(470) 268-5802
Atlanta Psychological Injury Lawyers

Atlanta Psychological Injury Lawyers

If you have experienced a psychological injury at work, you can claim compensation. However, you must be able to show that either, a) you experienced a psychologically related trauma at work, or b) you’re experiencing a form of mental incapacity as a result of a physical injury that occurred at work. Contact Bobe & Snell Law Office LLC  at (470) 268-5802 We offer Free, No-Obligation Consultation for all of our clients.

What Is A Repetitive Stress Injury?

What Is A Repetitive Stress Injury?

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a general term for soft-tissue injuries caused by repetitive activity. It is a common condition for people whose work involves repetitive tasks and employers have a duty of care to ensure their employees are protected from RSI. Call us now at (470) 268-5802 Thankfully, our team of skilled and experienced repetitive stress injuries lawyers Atlanta at Bobe & Snell Law Office LLC can tilt the scales in your favor.

Filing A Workers Compensation Claim in Georgia

Filing A Workers Compensation Claim in Georgia

Filing a workers’ compensation claim in Georgia is relatively easy. However, what can be challenging is understanding the entire workers’ compensation system process, getting the initial form processed, and not letting any details slip through the cracks. Call us today at (470) 268-5802 Our attorney will help you navigate the Atlanta workers compensation claims process,

Georgia’s Workers’ Compensation Act

Georgia’s Workers’ Compensation Act

Under Georgia law, nearly all businesses with 3 or more employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage. Certain types of employment, such as railroad carriers, independent contractors, farm laborers, and domestic servants, are exempt. Call us today at (470) 268-5802 We are happy and more than ready to fight hard for you to ensure you get the justice.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation Today

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation Today

At Bobe & Snell Law Office LLC, we understand that you want to get the compensation that you deserve as soon as possible to aid your recovery and get your life back on track after a work-related injury. Call us at (470) 268-5802 to speak with a member of our workers’ compensation legal team.

Workers Compensation Claims Process

Workers Compensation Claims Process

Workers Compensation Claims Process

Injured at work? If you have suffered an injury at your workplace, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation depending on the facts of the case and the laws in your state. You may be entitled to benefits under Georgia Workers Compensation Act. However, some employees assume that the workers compensation claims process Atlanta is straightforward just because it’s stipulated by state and federal laws. It is a big mistake to make such an assumption!

When seeking compensation for a work-related injury, you should be careful with what you do and say so that you don’t jeopardize your claim. Insurance companies are in business and they want to grow their profits. Therefore, they will do everything they can to protect their interests to reject claims or pay as little compensation as possible.

Insurance companies will fight hard to pay out the smallest amount possible – or nothing at all – in claims. Their insurance adjuster and attorneys will be out to look for any mistakes and try their best to poke holes in your workers’ comp case so that your claim is denied or you’re paid a low settlement.

It just goes to show that insurance companies and their adjusters and attorneys won’t act in your best interest. You will need a workers’ comp attorney to represent you and look out for your best interest.

Filing A Workers Compensation Claim in Georgia

Filing a workers’ compensation claim in Georgia is relatively easy. However, what can be challenging is understanding the entire workers’ compensation system process, getting the initial form processed, and not letting any details slip through the cracks.

Without a lawyer by your side, it can also be difficult to maximize your workers’ compensation claim or even get a fair settlement for that matter.

The parties involved in the workers compensation claim process Atlanta, include the injured employee, the employer, and the insurance company, and they all have different roles to play in the process.

But, ideally, the process starts with the injured employee who reports his/her injury to their supervisor immediately after the accident before seeking medical treatment from one of the six employer-provided doctors.

Under the Georgia workers’ compensation law, an injured employee must report his/her injury to the employer within 30 days of the date of the accident. Also, the one-year statute of limitations gives employees one year from the date of the injury to file a claim provided they met the 30-day stipulation of informing the employer about their injury.

Even if you feel that you haven’t suffered a serious injury, remember timing is of the essence when it comes to the 30-day limit for reporting injuries in workplaces. On some occasions, you might suffer what seems like a muscle pull or minor cut, and not feel it is worth the effort to report it to your supervisor and seek immediate treatment.

But over time, that seemingly minor cut could get infected or the muscle pull might become more severe. Perhaps several weeks after the incident, you might need serious treatment.

Therefore, it is important to report your injury to a supervisor right away. Get it on record that could need medical attention. That simple act could save you lots of frustration and aggravation.

