What to Do If Your Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Delayed in Georgia

Key Insight

Injured workers are entitled to timely and fair compensation for their injuries. Unfortunately, delays in receiving disability payments, medical care, and other workers’ compensation benefits are common.

Introduction

Thousands of workers in Georgia experience workplace injuries each year. To receive compensation, an employee must seek medical assistance and report the injury to their employer within 30 days of the incident. The employer must immediately report the injury to their insurance provider and file Form WC-1 with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation within 21 days for injuries involving lost time.

If you sustain a workplace injury, workers’ compensation provides essential insurance coverage to protect your finances and job security. Regrettably, not all applications for compensation are approved. Benefits may not be processed promptly, which complicates matters for the injured worker. Consider consulting a qualified workers’ compensation attorney in Macon to guide you through delayed compensation claims.

What Leads to Workers’ Compensation Payment Delays?

Common reasons for delays include:

Employer delays in reporting (must be immediate).
Employee delays in reporting (must be within 30 days).
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Errors or incomplete documentation in claim forms.
Disputes over whether the injury is work-related.
Administrative delays by the insurance company.

If you have been experiencing delays, revisit your documentation and ensure any mistakes in your claim are corrected. If you cannot do this personally, a workers’ compensation attorney can help rectify discrepancies in your application. If your claim application is correct, contact your employer and insurance company to identify the issue. For further guidance, consult reliable resources on workers’ compensation.

If your claim application is correct, then contact your employers and the insurance company to see where the problem is, or read the blog “The Complete Guide to Workers Compensation in Macon, GA: What You Need to Know” for insights.

Workers’ Compensation Checks Under Georgia Law

Under Georgia law, insurance companies must provide weekly payment checks to eligible injured workers. For temporary total disability, the first check must be issued within 14 days of the 8th day of disability, and subsequent checks must be paid weekly. The handbook of the State Board of Workers’ Compensation Employees in Georgia states that if you do not get the check by the deadline, a penalty fee will be added to your payments by the employer or their insurance provider.

Fee for Overdue Workers’ Compensation Claim

Under Georgia law, insurance companies must pay a 15% penalty for late weekly benefit checks. If the State Board of Workers’ Compensation intervenes due to the insurer’s refusal to pay, a 20% penalty may be imposed.

To Secure Overdue Payments, Speak with a Georgia Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If your workers’ compensation payment is delayed, consult a qualified workers’ compensation attorney to understand your rights and options. An attorney can ensure you receive any applicable penalty fees and interest, and verify if the payment was mailed late. A workers’ compensation attorney can fight to secure your weekly payments or settlement, including any late penalties, while defending your rights. Contact an attorney to discuss your legal options and explore next steps.