Justice and compensation
you rightfully deserve
Injury & Accident Attorney Serving Nearby Areas of Columbus & Ft Benning (formerly Ft Moore), Georgia and Phenix City, Alabama
If you’re hurt doing your job, you should be covered.” — Attorney Gary Bruce
As a person who works for a living to provide for your family and pay the bills, a workplace injury can leave you searching for answers: How will I pay my medical bills? What if I am unable to return to work? How will I support my family? Under Georgia workers’ compensation laws, you can receive money and medical benefits for your work-related accident.
At the Law Offices of Gary Bruce, we are the good guys who can ensure your workers’ compensation claim is handled effectively. Our law firm proudly offers complimentary in-office and off-site case evaluations to discuss your work injury. In this case evaluation, you will discuss your case with a Columbus, GA, workers’ compensation lawyer. We will work to understand exactly how you were injured, the history of your relationship with your employer, and how we can best serve you.
Receive a free initial consultation by completing the form on this page or calling 706-813-1624 today. Our Columbus personal injury lawyers welcome clients throughout the area and on both sides of the river.
What Does
Workers’ Compensation
Cover When I Am Injured?
In Georgia, a workers’ compensation case is handled administratively by the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation, not by lawsuit. However, it is heard by a judge in a formal setting. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may qualify for medical treatment, such as surgery, medication, or therapy, and the following workers’ compensation benefits:
Temporary Total Disability (TTD):
TTD benefits typically provide injured workers with two-thirds of their average weekly wages. In some cases, it is possible to receive TTD benefits even if you are able to return to light-duty work at your job or if your employer cannot or will not accept you back to work under the restrictions issued by your treating physician.
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD):
TPD benefits are paid when you return to work at a reduced capacity or light-duty. If your pay earnings are reduced, you will be paid two-thirds of the difference between your average weekly wage and actual earnings.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD):
If your work-related injury makes it permanently impossible for you to perform your job duties, you may be eligible for PPD benefits. PPD is based on a formula that includes your percentage of impairment, the part of the body that is impaired and your compensation rate.
Permanent Total Disability (PTD):
PTD means your injuries prevent you from returning to any form of gainful employment, not just your previous job. If your injury is designated as catastrophic, you may be entitled to receive medical care and weekly compensation checks for life.
In Georgia, workers’ comp does not provide for pain and suffering, but if you have a serious case, there can be lump sum resolutions that allow you to protect yourself, your family, your medical treatment, and move on with your life.
Catastrophic Injury Cases Under Workers’ Compensation
In a situation where you’re not going to be able to return to work or where your ability to work is severely impacted, probably for the rest of your working life, it is critically important that you talk to a lawyer early on. These cases, referred to as catastrophic injury cases, typically include such injuries as the following:
- Head and brain injuries (TBI)
- Back and spinal injuries
- Amputation
- Severe burns
- Permanent vision or hearing loss
- Severe nerve damage
- Organ damage or organ failure
These injuries follow a different set of rules. The truth is, with the lawyer’s help and a full understanding of your options, you can find ways to provide better for your family, find work, and sometimes move on with your life much quicker.
We strongly recommend that you talk to a lawyer in any situation where you’ve suffered a serious injury that might impact your ability to continue doing the job you were doing at the time of your injury. There is a lot of nuance to workers’ compensation law that really requires talking to a lawyer. They can develop a strategy and make sure that you are taken care of properly, both financially and through medical care in the future.
Do I Need a
Workers’ Comp Attorney?
“If your employer isn’t doing what they’re supposed to do, that’s when lawyers get involved.” — Attorney Gary Bruce
Every case does not need a lawyer to enter an appearance or to file. However, there are certain circumstances where it may become necessary to speak with one:
- Your employer should file the matter with their carrier. If they don’t file or won’t cooperate, a lawyer can help you get that started.
- The insurance carrier should do its job, but you should always talk to a lawyer about it, regardless. It does not cost anything to know your rights and options for moving forward.
Any case where your medical care is disputed, where you fear you will not return to work, if you are being given a hard time at work, if you are being shown the door, or if you have a serious injury, you should talk to a lawyer, and a lawyer will help.
The Law Offices of Gary Bruce offers free consultations, and often that is all you need. Our workers’ compensation attorneys in Columbus will help you:
Navigate the workers’ compensation medical system:
We guide you through each step of the process so that you understand your rights, treatment options, and what to expect at every stage.