Employer’s Responsibility in Workers’ Compensation Claims

The Georgia employer and/or company responsible for handling workers’ compensation claims will investigate on-the-job accidents and injuries. The investigations are necessary to determine where, how, and why the injury occurred, then to possibly implement policies and procedures, and safety measures that will make for a safer working environment.

Workers’ compensation will not provide benefits for an injury or accident resulting from an employee’s willful misconduct (defined as fighting, horseplay, willful act of the third party for personal reasons, or injuries related to alcohol or drug abuse).

An injury that occurs due to haste or inattentiveness will generally be covered. However, the employee might be subject to company discipline if they were not following company policies or safety rules and protocols.

Immediately upon knowledge of a workplace injury, the employer must file a report with its insurance carrier or self-insurer’s claims office. If the injured employee misses work more than seven days due to the injury, the employer must inform the State Board of Workers’ Compensation within 21 days of that disability.

Georgia employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance coverage. Employees can report a suspicion of fraud and non-compliance to the Board’s Enforcement Division at (404) 657-7285.

So far you can see that the workers compensation claims process Atlanta involves a lot of crucial steps and details that must be handled carefully and diligently. It underscores the need to have an experienced workers’ comp attorney help and guide you every step of the way.

Insurance Carrier’s Responsibility

The insurance carrier, which will conduct its own investigation, will file a First Report of Injury with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation. Copies of the report will be mailed to the employee and employer.

The insurance carrier is also obligated to mail a brochure to the injured employee that explains the rights, benefits, and procedures for obtaining benefits.

The insurance carrier will require all written statements and accident reports, along with the names of all witnesses and the employee’s payroll records for 13 weeks before the injury.

Deadlines for Georgia Workers Comp Claims

Here is a review of the deadlines you must meet to avoid any snags:

  • Deadlines for Notifying Employers – Immediately is best. But under Georgia law, you have 30 days to report the injury after you have been hurt on the job. In some cases, just telling your supervisor or having a supervisor witness the accident without verbal confirmation could be deemed enough. Sometimes the timing might seem hard to define because some work-related injuries are not due to a specific accident but occur from overuse or repetitive activities. But to be safe, it is best to inform a supervisor immediately after you are injured. It is also best to do it in writing.
  • Deadlines for Filing Claim – In Georgia, if the employer has taken no action to provide the injured worker with either medical treatment or benefits, the worker has up to one year to file a notice with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC) about their claim. It requires a specific WC-14 form. That same form can be filed within one year from the last medical treatment paid for by the workers’ compensation insurance carrier (and not your health insurance). The WC-14 is accepted within two years of the injury if you have received some lost wages, but are still seeking money because you cannot work, have work restrictions, or are earning less due to the injury.
  • Deadlines for Occupational Diseases – You generally have one year after the date that you knew (or should have reasonably known) of the disease and how it was caused by your job. With few exceptions (notably asbestosis or mesothelioma), you cannot file a claim more than seven years after your last exposure to the work hazard.

Eligibility for Workers’ Comp in Georgia

Nearly every employer in the state of Georgia is required to provide employees with workers’ compensation insurance. Under Georgia law, any business with three or more workers (including regular part-time workers) must have the insurance, and coverage begins on the employee’s first day of work.

There are some exceptions to coverage requirements, including U.S. Government agencies, railroad carriers, farm laborers, and domestic servants.

Want to check on your workplace? Coverage can be verified by going to www.sbwc.georgia.gov and clicking on “Verify Workers’ Compensation Coverage”.

Injured At Work? Contact Us Today

If you have been injured at work and want to file a workers’ compensation claim, our experienced, reliable, and dedicated workers’ compensation attorneys at Bobe & Snell Law Office LLC can help you.

Workers Compensation Claims Process

Our attorney will help you navigate the Atlanta workers compensation claims process, guiding and helping every step of the way to ensure you get everything right, thus increasing your chances of getting the compensation that you deserve.

Call us today at (470) 268-5802 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and case review.

Workers Compensation Claims Process

Workers Compensation Claims Process

 

Auto Accident Lawyer No Injury

Auto Accident Lawyer No Injury

Auto Accident Lawyer No Injury

Auto Accident Lawyer No Injury: Injured in A Work-Related Auto Accident? We Can Help.

