Dec 20, 2021

How Long Can You Receive Workers’ Compensation in Georgia?

Workers’ compensation benefits help keep you financially afloat while you are recovering from a workplace injury. But how long can you expect that financial floatation device to stay active? Here in Georgia, the average workers’ comp case allows an injured worker to get benefits for up to 400 weeks.

Severity of Your Injury Matters

The upper limit for most cases is 400 weeks of workers’ compensation benefits. However, it is quite rare for a claimant to actually get benefits for that long, which equates to more than 7 years. This is because the duration of workers’ compensation benefits – specifically, disability pay benefits – depends on the severity and permanence of the claimant’s work-related injury and disability.

Your disability will be assigned a rating by your treating physician. The worse the injury and rating, the longer you can get these benefits, up to that 400-week cap. Although, certain permanent disabilities that stop you from finding gainful employment can make you eligible to receive benefits for life.

What Can End Your Benefits Early?

Workers’ compensation disability benefits are usually dependent on you not working. If you are deemed able to return to work, or you return to work regardless of your physician’s opinion, then your disability payments can end abruptly. As such, it is important that you always discuss your options closely with your physician, so you don’t jeopardize much-needed benefits and your health by accepting work that might not be worth the trade-off.

If you get fired while receiving disability pay benefits, though, the benefits don’t end. In an at-will employment state like Georgia, you can be fired at any time for any reason that isn’t discriminatory. But at no point do workers’ compensation rules say you must remain employed to get those benefits. This rule is designed to protect injured workers from losing their benefits at the whim of a dishonest employer who fires them just for being hurt on the job.

For help with questions about workers’ comp benefits and duration in Georgia, Hansford McDaniel – Workers’ Compensation Attorneys should be the team you call. Contact us now for a free case consultation.