If you sustain an injury on the job in Georgia, you have the right to collect workers’ compensation benefits from your employer. Per Georgia law, these benefits should cover the cost of medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitative services and select other expenses. According to FindLaw, the most important aspect of the state’s current workers’ comp laws is that they state workers may receive benefits regardless of who was at fault for the accident that caused the injury. However, Georgia’s no-fault workers’ compensation system does not mean you cannot lose your rights to compensation.
According to FindLaw, there are a few ways you might lose your rights to workers’ compensation. For instance, if you engaged in willful misconduct, and if said misconduct is the reason for your accident, you may lose your rights to workers’ comp benefits. If your injury is of the self-inflicted variety, the workers’ comp insurer may rightfully deny your benefits.
If you were intoxicated at the time of your injury, or if blood tests reveal you had illegal drugs in your system at the time of the incident, you may forfeit your rights to workers’ compensation benefits. If you failed to give your employer full and prompt notice of the accident and your ensuing injuries, failed to accept necessary medical care or refused to submit to an alcohol or drug test following the accident, you may lose rights to workers’ comp benefits. Finally, if you refused to use recommended safety appliances, the workers’ comp board may have the right to deny your claim, even if said safety appliances could not have prevented your injury.
The content shared in this post is for educational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice.
