Millions Recovered
See How We Helped Our Past Clients
Atlanta Workers’ Compensation Lawyers with over 100 Years’ Collective Experience
Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
Who We Are
After you’ve been injured on the job, it is only fair that you are compensated for your medical expenses and time off. Typically, your employer works with their insurance company to ensure you receive indemnity and medical benefits. Workers’ compensation is available to employees to help provide financial support during an injured workers’ recovery process.
Our legal team at Hansford McDaniel – Workers’ Compensation Attorneys, is more than just a group of lawyers – we are a community of workers’ advocates in Georgia. Our empathy for injured workers fuels our relentless pursuit of justice, and we won’t rest until we achieve the maximum possible workers’ compensation for every injured worker we represent. Contact us to schedule your free and confidential consultation with an experienced Atlanta workers’ compensation attorney today.
Our Accolades
Our dream team of Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyers, led by Nathaniel F. Hansford and Wesley McDaniel, both who have been recognized as Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars℠ members. They have also earned a 10.0 Superb Avvo rating. They each bring an unparalleled level of expertise and dedication to the firm, inspiring their team to strive for excellence in everything they do.
Attorney Hansford is a true trailblazer in workers’ compensation law, having more than 20 years of experience helping clients secure millions of dollars in settlements. His unique background as a former insurance defense attorney gives him valuable insights into the tricks used by insurance companies. Attorney Hansford is a frequent lecturer on workers’ compensation issues, and his passion for helping injured workers extends beyond the courtroom into the community. Attorney McDaniel is the managing partner on our team. As a former insurance defense attorney, he knows the tactics used by employers and insurers and uses his unique experience to craft compelling cases on behalf of his clients. He has handled thousands of claims and has recovered millions including some of the largest settlements in Georgia.
Practice Areas
Our team of dedicated workers’ compensation attorneys advocate for injured workers with skill and determination. We carefully evaluate every claim, develop personalized legal strategies, and fight to secure the benefits our clients deserve. We specialize in handling catastrophic injuries, but handle all types of on the job injuries.
Catastrophic
Injury
Back
Injury
Neck
Injury
Shoulder
Injury
Knee
Injury
Hip
Injury
Death
Benefits
Repetitive Motion Injury
Warehouse
Work Injury
Hospital Workplace Injury
Eyesight / Hearing Damage
Truck
Drivers
Heavy Equipment Accidents
Car
Accidents
View All Practice Areas
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An Award-
Winning Firm
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Convenient Office
Locations
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Millions Recovered for
Our Clients
What Sets Us APARt
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Free Claim
Evaluations
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Bilingual Legal
Services Available
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Over 100 Years of Collective
Legal Experience
What Our Clients Say
Our Team
Our team of dedicated workers’ compensation attorneys advocate for injured workers with skill and determination. We carefully evaluate every claim, develop personalized legal strategies, and fight to secure the benefits our clients deserve. Beyond the courtroom, we remain committed to supporting organizations that make a meaningful impact in Georgia communities
Who We Help
Champions of Injured Workers’ Rights
As workers’ compensation attorneys in Georgia, we are laser-focused on one thing: fighting for the rights of workers injured on the job. We have spent our career mastering the intricacies of workers’ compensation law in Georgia, and have represented clients from all professions.
Factory Workers in Manufacturing Facilities
Construction Workers
Home Improvement Contractors
Restaurant Workers
Law
Enforcement
Healthcare
Professionals
EMTs and Paramedics
Firefighters
Janitors and Building Maintenance Staff
Part-Time Employees
Frequently Asked Questions
What Percentage Does A Georgia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Get?
According to Georgia workers’ compensation law, “the fee of an attorney for services to a claimant in an amount of more than $100.00 shall be subject to the approval of the board, and no attorney shall be entitled to collect any fee or gratuity in excess of $100.00 without the approval of the board. The board shall approve no fee of an attorney for services to a claimant in excess of 25 percent of the claimant’s award of weekly benefits or settlement.
How Long Does It Take To Settle A Workers’ Compensation Case In Georgia?
