Understanding The Workers Compensation Laws In Georgia

Employment compensation is a scheme under which employers are required by statute to carry workers’ compensation insurance. The government provided this statutory insurance scheme to cover both workers and employers. In the event of an accident, the employee is paid, and medical costs are covered, and employees are spared from having to risk large bonuses. It’s a win-win situation.

 

According to Title 34, Chapter 9 of the 2010 Georgia Code, a theory, intermediate, or subcontractor is liable for reimbursement to every employee harmed when working for one of his subcontractors on the contract’s subject matter to the same degree as the immediate employer. 

In other words, all employers and employees in Georgia can recognize the state’s workers’ compensation laws. Employers should always be able to cope with a workplace accident, and staff should know their rights, so they aren’t taken advantage of if any injury happens. Moreover, a part of the workers’ compensation program is “Georgia Focus,” a three-tiered approach to safety, care, and recovery of employees.

Is Workers’ Compensation Insurance Required In Georgia?

Workers’ compensation insurance is required for any company with three or more full-time, part-time, or seasonal employees. As long as the organization is incorporated or is an LLC, companies with less than three employees must have this type.

Workman’s compensation coverage is not required for government agencies, railroad companies, or farm laborers. The Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation offers a list of all eligible companies if you want to know if Georgia Workers’ Compensation covers an employer. 

Workman’s compensation is significant for an employer to provide, and it is imperative if you are injured on the job. If you are injured at work, Georgia workers’ compensation can cover your medical bills, missed time at work, and even your potential inability to work if you are disabled.

What Are Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

As an employer, you are responsible for the safety and protection of your workers at work. Suppose an employee is hurt while on the job; you may be held accountable. That is why having workers’ compensation insurance is so important. Although most employers are aware of workers’ compensation insurance’s essential benefits, few know the additional services. The following are the benefits that are available in a Georgia Workers’ compensation claim. These are essential to know when applying for a claim.

• Provides civil liability protections for a company if an employee is injured on the job.
• Covers the costs of preparing an employee for a new position within the company if they have been injured and can no longer do the same type of work.
• Aids workers in saving money on work-related injuries and conditions, allowing them to be more efficient at work.
• If the employee is temporarily disabled, it protects half of the employee’s usual salary.
• It will enable employees to include add-on protections such as disability or accident resulting from a terrorist attack occurring during working hours.
• Employees are covered beginning on the policy’s effective date.

Which Kind Of Employees Are Exempted From Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

As the economy shifts, a growing number of businesses turn to independent contractors that are not covered by workers’ compensation. They want to enjoy the benefits of receiving the programs without having to pay for the policy’s benefits. As a result, companies save money, reduce their chances of being sued, and have full control over whom they recruit and fire. Many that are not covered by workers’ compensation include:

• Volunteers
• Maritime workers
• Shop owners
• Farmworkers
• Government workers
• Railroad employees
• Taxi drivers
• Musicians and performers

Partnerships and sole proprietorships are usually excluded from compensation coverage, but they can choose to be covered if they want to. Since they are called employers, they are excluded. There are also some cases in which an employee might be ineligible for payment. These situations include:

• Injuries caused by oneself
• Accidents that happen when you’re not working
• If an employee is injured as a result of a breach of company policy,
• Mental health issues, unless they can be shown to be related to the work results.
• Injuries that arise as a result of an employee breaking the law
• During a fight with another employee, an employee gets hurt.

 

 

Workers’ compensation lawsuits in Georgia must be made within one year of the date of the accident. Unlike personal injury claims, which have a two-year statute of limitations. And if a worker is killed on the job, his or her spouse or relatives must file a death insurance claim within one year of the employee’s death. Otherwise, if the workers’ compensation claim is not made within the time limit, receiving the benefit would be difficult.