- Are you really that injured?
- You shouldn't file a workers' compensation claim.
- By filing a workers' compensation claim you will drive up our costs and hurt the company.
- We don't have light duty and you've been off long enough. If you want to keep your job, you need to get back to it now.
Do these comments sound familiar? At the Law Office of Pam Waldorf in Buford, Georgia, we can help you understand the workers' compensation process and how it should not have a negative effect your career.
Hard Work Deserves Compensation
Contact Pam Waldorf Today for a Free Initial Consultation
Many injured workers find themselves subjected to harassment and unfair pressure at work, or even outright hostility. The best thing to do is at least get a consultation with an experienced workers' compensation lawyer. Our attorney will answer all your questions and make sure you know what to expect when you file for workers' compensation.
Sometimes the reason for the pressure or hostility is that a supervisor does not understand what light duty is or why they should be required to put up with it. Having an injured worker may be making it difficult for the supervisor to get his or her job done. Employers sometimes ignore doctor recommendations, insisting that you injured workers look fine. However, if your employer is giving you the same work responsibilities, and ignoring the wishes of your physician, this does not comply with the law in Georgia.
Another reason is that after you have been injured on the job, you become a liability to your employer. Under the law in Georgia, the employer is required, if they have three or more employees, to carry workers' compensation insurance to cover injuries on the job. The rates for that insurance may go up if there are more reported injuries. While some employers accept this, others do not and may try to avoid documenting or reporting the injuries, and pressure employees in to not reporting them. This is not your fault or a reflection on your performance as an employee.
Many businesses do not want to be stuck with the liability of an injured worker, so they may try to force you out for a reason not involving your injury, such as recent occurrences of personnel problems. Georgia is a work at will state, like many, and your employer can terminate your employment after your injury.
Even if they do fire you, you are still eligible for workers compensation benefits, including lost wages. However, in order to obtain those benefits, you must follow certain steps. One of those steps is to perform a "light duty job search". This is very important and critical to your claim. We will help you with this process also, if it becomes necessary.
Contact Us
It is hard enough to deal with the medical concerns and financial pressures of a workplace injury, without feeling undeserved pressure from your employer. If you are being harassed at work, we can help. At the Buford Law Office of Pam Waldorf, we will make sure your rights are protected throughout the workers' compensation process. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