Every workers’ comp claim is unique, which means that it can take several weeks or a few months to settle your case. There are two types of settlements: the liability settlement and the non-liability settlement
Liability Settlement
When your company’s insurer compensates you for your injury, this is a liability settlement. You are awarded the settlement with no argument about your accidental injury.
A non-liability settlement is more complex because your accidental injury will be in dispute during this process. Both liability and non-liability settlements will require an Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyer to make sure your paperwork is organized. They will ensure there are no errors and that all the necessary proof is evident, so your claim is undeniable.
The insurance company will initially review your claim. This investigation process will be straightforward if the reason for the injury is clear. Additionally, if there is enough supportive evidence, the insurer can’t contest that the injury occurred on the job. However, in a more complex situation where it is difficult to define how the injury occurred, the process can take longer. For example, you could have been injured because of poorly maintained machinery that wasn’t inspected. The insurance adjuster will have to work with other professionals to identify how it malfunctioned and caused your injuries.
If you slipped and fell on a slippery surface with no grips installed, that would be a much simpler insurance claim. Another issue is the type of injury and medical treatment required. If you simply needed pain medication, bandages, and a week off, you would get your claim much sooner. In comparison, if you have a permanent disability that prevents you from returning to your line of work, you would not only need additional benefits but would have to switch careers. You would need to wait a longer time to receive compensation from the insurance company to help facilitate this process.
Can You Sue Your Employer For Negligence In GA?
Workers’ compensation claims don’t involve you suing your employer. The workers’ compensation system was designed to prevent that. Proof of negligence is also not necessary for you to get maximum compensation from your Georgia workers’ compensation claim, unlike in other states.
What Is the Exclusive Remedy Doctrine?
In Georgia, the O.C.G.A. § 34-9-11 law mandates that you have a right to obtain workers’ compensation benefits regardless of who is at fault. As long as you were injured while at your workplace, you can be compensated. This doctrine doesn’t apply in the following scenarios:
Reckless Actions
If your workplace injuries were caused by reckless behavior, then you may be denied your workers’ compensation claim. For example, if you were playing with the equipment, fighting, or doing other grossly negligent actions, this can result in denial.
Intoxication
You should not be drunk at work for any reason. If you are intoxicated, it may have made it easier for you to get injured. For this reason, you might be denied compensation for your workplace accident.
Drug Abuse
Illicit drugs are illegal and shouldn’t be allowed at work because they can reduce the ability to concentrate. If substance abuse caused your accident, you could be denied benefits.
Illegal Activity
Other reasons you might be denied are if you were trying to steal or break into a secure area at your job. If you were injured while engaging in criminal activity, you wouldn’t be able to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
What Are Other Reasons I Could Be Denied?
Many victims of workplace injuries get their workers’ comp benefits denied despite their needs. Georgia workers’ compensation lawyers try to help prevent this by making sure your application has all the required information. Reasons that you may be initially denied include the following:
Pre-existing Condition
If you were already injured for another reason, you can’t recover compensation from your employer’s insurance company. This doesn’t include underlying conditions that your work environment may have aggravated or worsened.
No Medical Evidence
As soon as you have been injured, you should see a doctor so that they can treat your injuries. Your medical bills are also evidence, which is another reason you should get treated as soon as possible. If you have no medical evidence of your injury, you may be unable to recover compensation.
No Statutory Definition Of An Injury
Legally, an injury is when you have suffered harm done by another, in this case, your employer. If you suffered no harm or damage, then you haven’t experienced an injury.
Reservation Of Rights
Your employers’ insurance company can respond with a reservation of rights, and your claim will be decided after a pending investigation. In this case, they send a notification that you may not receive compensation because your employer’s insurer does not cover the type of claim. The insurance company would have to substantiate your claim by performing an investigation. If the insurer finds that your damages are unsubstantiated, then they can later deny coverage.
Non-work Related Stress
You cannot receive compensation unless your injury is related to your work. For example, if you have a health condition or other situation happening not caused by work, you cannot be compensated for work-related stress benefits.