When you have been hurt in a car accident, it is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day stress of trying to get your life back on track. You’re juggling doctor visits, arranging for rides, figuring out how long you will be out of work, and struggling to make ends meet. The stress and frustration can quickly become overwhelming. That is why we, at Bobe & Snell Law Office LLC, understand that auto accident victims go through a lot, and we are here to help. If you have been injured in a car crash, our experienced, reliable, and dedicated auto accident lawyer no injury Atlanta can help you file a claim to seek compensation for the damages you have suffered. We will fight hard to ensure the at-fault party is held responsible and you get the justice and compensation that you deserve. Contact us today at (470) 268-5802 for a Free, No-Obligation Case Review.

What to Do After a Work-Related Car Accident in Atlanta

There are certain steps you should take following an off-work car accident. But what happens if a car accident occurs while you are on the job?

In Georgia, nearly half of all occupational injuries are the result of transportation accidents. Fortunately, workers injured while driving on the job may be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits.

However, workers need to take certain steps following a motor vehicle accident to put themselves in a better position to receive compensation. Keep in mind that on-the-job car accident cases/claims can be complex to resolve.

Georgia’s Workers’ Compensation Act

Workers’ compensation coverage is accident insurance paid by the employer which provides benefits that cater for the medical expenses and lost wages of the employees who are injured while on the job.

Under Georgia law, nearly all businesses with 3 or more employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage. Certain types of employment, such as railroad carriers, independent contractors, farm laborers, and domestic servants, are exempt.

Workers who are eligible for workers compensation benefits may receive:

  • Medical benefits (medical bills related to the injury)
  • Disability benefits (lost wages)
  • Mileage reimbursement
  • Vocational rehabilitation
  • Death benefits

What If You’re Injured While Driving?

To be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits in Atlanta, an employee must be injured in an accident that:

  1. Arises out of the employment, and
  2. Arises in the course of employment.

The term “arises out of the employment” simply means that there is a connection between the work required to be performed and the resulting injury. For example, if you injure your neck in a truck accident while delivering goods for your employer, your injury arose out of your employment.

On the other hand, if you have a heart attack while delivering goods for your employer, your injury did not arise out of your employment. Rather, your injury was caused by something that would have occurred apart from your employment.

The term “arises in the course of employment” simply means that the injury occurs:

  • Within the period of employment,
  • At a place where the employee may reasonably be in the performance of their duties, and
  • While the employee is fulfilling those duties or engaged in something connected with those duties.

For example, if you are transporting goods for your employer and you are injured in an auto accident, your injury “arises in the course of employment.” Similarly, if you are injured while driving in the parking lot of a gas station, the injury is likely covered because getting gas is “connected” to your work duties.

On the other hand, if you are transporting goods for your employer and take an unscheduled detour to your house to pick up your phone, any accident you are involved in on the way to your house is unlikely to be covered.

As you can see, on-the-job auto accidents can be quite complex and some things can easily jeopardize your claim. Therefore, you will need a very good and experienced Atlanta auto accident lawyer no injury to help you to get every detail right, and more importantly, build a strong case and offer compelling legal arguments and representation. That way, you will stand a good chance of getting a fair settlement.

What Steps Should You Take After A Work-Related Auto Accident?

Immediately following a work-related motor vehicle accident, there are certain crucial steps (some obvious, some not so obvious) that you should take to increase your chances of filing a successful claim to receive workers’ compensation benefits.

Step 1: Seek Emergency Medical Treatment If Necessary

Your health should be your top priority. If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, call 911 or ask someone else to do it.

If you are worried about the fact that you have not filed a workers’ compensation claim yet, don’t be. Assuming your workers’ compensation claim is ultimately approved, the insurance will cover injury-related medical expenses incurred before you filed your claim.

Step 2: Call the Police

Even if the car accident appears minor, call the police. The police account will become part of the record and a police report will help bolster your workers’ compensation claim.

Step 3: Gather Information

If it is safe to do so, gather as much information about the accident as you can. This should include:

  • Photographs of the scene and any damages
  • Contact information for the other driver(s) involved in the accident
  • Contact information for any witnesses to the accident or the aftermath

This information along with the evidence which your Atlanta auto accident lawyer no injury will gather after conducting further investigations will be vital for building a strong case for you so that you stand a good chance of getting the compensation that you deserve.

Step 4: Report the Accident to Your Employer

Report the car accident to your employer (boss, supervisor, or foreman) as soon as possible; though we highly recommend you do it immediately. In Georgia, you risk voiding your claim and losing benefits if you wait longer than 30 days before notifying your employer.

