Gary M. Kazin Workers Compensation Law Blog on Lawyers.com

Do I Tell My Employer if I Am Considering a Workers' Compensation Claim?

Friday, February 10, 2012 by Gary M. Kazin

An employee who suffers an on-the-job injury must inform his or her employer within 30 days or he or she may lose the right to workers’ compensation. Additionally, many employers may have their own rules about reporting on-the-job injuries. Once the employee provides this notice, it becomes the responsibility of the employer to contact its workers’ compensation insurance carrier and the responsibility of the carrier to file initial documents with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation. In short, a worker should always inform his or her employer promptly after suffering an injury that may be compensable under Georgia workers’ compensation laws.

If the workers’ comp insurance carrier denies the claim for benefits, prematurely stops benefits, or does not provide all the benefits to which the worker is entitled under the law, the initiative again shifts to the employee. At this point, the employee should contact an Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyer to discuss the viability of the claim.

Workers’ compensation lawyers in Atlanta initiate workers’ compensation claims on behalf of their clients by filing a Form WC-14 Notice of Claim with the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation. Board rules also require that the employer and its insurer receive a copy of this form at the time of filing. This gives both parties notice of the claim and identifies the attorney representing the employee as the person to contact to discuss any related issues.

Filing a claim does not necessarily mean a hearing is unavoidable. There are still many opportunities for settlement negotiation, mediation, or other forms of alternative dispute resolution to take place. But because there are strict time limits for filing such a claim, delaying to discuss the claim or negotiate with an employer or insurance carrier may ultimately damage your claim.

Contact an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer

Gary M. Kazin has over 30 years of experience representing injured workers in Georgia. Contact the Law Offices of Gary M. Kazin online or by phone today to discuss your work-related injury. The firm offers a free initial consultation.

The Law Offices of Gary M. Kazin
3128 Clairmont Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 378-8217

The Law Offices of Gary M. Kazin
315 West Ponce De Leon Avenue
Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 378-8227

Posted at 18:36 PM

Topic: Workers Compensation