A workplace accident can cause severe injuries. If you were injured on the job in Savannah, GA, you could be entitled to financial recovery under Georgia’s personal injury and workers’ compensation laws. Hiring an experienced Savannah workplace accident lawyer can help you recover compensation from all sources.
Our lawyers at Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers have extensive experience and a 95% success rate. Our legal team has won millions in jury verdicts and settlements for our clients. We maintain a small caseload so we can devote our resources and attention to each case.
Contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation at (912)-335-1909 with a Savannah personal injury lawyer.
How Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers Can Help If You’ve Been Injured in a Workplace Accident in Savannah, GA
After a work-related injury, it can be difficult to make ends meet. You may be out of work for an extended period while receiving medical treatment. The last thing you need is for the insurance company to make it tough to receive the compensation you deserve. Hiring an experienced Savannah personal injury attorney can help you get the settlement you need.
Our lawyers at Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers have received numerous awards and top ratings from national legal organizations, including Super Lawyers and The National Trial Lawyers. We are seasoned trial attorneys and skilled negotiators. We’ll represent your best interests in and out of the courtroom.
When you hire our workplace accident lawyers in Savannah, Georgia, we will:
- Investigate the cause of your workplace accident to determine how it happened
- Prepare and file documents for a workers’ compensation claim
- Determine whether you have a personal injury case
- Appeal workers’ compensation denials and fight undervalued claims
- Guide you through an independent medical examination (IME) to obtain a disability rating
- Negotiate a fair settlement for your workplace accident claim
- Represent you in all hearings and court appearances
If you have questions, contact our Savannah workplace accident attorneys for a free case evaluation. Learning about your legal options is one of the best ways to protect your interests and legal rights.
We Handle All Types of Workplace Accident Cases in Savannah, GA
Workplace accidents occur in all industries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 2.8 million workplace injuries and illnesses in 2022.
Examples of the kinds of cases our Savannah work accident lawyers handle include, but are not limited to:
- Factory and manufacturing accidents
- Ladder and scaffolding accidents
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Explosions and fires
- Welding accidents
- Construction accidents
- Injuries caused by defective equipment and tools
- Heavy machinery accidents
- Electrical injuries and electrocutions
- Slip and fall accidents
- Exposure to hazardous materials
- Railroad accidents
- Excavation accidents
- Building collapse
Employers must provide a safe working environment for their employees. Dangerous conditions in the workplace can result in traumatic injuries and occupational illnesses. If you were hurt at work, call us to discuss your case.
What Are Common Causes of Savannah Workplace Accidents?
A workplace accident can occur for many reasons. Mistakes and errors on a job site can lead to injuries. However, intentional torts and negligence are also common factors in workplace accidents.
Common causes of workplace accidents in Georgia include:
- Explosions and fires
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Negligent drivers
- Building collapse
- Unsafe work equipment
- Being caught in and between objects
- Dangerous property conditions
- Lack of fall protection and/or adequate safety equipment
- Workplace violence
- Being struck by objects
- Exposure to hazardous substances
- Working while impaired or intoxicated
- Repetitive motions and physical strain
- Exposure to electricity
We’ll analyze all factors and evidence in your case to identify the parties responsible for your workplace accident. The reason for the accident determines what type of claim(s) you can pursue.
Common Injuries Resulting from Savannah Job-Related Accidents
A workplace accident can cause multiple injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Damage to internal organs
- Occupational diseases
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Paralysis
- Severe burns
- Hearing and/or vision loss
Seek immediate medical care after a workplace accident. You must document your injuries for a legal claim. You also need to follow your doctor’s treatment plan or seek a second opinion. Failure to follow a treatment plan could hurt your case.
What Compensation Is Available After a Workplace Accident in Savannah, GA?
Georgia workers may have more than one course of action to receive compensation for work-related injuries and losses. The primary causes of action after workplace accidents are:
Georgia Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Most employees are covered by workers’ compensation in Georgia. If your injury occurred during the ordinary course of employment, you may be eligible for workers’ comp benefits.
The benefits you receive could include:
Medical Benefits
You can receive reasonable and necessary medical care for your workplace injuries. However, Georgia law requires workers to seek treatment from a doctor pre-authorized by their employer or the workers’ compensation insurance company. You can seek emergency care at a hospital or urgent care facility.
Wage Replacement Benefits
If you cannot work because of your work-related injury, you can receive disability benefits. Lost income benefits include temporary disability benefits during your recovery. If the workplace accident results in a permanent impairment, you can receive permanent disability benefits.
Wage replacement benefits are two-thirds of your average weekly wages before your injury, subject to state maximum amounts. You may also receive vocational rehabilitation benefits if you cannot return to your old job and need to be trained in another field.
Personal Injury Damages After a Workplace Accident
Generally, employees cannot sue their employers after workplace accidents if they are covered by workers’ compensation. However, if a third party negligently or intentionally caused the worker’s injuries, the worker may file a third-party claim under Georgia personal injury laws.
A personal injury claim can result in significantly more money than workers’ comp benefits.
A worker can receive economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- All lost wages and benefits
- Impairments and disabilities
- Loss of quality of life and enjoyment of life
- Reduced earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Long-term care
The value of your claim depends on the facts of the case. If you have questions about how much your workplace accident case is worth, reach out to our office to speak with an attorney.
Can I Receive Compensation if I’m Partially To Blame for a Workplace Accident in Georgia?
It depends on a few factors. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. Therefore, you can be responsible for your workplace accident and still receive full workers’ comp benefits. The exceptions are if you’re intoxicated when you are injured or if you intentionally cause your workplace accident.
On the other hand, personal injury claims are based on fault. You must prove that the other party caused your injury to receive damages. Georgia uses a modified comparative negligence standard. You can be partially to blame for causing your injury and recover some of your damages.
For example, if you are 10% to blame for the workplace accident, you could receive 90% of your damages. However, if you are more than 49% at fault, you are barred from receiving any money for your claim.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Workplace Accident Claim in Georgia?
The amount you receive for a workplace accident case depends on the type of claim you file and various other factors.
Factors that can impact how much your claim is worth include:
- The type of injuries caused by your workplace accident
- The severity and type of impairments and disabilities you sustain
- The duration of your recovery period
- Whether you are partially to blame for causing your workplace accident
- The type of claim(s) you file
- Evidence proving fault in a personal injury claim
- The total of your financial losses and expenses
- How your injuries impact your daily life
Our workplace accident attorneys in Savannah will work with you and your doctors to document your injuries. We may hire various experts to assist in valuing future damages if you sustain a life-long impairment. The goal is to obtain the maximum amount available for your claim.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Workplace Accident Claim in Georgia?
If you are injured at work, you must notify your employer within 30 days, or you could lose the right to receive workers’ comp benefits. However, it is best to report the injury as soon as possible. You have one year to file a workers’ compensation claim with the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation.
The Georgia statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the injury date. However, certain exceptions could change this deadline. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you talk with a Georgia attorney as soon as possible.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Savannah Workplace Accident Attorneys
Our lawyers at Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers have helped thousands of clients get the money they need and deserve after workplace accidents. If you or a family member was injured on the job, call our Savannah workplace accident lawyers for a free case review. We are here when you need trusted legal advice to protect your rights.