Atlanta Workers' Compensation Attorney

Properly Filing a Workers' Comp Claim

If you have been injured in a work-related accident, you have a right to receive worker's compensation. You can receive compensation for lost wages, medical expenses and rehabilitation. You and your family may have to depend on these benefits until you are recovered. In the case of severe injury that does not allow you to work again, workers' comp benefits may offset some of your financial hardship. At The McAleer Law Firm, we strongly urge you to consult an experienced Atlanta workers' compensation lawyer before filing your claim. This may make the difference between your claim being allowed or denied.

The first step you should take if you have been injured is to notify your employer of this fact in writing. You have just 30 days to let your employer know what occurred. If you fail to notify your employer within this time period, your claim may be denied. The type of injury that you have and its severity must be reported and this information will be forwarded to the insurance company. The second action should be to see a medical doctor as soon as possible, letting the doctor know that your injury is work-related. Waiting a long period to get medical care may weaken your claim.

Atlanta Lawyer for Filing a Claim

You will have 1 year from the date of your injury to file a workers' compensation claim. If you have received treatments for your injury, paid for by your employer, you have 1 year from the date of your last treatment in which to file a claim for further benefits. At times, a worker will receive weekly income benefits for a work-related disability. You have 1 year from the date of your last treatment or 2 years from the last wage benefits in order to file your claim.

Knowing how to properly file your claim and ensuring it is done in a timely manner are key elements to establishing your case. Claims can be denied for a variety of reasons and insurance companies commonly disallow claims for late filing or what they consider to be inadequate information. We may be able to successfully defend a claim that was denied. We feel it is a smarter and stronger strategy to work with you early in the process, towards ensuring that your claim is done correctly in the first place.

Contact an Atlanta workplace injury attorney to assist in the proper and timely filing of a workers' comp claim.