Step 5: Ensure You Follow Company Policies for Reporting Accidents

Most companies (especially commercial trucking companies) have certain policies that must be followed after an accident. Though you may be distracted with your workers’ compensation claim, be sure to follow your work protocol.

Step 6: Consult With Physicians Specified By Your Employer

Your employer is required to post information identifying approved medical care providers. Find this information (or ask your employer for it) and make an appointment to be examined.

It is important to consult with a doctor even if you don’t think you are injured, as some symptoms don’t show up for days or even weeks after the injury.

Step 7: File Your Workers’ Compensation Claim

In Georgia, you must obtain and file a WC-14 from the State Board of Workers’ Compensation. This must be done within 1 year of the accident.

Step 8: Keep Track of All Medical Expenses

To ensure you are adequately compensated for all of your injuries, it is important to keep meticulous records following your work-related car accident. Be sure to keep copies of all your medical records and keep a pain journal to document the effect of the injury on your daily life.

Step 9: Follow All Treatment Plans

Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions and advice. If you fail to do so, you risk losing some or all of your benefits.

Step 10: Contact an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If you are feeling overwhelmed at any point throughout this process, or if you simply want to make sure you get all the benefits you deserve, contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.

Injured in A Work-Related Auto Accident? Contact Us Today

If you have been injured in a car accident while on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. An Atlanta auto accident lawyer no injury at Bobe & Snell Law Office LLC can help you file a claim to seek compensation for your injuries.

Auto Accident Lawyer No Injury

We are happy and more than ready to fight hard for you to ensure you get the justice and compensation benefits that you deserve following your work-related car accident.

Call us today at (470) 268-5802 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and case review.

Auto Accident Lawyer

Auto Accident Lawyer No Injury

 

Crucial Tips to Help You Win Your Auto Accident Lawsuit

Crucial Tips to Help You Win Your Auto Accident Lawsuit

Once you have decided to pursue compensation to recover damages resulting from your auto accident, ensure you gather as much evidence as possible to prove your case. At the scene of your accident, you can take as many pictures of the scene of the accident as you can, including the vehicles and your injuries. Call us now at (470) 268-5802 for a free, no-obligation consultation with our experienced, knowledgeable, dedicated, and reputable car accident attorneys.

Tips for Getting the Best Personal Injury Settlement

Tips for Getting the Best Personal Injury Settlement

In putting together your personal injury settlement demand letter, you figured out a range of what you believe your claim is worth. You decide on a minimum settlement figure you would accept within that range before you speak to an insurance adjuster about your demand. Call us today at (470) 268-5802 we have a team of Atlanta head and brain injuries lawyers who can help you file a personal injury or workers’ comp claim.

Atlanta Workplace Injury Lawyer

Atlanta Workplace Injury Lawyer

Atlanta Workplace Injury Lawyer

If you were injured on the job or developed a medical condition because of your work—such as a cumulative trauma like a repetitive strain injury (RSI) or lung disease from exposure to toxic chemicals—you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. The process of seeking workers’ compensation for a work-related injury can be challenging. Having an Atlanta workplace injury lawyer can help ease the process and save you from the stress, headache, and hassle of dealing with the insurance companies and their adjusters, and increases your chances of getting the compensation that you deserve. But how do you choose the right workers’ comp attorney to handle your claim/case? Read on to find out.

Preparing to Meet with a Workers’ Comp Lawyer

One of the most important steps that you can take after you have been injured on the job is to contact an experienced and reputable Atlanta workers’ compensation attorney to review your case and determine the appropriate legal option to pursue.

The first meeting with an attorney provides you with a good idea of the strengths and weaknesses of your workers’ compensation claim as well as the lawyer’s skills, experience, and expertise to handle the claim successfully.

What to Bring to the First Meeting with a Workers’ Comp Attorney

You should bring as much information about your workplace injury as possible for the attorney to review during your first consultation. Coming prepared with relevant documents, materials, and other pieces of supporting evidence can help the attorney determine whether you have a valid claim.

You may want to consider gathering the following documents:

  • A summary of the workplace accident, including the date of the injury
  • The name and contact information of the supervisor who received notice of your injury and the date the notice was given
  • A copy of the written notice provided to your employer
  • Employment records indicating the date of hire, position, and job duties
  • Recent pay stubs or bank statements, which will help an attorney give you a better estimate of what you can expect to collect in benefits if your claim is successful
  • The name and address of the facility where you received treatment for your injury
  • Contact information for your treating physician
  • The dates of treatment
  • Medical bills incurred for treatment
  • Medical records related to your diagnosis and treatment
  • Photographs of the injury
  • The contact information for any eyewitnesses who saw the accident
  • A copy of any accident reports created by your employer, and
  • Emails or letters between you and your employer about your injury claim.

