Workers’ Compensation For Georgia Logging Industry Workers
Workers in the Georgia logging industry understand the dangers associated with their jobs. From handling heavy equipment to completing tasks in bad weather conditions, workers are often at risk of serious accidents that can lead to severe injury. And when an injury puts you out of work, it may impact your livelihood and your future.
At The Law Office of Bryan S. Hawkins, we understand how important our logging industry workers are and the dangers they face every day on the job. We are here to support injured workers after a work accident and help them seek the compensation they need.
The Dangers Of Logging Work
Logging is considered one of the most dangerous industries in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the logging industry had a fatality rate of 91 per 100,000 workers in 2020.
Georgia is home to many premier logging companies, including Georgia-Pacific, Weyerhaeuser, Rayonier and ForesTech. All of these companies employ thousands of workers in various logging roles, including fallers, buckers, tree climbers, choke setters and logging equipment operators.
The most common logging industry accidents and injuries include:
- Falls: Many logging workers perform tasks at a significant height, whether to remove tree branches or to set up equipment. Falling from these heights can lead to serious broken bones, spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries.
- Falling objects: Logging workers are often injured when they are struck by falling objects, such as trees, large tree limbs, logs, or tools used during work. In fact, 25% of all logging accidents are caused by these types of accidents. Common injuries from these accidents include broken bones, head trauma and internal injuries.
- Inclement weather: Logging puts workers at risk of weather-related injuries including hypothermia or hyperthermia. Rain or snow can cause slippery work areas leading to more slip-and-fall type accidents.
- Equipment-related accidents: Loggers rely on heavy machinery such as sawmills, loaders and skidders to complete their work. This equipment is dangerous to use, and improper maintenance or poor training can lead to amputations or crush injuries.
Logging accidents should be taken seriously. The injuries sustained in these types of incidents can have catastrophic consequences to your health and livelihood. It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention after a logging work injury.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits For Logging Industry Workers
If you have been injured on the job, you are entitled to workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation provides benefits for injured logging industry workers so they can recover from their injuries without worrying about how to make ends meet. In Georgia, workers’ compensation typically covers:
- Your current and future medical expenses
- Your lost wages for the time you are out of work
- Your pain and suffering
- Property damage
If your injury results in a permanent disability, you may be eligible for permanent partial disability (PPD), which provides compensation for the permanent loss of use of a certain body party. The amount of PPD you receive is generally calculated based on which body part was injured, the percentage of loss of use of that body part and your workers’ compensation rate.
Workers’ compensation benefits can help you focus on healing after a work accident. Additional coverage, such as vocational training if you need to switch careers, may also be available to help you return to work after an injury.
What To Do If You Are Injured On The Job
When you have been injured during your logging industry job, it is crucial to remember these steps:
- Report the injury: You should immediately report your injury to your employer after it occurs. By reporting the injury, you have an incident report of the date, time and type of accident that happened on record.
- Seek medical attention: Don’t wait to get medical treatment after an injury. Logging injuries are incredibly serious and a doctor can determine the extent of your injuries and make sure you get the necessary treatment.
- Document the scene: As soon as you are able, document the accident scene. Take photos or video evidence of what may have led to the accident to use for your worker’s compensation claim.
- Collect evidence: In addition to documentation of the scene, gather any other relevant evidence, such as witness statements and medical records.
- Consult with a workers’ compensation attorney: Avoid discussing your case with any insurance companies until after you have consulted with a lawyer. A workers’ compensation attorney can help you build a strong case that considers the full scope of your injury and has your best interests at heart.
At The Law Office of Bryan S. Hawkins we can help you navigate the complex workers’ compensation process from start to finish so you can receive the benefits that you deserve.
Why Choose Our Law Firm
When you work with The Law Office of Bryan S. Hawkins, you work directly with our skilled workers’ compensation attorney, Bryan S. Hawkins. His experience as a workers’ compensation defense lawyer provides unique insight into the common tactics used by insurance companies, which he uses to help workers achieve maximum benefits today. Plus, our knowledge of the Georgia logging industry makes us uniquely capable of resolving complex worker injury cases.
Schedule A Free Consultation Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a serious logging industry accident, we can help you seek compensation. We proudly represent injured logging workers throughout Georgia from our office in Augusta. Call us today for a free consultation or email us online to get started.
