll also get a limited weekly benefit amounting to 2/3 of your weekly pay, with a maximum of $575 per week for accidents after July 1, 2016.
If your injury is catastrophic and debilitating for life, you can receive benefits for life. Otherwise, for non-catastrophic injuries, you are restricted to 400 weeks of compensation. Should you receive another job with lesser pay, your benefits will, in turn, be reduced to a maximum weekly compensation of $385 per week.
Additionally, if you are injured while traveling due to the negligence of another party, you potentially have what is called a third party claim against the other party as well. These cases are technical and will likely require the assistance of a qualified attorney.
Seeking Help for Denials
Sometimes, traveling injuries and workers' compensation claims will be denied. If this happens, it may not be the end of the road. Call a qualified workers' compensation attorney like the team at Farrar, Hennesy & Tanner, LLC for help getting the coverage you deserve.