Address light-duty work issues:
We help ensure any light-duty assignment is appropriate for your medical condition and does not jeopardize your recovery or benefits.
Ensure the workers’ compensation doctors treat you fairly and provide all the necessary treatment:
We advocate for proper medical care, making sure your concerns are heard and that you receive the full treatment you are entitled to under the law.
Talking to a lawyer does not mean your employer will know you talked to a lawyer. The advice is free. Talking to a lawyer will provide you with some peace of mind, a clear path forward, an understanding of your rights, and protect you from being misled or losing benefits.
As an injured worker who is receiving benefits, you are entitled to a change of physician (panel switch) and an independent medical examination (IME). Certain doctors and treatment facilities are well known to put their interests in front of your interests. We can protect you from these doctors.
Common Injuries
Covered by Workers’ Compensation
There are countless ways in which you may sustain a workplace injury, such as:
- Slips, trips, and falls on wet floors, uneven surfaces, or cluttered walkways
- Lifting or carrying heavy objects that strain the back and body
- Doing the same movement over time
- Tool and machine malfunctions
- Car wrecks while driving for work or performing job duties
If you have been in a car wreck while on the job, you should also talk to your lawyer about how your workers’ compensation coordinates with your car wreck case, especially if the wreck was caused by someone else.
When you are injured in such incidents in Georgia, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits for the following:
Physical Injuries:
This includes such things as burns, fractures, back injuries, and other trauma caused by a workplace wreck or sudden incident.
Repetitive Stress Injuries:
Conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and tendinosis that develop over time due to repetitive motions or strain at work.
Occupational Diseases:
Serious illnesses such as black lung (coal workers’ pneumoconiosis) and other conditions caused by long-term exposure to harmful workplace environments.
Mental health:
Psychological conditions and disorders resulting from a physical injury, including anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that impact your ability to recover and return to work.
In addition to proving that your injury qualifies for workers’ compensation benefits, you must establish that your injury occurred at your place of work and within the course and scope of your employment. Our Columbus workers’ compensation attorneys have the knowledge, skill, and resources needed to build a compelling case on your behalf and pursue the justice you deserve.
What Happens If Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied?
A denied workers’ compensation claim can feel overwhelming, especially when you are dealing with an injury, medical bills, and time away from work. However, a denial is not the end of your case. You still have the right to challenge that decision and pursue the benefits you deserve.
Why Claims Get Denied
Insurance companies may deny claims for several reasons, including:
- The injury was not reported right away
- Your employer disputes how the injury happened
- The insurance company claims your injury is not work-related
- There is not enough medical evidence connecting the injury to your job
- You did not follow the required medical treatment or doctor’s instructions
Understanding the reason for the denial is the first step toward moving forward.
What You Can Do Next
If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal. Taking the right steps early can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your case. You should:
- Review the denial letter to understand the reason for the decision
- Report any missing or incorrect information as soon as possible
- Continue getting medical treatment and follow your doctor’s instructions
- Gather medical records and any evidence supporting your claim
- Speak with our workers’ compensation lawyers about your options
Acting quickly is important to protect your rights and keep your claim moving forward.
How Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Help
If your claim has been denied, you do not have to handle the process alone. The Law Offices of Gary Bruce is here to guide you, protect your rights, and help you move forward with confidence. We can:
- Provide a free case consultation to understand your situation and explain your options
- Set up an in-office meeting at your convenience if you prefer
- Protect you from insurance traps that could affect your benefits or claim
- Compile your medical records and bills to support your case
- Evaluate your benefits and the full value of your claim under workers’ compensation law
- Litigate if needed to pursue the benefits you deserve
Our goal is to reduce your stress, handle the legal process for you, and help you focus on your recovery while we work to secure the best possible outcome.
Columbus, Georgia, Workers’ Compensation Claim FAQs
What is the process for filing a workers’ compensation claim in Georgia?
The actions you take immediately following a workplace accident are important. If you’ve been injured on the job, you should:
- Report your injuries to a supervisor: It is illegal for your supervisor to try to talk you out of reporting an injury that you suffered at work. If your supervisor claims your injury occurred outside of work or tries to intimidate you into not reporting your injury, call us immediately.
