Not everyone is in perfect health. You may have suffered a back injury in the past or may struggle with pain already. You can still become injured in a work accident; you may still be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Proving an aggravation or exacerbation claim is not easy, which is why you need an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer on your side.
The Law Office of Bryan Hawkins should be your first choice for Workman’s Compensation claims. Mr. Hawkins is understanding, honest, and very responsive while helping his clients. He goes above and beyond what any attorney I have dealt with has ever done. He gave my son peace of mind by explaining the paperwork he received so he could understand what was expected of him. He was polite, and sincerely wants what is best for his client. I highly recommend Bryan S. Hawkins.
Workers’ compensation is all we do at The Law Office of Bryan S. Hawkins. Our attorneys have devoted our entire practice to workers’ compensation. We proudly represent the hardworking men and women throughout Georgia. We will utilize our talents to help you obtain the benefits that you deserve while treating you with respect and compassion.
To schedule a free initial consultation with one of our lawyers, call our office in Augusta at 706-305-1130 or fill out our online contact form.
What You Should Know If You Have A Pre-Existing Condition
When a workers’ comp claim involves a pre-existing injury being aggravated or a chronic condition being exacerbated, the insurance companies often deny the claim outright and hotly contest it on appeal. There are a few things you should know about pre-existing condition claims:
- Aggravation is compensable: You do not have to be in perfect health to be compensated. If aggravation occurs in the course of employment, it is compensable.
- Idiopathic injuries are still compensable: An injury, like a heavy lifting injury, could result from lifting a box at home or at work. If the event that caused the aggravation occurred at work, it is compensable even if the injury could have occurred at home.
- It can be congenital: Were you born with the pre-existing condition? It is still compensable if a work activity aggravated the injury or exacerbated the symptoms.
- Employer not notified? You can still recover compensation even if your employer is unaware of the pre-existing condition, unless you fraudulently misrepresented it in the hiring process. This exception is limited and the burden of proof is on your employer. You do need to notify your employer of the aggravating incident itself.
About Bryan S. Hawkins
Bryan S. Hawkins is a Georgia Workers’ Compensation attorney representing injured employees before the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation. With over 2000 claims handled and past experience as an insurance defense attorney, Bryan offers unmatched insight and dedicated advocacy for injured workers across Georgia.
Education and Experience
A graduate of Mississippi College School of Law and the University of Georgia, Bryan is admitted to practice in multiple Georgia courts. Since opening his Augusta firm in 2009, he has built a reputation for providing compassionate and effective representation backed by deep legal experience and professional integrity.
Have Questions? We Will Answer Them In A Free Initial Consultation.
We understand that workers’ compensation can be very confusing; it is for those who do not focus on these cases. We welcome your questions and always make careful case-by-case determinations.
Contact us by calling our office in Augusta at 706-305-1130. You can also send us your information online.