Having this type of information available can help the Atlanta workplace injury lawyer assess your claim properly and gain a better understanding of the issues that may be involved before advising you on the way forward.

Remember, the earlier the information is collected, the quicker the claim can proceed.

Ask Questions

In addition to the lawyer reviewing the details of your workplace injury, your first consultation with a workers’ compensation attorney will also give you a good opportunity to ask important questions to determine if you can hire him/her to represent you and handle your claim.

Some of the pertinent questions you should consider asking your attorney include:

  • How long have you been practicing law?
  • What portion of your caseload are workers’ compensation claims?
  • Have you represented clients with injuries like mine?
  • What is your success rate on workers’ compensation claims/cases?
  • Will you personally handle your case?

Once you are satisfied with the attorney’s background, credentials, experience, and expertise, you may want to discuss strategy. For example, you can ask the lawyer to explain the strengths and weaknesses of your case, discuss whether mediation or settlement is an option, and request an estimate of the value of your claim.

At this point, it’s also important to discuss fees and costs, including how much the lawyer will charge and whether there are other legal expenses related to filing the claim.

Ask these questions upfront to prevent any misunderstandings that could later prove troublesome, expensive, or even jeopardize your claim.

Workers’ compensation is a complicated area of law. The initial consultation with your attorney can be very helpful in giving you a better understanding of what filing a workers’ compensation claim will involve and what you should expect.

Here are more crucial questions you may want to ask your Atlanta workplace injury lawyer:

  • What benefits can I expect to collect if my claim is approved?
  • How long will it take before I start receiving benefits?
  • How long will I receive benefits?
  • Can I continue to collect workers’ compensation after I return to work?
  • Do I have to be treated by an employer-approved physician?
  • What options do I have if my employer doesn’t have workers’ compensation insurance?
  • How long do I have to be out of work to be eligible for replacement of lost wages?
  • How much can I expect to receive in wage replacement benefits?
  • How long will it take for a claim to be either approved or denied?
  • What steps can I take to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits?
  • How long do I have to report an injury?
  • What happens if I become permanently disabled as a result of the injuries?
  • What are my legal options if a third party’s negligence or recklessness caused my injuries?

An injured employee should report an injury to his or her employer within 30 days of the workplace accident to be eligible to collect benefits.

The actual amount that you receive in workers’ comp benefits depends on a number of factors, including the laws in your state, the nature of your injuries, and how much you earned before you were injured. The length of time that you can collect them will depend on the severity of your injury.

For temporary disability benefits—payments intended to replace part of your wages when you cannot work while you are being treated for your injuries—most states pay about two-thirds of your average pre-injury wages, up to a maximum that varies from state to state and from year to year. Permanent disability benefits are usually determined by a complicated formula in state law that is based on which part of your body is affected and the extent of your impairment.

That is why it’s important to come prepared with the specifics about your case when you first meet with an attorney.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation Today

At Bobe & Snell Law Office LLC, we understand that you want to get the compensation that you deserve as soon as possible to aid your recovery and get your life back on track after a work-related injury. That is why we are ready any time to engage you and offer free, no-obligation case review and more importantly, we will do our best to fast-track your workers’ compensation claim as much as we can.

We also advise you to get in touch with one of our workers’ compensation attorneys as soon as possible after the accident so that we can get started on your case early and file a claim on time to pursue your compensation.

Atlanta Workplace Injury Lawyer

Our attorney will treat you with compassion and respect and explain to you diligently the legal options for your case. Remember, choosing an experienced Atlanta workplace injury lawyer who understands Georgia workers’ compensation law can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim.

We have a team of workers’ compensation attorneys who have over 35 years of experience having handled over 10,000 cases related to workplace injuries. Further, our attorneys have completed additional training in workers’ compensation law and are State Board-Certified specialists in workers’ compensation law by the State Bar of Georgia.

Please don’t hesitate to call us at (470) 268-5802 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a Free, No-Obligation Consultation with a member of our workers’ compensation legal team.

Atlanta Workplace Injury Lawyer

 

Atlanta Workplace Injury Lawyer