Misrepresentation
Misrepresentation is a form of fraud when an employee lies about their work-related injury. They may try to make an injury that didn’t happen at their job appear work-related to receive benefits.
Late Report
Filing too late will also hurt your chances of receiving benefits. You only have a year from the date of your reported injury to file your claim. Additionally, your employer’s insurer has 21 days to investigate the injury and file a report after you were injured.
Not An Employee
If you were not employed by the organization where you were injured, you may also be denied workers’ compensation. This applies to independent contractors, sole proprietors, and other types of self-employed businesses. Otherwise, you would file a personal injury claim.
Idiopathic Condition
When your injury has an unknown cause or can’t be explained, you can also be denied benefits. This is because your injury might have nothing to do with your employer. If it is difficult to discover whether you were injured due to your workplace environment or activities, then you’ll be ineligible for workers’ comp.
What if a Third Party’s Negligence Caused the Accident?
Our Atlanta workers’ compensation attorneys work closely with best personal injury attorneys throughout Georgia to help you file a negligence claim. An example is if you were being paid to transport goods for your employer and got into a car wreck. You can file a third-party claim against the at-fault driver in addition to your workers’ compensation claim.
How Much Will My Weekly Benefits Be?
You can receive two-thirds of your average weekly wages up to a maximum of $800 per week. Other compensation includes any reasonable medical bills related to your injuries. You can even receive mileage reimbursement for the cost of your commute to and from doctor’s appointments. However, there is a 400-week limit on receipt of medical benefits. The only exception is if your injury is considered to be catastrophic according to state laws.
Other benefits you can receive through the workers’ compensation system include:
Temporary Total Disability
If you can’t work for more than seven days because of your injury, you will start receiving benefits. If you were incapacitated for 21 days after your injury, you can also be compensated for those seven days you were unable to work. This amount is equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage, but only if your accident occurred after July 1st, 2023. You can’t receive more than $800.00 or less than $50 per week after you were injured.
After 400 weeks, you can’t continue receiving temporary disability payments unless you had a catastrophic injury.
Temporary Partial Disability
If you cannot work to your fullest capacity because of your recent injury, you can continue receiving temporary partial disability benefits after you return to work. This benefit includes two-thirds of the difference between your average weekly wages before and after your injury. There is a $533 maximum limit on how much you can receive on a weekly basis. Additionally, you will stop receiving benefits after 350 weeks from the date of your injury.
Permanent Partial Disability
If you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) according to your doctor’s evaluation but continue to suffer from a partial disability, you may continue receiving weekly payments.
Based on your type of disability, you can receive an additional benefit. The benefit duration depends on the percentage of disability of the affected body part. This percentage is multiplied by the maximum amount of weeks listed on the state schedule for that body part.
Death Benefits
Suppose an employee died because of a job-related injury or occupational illness. In that case, their dependents, eligible family members, or individuals listed in their will are entitled to their death benefits. If the survivors are dependents, then they receive the same amount for total temporary disability until they are no longer dependent. Spouses receive an amount up to $290,000. Funeral expenses can also be covered for up to $7,500.
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Our Locations
At Hansford McDaniel – Workers’ Compensation Attorneys, we proudly represent clients from all over Georgia and throughout Alabama.
- Macon
- Marietta
- Other Major Cities
- Outside Atlanta Metro Area
- Rome
- Roswell
- Sandy Springs
- Savannah
- Smyrna
- Valdosta
Contact Hansford McDaniel, Workers' Compensation Attorneys
Reach out to our workers’ compensation lawyers so you can get the help you need. A large number of employees are denied workers’ compensation for reasons unknown to them. Our Georgia workers’ compensation lawyers can review your case and make sure all the evidence and requested information match up. Call Hansford McDaniel – Workers’ Compensation Attorneys, now for a free consultation.
Hansford McDaniel – Workers’
Compensation Attorneys
1718 Peachtree Street NW, Suite
660
Atlanta, GA 30309