Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Augusta, GA Aids Injured Employees

Attorney Jeff Bowman helps clients seek relief and justice through workers’ comp claims.

Accidents happen on the job and most employers are required to provide coverage so that injured employees can pay their medical bills and other expenses. Unfortunately, some workers’ compensation claims aren’t approved so easily, putting an injured claimant under even more pressure. Located in Augusta, Jeffrey S. Bowman assists Georgia clients secure the payments they’re entitled to after suffering a job-related injury or illness. With more than 30 years of experience in the field, I know how to fight for full, prompt payment and to counter the insurance company tactics that sometimes frustrate workplace accident victims.

Aggressive attorney aims to secure benefits for medical costs and lost wages.

The first step in a workers’ compensation claim is reporting the injury or illness to your employer as soon as possible. Failure to do so within 30 days could prevent you from obtaining reimbursement. Benefits that are available in Georgia include:

• Medical expenses – Reasonable medical expenses and related costs, such transportation to and from appointments, are fully reimbursable under the workers’ compensation system.
• Lost wages – Individuals who miss work due to a total disability are entitled to receive two-thirds of their average weekly wage up to the maximum amount set by the state, which is currently $675.
• Rehabilitation costs – Should you require occupational therapy or some other type of rehabilitation in connection with your injury, those expenses are covered.
• Dependent death benefits – Following a fatal workplace incident, the victim’s family can receive up to $7,500 for funeral expenses as well an ongoing death benefit payment similar to total disability wage replacement.

Though you cannot seek noneconomic damages, such as compensation for pain and suffering, from your employer, you may be able to do so in a personal injury lawsuit if a third party’s negligence was partly to blame for your injury. For example, you may have been hurt due to a defective product or in a vehicle collision while on the job (though not while commuting to or from work).

Experienced legal counselor fights for total and partial disability payments.

Workers’ compensation is available for total or partial disabilities, which are defined by whether or not the claimant is able to perform some job functions. Once the claimant has reached maximum medical improvement, they might be able to collect permanent disability benefits if for an impairment linked to the work-related medical condition. These payments may be provided periodically or in a lump sum. My firm handles a full range of permanent disability matters, as well as Social Security Disability claims for eligible individuals who do not expect to return to work for at least 12 months.

Effective litigator handles appeals for people whose claims were denied.

Employers and their insurance companies deny benefits for several different reasons. You may not get the payment you believe you deserve because your company alleges that your injury did not occur on the job or because your company believes your medical condition is not authentic. I work tirelessly for claimants in mediations and appeal hearings before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation. In certain instances, the threat of a formidable appeal may convince an insurer to offer favorable settlement terms. If you don’t win relief at the hearing stage, my firm advises regarding the potential likelihood of a successful court action.