- Request medical treatment: It is important to request medical treatment from your employer’s posted panel of physicians. Information should be posted in a noticeable area at your workplace. If you fail to choose treatment from the posted panel of physicians, your employer may select your treating physician and jeopardize the outcome of your claim.
- Contact the Law Offices of Gary Bruce right away: By acting quickly, our workers’ compensation attorneys in Columbus will be able to initiate your claim with the state board of workers’ compensation and the insurance company.
Can I bring a lawsuit against my employer if I am injured?
Workers’ compensation tends to favor employers more than employees. If your workplace injury was caused by a co-worker or employer, you will only be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits. However, if you are hurt because of the negligence of a third party, you may be able to make a personal injury lawsuit against the third party while simultaneously pursuing a workers’ compensation claim.
What if I was injured by someone other than a coworker?
If you were hurt by someone else while on the job, someone other than a coworker, you are still entitled to your workers’ compensation benefits for medical coverage and recovery with pay. However, you also have a case against the person/company responsible for your injury.
These cases should be discussed together with our attorneys. We handle cases all the time where we make a claim for damages against a company that caused the injury but never get involved with our client’s workers’ compensation carrier. We will handle both, though, when necessary. These are decisions we discuss with the client and ask for their approval before we act.
When do I need to file a workers’ compensation claim in Georgia?
Workers’ compensation has lots of quirky rules and requires special attention. There is a one-year limit for filing, so acting quickly and knowing your rights early is important.
Every case is different, and you should consult with a lawyer about any question you have about your applicable statute of limitations. However, the best answer is as soon as possible. You should immediately report the injury to your employer, and you should start filing for benefits as soon as they are needed. Under no circumstances should an injury be reported any later than a year because you may lose your right to file a claim.
Should I hire a local Columbus lawyer?
We believe that being local and having the ability to meet with our clients gives our clients an advantage. We also believe that knowledge of the local medical community can be a benefit to our clients. They are able to access information that helps in the successful prosecution of cases against workers’ compensation insurance companies and their representatives.
What warning signs in a workers’ compensation case indicate you should speak with a lawyer before settling?
Sometimes questions arise relating to prepayment of future benefits. If the insurance company is talking to you about a Medicare set aside for the future, you should also talk to a lawyer. This is a sign that your injury may take a long time to resolve and is a red flag to settling the case. You should never settle a workers’ compensation case where you are leaving your job without consulting a lawyer.
How would I pay for a workers’ compensation lawyer?
Workers’ compensation cases are paid on a contingency fee basis. There is no fee for a consultation. In fact, there is no reason not to talk to a lawyer about your options. Good lawyers will not tell your employer you called. However, you need to be armed with information to make good decisions about your future.
Contact Us Today to Discuss Your Columbus Workers’ Comp Case for Free
“If you’ve had a serious injury, and things aren’t going the way you think they ought to, that’s the time to call a lawyer and talk about it.” — Attorney Gary Bruce
An informed client is a client who knows their options and is involved in the decisions. We want informed clients, so straight talk from us is a constant. You might not need a lawyer, and if that’s the case, we will tell you.If you have been hurt on the job and have questions, please contact the Law Offices of Gary Bruce today online or by calling for a free, no obligation consultation. We proudly help clients throughout Columbus, including workers in Phenix City, Fort Benning (formerly Fort Moore), and throughout the state.
Proudly Serving
Those Who Serve
The military personnel and families of Ft Benning (formerly Ft Moore) are highly valued and respected members of our community. It is our honor to help service members at home and abroad with their legal needs. We frequently work with the Judge Advocate General office of Ft Benning (formerly Ft Moore) to protect our client’s rights and coordinate health care benefits.
If you live on Ft Benning (formerly Ft Moore) or Ft. Mitchell, or in Columbus or Phenix City, we want to hear from you. We understand that your schedule may require special planning, and we are happy to work with you to find a convenient time and place to meet. Contact the Law Offices of Gary Bruce today to learn more about our legal services for military families.
If you or a loved one was seriously hurt in an accident caused by the negligence of someone else, please call the Law Offices of Gary Bruce today at (706) 596-1446 to discuss your case for free. We welcome clients in and around Columbus and Ft Benning (formerly Ft Moore), Georgia, as well as Phenix City, Alabama, and surrounding areas.
