Decatur Workers’ Compensation Claimants To See Changes In Georgia Workers’ Compensation Laws As New Legislation Lands On Governor’s Desk

Decatur workers seeking workers compensation may be pleased to hear that the Georgia State Legislature passed legislation March 27 of this year that would make certain changes to current Georgia workers’ compensation laws. Under Georgia workers’ compensation laws, most Decatur workers who are injured on the job, and who are disabled as a result, are entitled to Georgia workers’ compensation benefits, such as reimbursement for medical expenses and costs, wage replacement benefits since they are unable to work their regular jobs, rehabilitation services and other important benefits to help them get back on their feet and back to work. However, there are certain caps on Georgia workers’ compensation benefits. HB 480, sponsored by Representatives Lehman Franklin, Bill Werkheiser, Dewey McClain, Sam Park, Mandisha A. Thomas, and Doreen Carter, will amend those laws to, among other changes, raise those caps to provide more workers’ compensation benefits to Georgia workers. HB 480 passed the Georgia House of Representatives on February 27 of this year, and the Senate on March 27. The legislation, having passed both chambers of the legislature, was sent to the Governor on March 31 to be signed into law.

The current version of HB 480 as passed includes changes to current Georgia workers’ compensation laws, including:

• Raising the maximum amount of temporary partial workers’ compensation benefits from $483 per week to $533 per week (to not exceed 350 weeks from the date of qualifying workplace injury);
• Raising the maximum amount of temporary total workers’ compensation benefits from $725 per week to $800 per week (not to exceed 400 weeks from the date of the qualifying workplace injury); and
• Raising the total compensation payable to certain surviving dependent family members in the case that a worker dies on the job from a workplace injury from $290,000 to $320,000.

HB 480 ultimately had strong support from both chambers and from both sides of the political aisle. In the House, HB 480 passed with 154 votes, with 15 nay votes, and in the Senate, 52 with 3 nays.

Help for Injured Decatur Workers – Decatur Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

HB 480 is being hailed by some as a step in the right direction for Georgia workers, as the legislation entitles Georgia workers to more benefits if they are injured on the job and unable to work. If you have been injured on the job in Decatur, it is important to speak with an experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyer about your rights and options as soon as possible to see if you are eligible to receive important Georgia workers’ compensation benefits, such as the wage replacement benefits described. The experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyers at the O’Connell Law Firm offer a free and confidential consultation, and are here to listen to your story about your workplace injury and to see if they can help you fight to get important workers’ compensation benefits due to you. Contact the experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyers at the O’Connell Law firm today and speak to a lawyer today about your rights and options to Georgia workers’ compensation benefits for free.

Source:

legis.ga.gov/legislation/64555