I Was Injured On The Job In Decatur But I Am Worried My Boss Will Blame Me. Should I File For Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
Getting injured on the job is no picnic for any Decatur worker. In addition to the pain and stress of dealing with treating and healing from a workplace injury, the notion of being financially insecure as a result of being unable to work can induce anxiety and even panic. Fortunately, in Decatur, Georgia workers’ compensation laws entitle most workers to workers’ compensation benefits if they are injured and are unable to work (and meet certain threshold criteria for eligibility). Those benefits include wage replacement compensation, medical costs, and other important benefits to help Decatur workers get back on their feet. As easy as it sounds, however, many Decatur workers may fear filing a workers’ compensation claim because they believe their employer may place the blame for the injury on them, or retaliate against by terminating them. Importantly, the Georgia workers’ compensation system is a no-fault system, and Georgia workers’ compensation laws protect employees from being terminated in retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim.
Workers’ Compensation in Decatur – No Need to Play the Blame Game
In Decatur, the Georgia workers’ compensation system is a no-fault system, which means that the worker need not prove that their employer, or anyone else at the workplace, was at fault, in order to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. In addition, workers who meet the eligibility criteria for Georgia workers’ compensation benefits should be granted benefits unless the employer can prove that there was some form of willful misconduct on the part of the employee that caused the workplace accident and resulting injury. Willful misconduct includes acts such as being intoxicated by drugs or alcohol at the workplace, causing fights at the workplace, and failing to follow safety laws and rules.
Retaliation is Unlawful under Georgia Workers’ Compensation Laws
In Decatur, it is unlawful to terminate an employee for the purpose of retaliating against that employee for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Accordingly, if a Decatur worker believes that they have been wrongfully terminated in retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim, they have the right to file a claim against their employer. Fighting a retaliation claim can be a complex legal battle, so it is best to speak with an experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible if you believe you have been terminated in retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim.
Help for Injured Workers’ in Decatur
If you have been injured on the job in Decatur and you are interested in learning more about your entitlement to workers’ compensation benefits, contact the experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyers at the O’Connell Law Firm. The O’Connell Law Firm offers a free and confidential consultation to learn about your workplace injury and to see if they can help you get Georgia workers’ compensation benefits due to you. Contact the O’Connell Law Firm today and speak to an experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyer about your rights to workers’ compensation benefits for free.
