Your Workers’ Comp Rights In Georgia

Have you suffered an illness or injury related to your employment? Whether you work in an office or at a manufacturing plant, in our health care system or other industry, you have rights under the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act.
The Law Office of Bryan S. Hawkins is proud to help enforce your rights. We devote our entire legal practice to representing injured people in Georgia’s workers’ compensation system. Before founding the firm, however, Bryan S. Hawkins was a workers’ comp defense lawyer, so he knows the strategies used by your opponent. It’s like having the other team’s playbook.
Need help enforcing your rights? Call us for a free initial consultation. Contact our office in Augusta at 706-305-1130 or send us an email. We represent individuals throughout the state.
We Know Your Rights. We Will Help You Enforce Them.
It is important that you know your rights so that you know when to speak up, when to contact a lawyer, and why.
Under Georgia workers’ compensation law, you have the right to:
- Benefits: You are entitled to benefits that help you cover your medical care, prescriptions, therapy, temporary and permanent partial disability, rehabilitation and more.
- Negotiation: You do not have to accept any offer. You have the right to negotiate your benefits, including whether you want to accept a lump-sum settlement or receive ongoing payments.
- Necessary medical treatment: You may receive a list of approved physicians. You have the right to seek treatment from a doctor who specializes in your injury or illness or change your doctor if you are not happy with your current care.
- One-time independent medical examination (IME): You can get a second medical opinion. For instance, your treating doctor may be skeptical about your complaints of pain, tests may show a serious injury contrary to the diagnosis or the physician may not specialize in your particular injury or illness.
- Appeal: You have the right to appeal an adverse decision and explain your case in front of a judge.
- Return to work on your medical timeline, not your employer’s: Employers may pressure you to return to work based on their needs, against medical advice. If your physician does not recommend that you return or that you return with certain limited activity or restriction, your employer must comply.
Learn More About Your Rights. Consultations Are Free.
Do you have questions? One of our caring and knowledgeable workers’ comp attorneys will be happy to answer them. Schedule a free consultation by calling our Augusta office at 706-305-1130. If you prefer, you can send us your information online and we will respond promptly.