When Georgia employees suffer injuries on the job, they may be able to receive benefits through workers' compensation. The vast majority of employers are required to have coverage. The specific types of injuries covered by workers' compensation are those connected to a requirement or condition of an employee's job.
While many may think of an injury in a mine shaft or damage caused by malfunctioning factory equipment, workers' compensation benefits can also apply to lung cancer caused by years of smoke inhalation at a bar that allowed smoking or a repetitive stress injury from many hours at the computer. The main framework for understanding a work-related injury is that it happened while a worker was carrying out some action on behalf of the employer. The injury doesn't necessarily need to have occurred on company property, just in the course of employment.
Workers' compensation can relate to mental illness and injury in addition to physical illness if such injuries were sustained because of the job or while on the job. If an employee has a pre-existing condition that was worsened in the course of employment, benefits might also be available. Toxic exposure caused by working with chemicals over the years or other long-term illnesses could also be covered under workers' compensation. Claims are not based on concepts of fault or negligence, as benefits are for the most part available even if the employee was a cause of the accident that led to the injury.
Filing for workers' compensation can sometimes be confusing to an injured employee. An attorney can often provide assistance in ensuring that the claim is complete and filed on a timely basis.
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