According to the most recent data from the National Safety Council (NSC), work injuries cost the U.S. $167 billion in 2022.
From that figure alone, you can see how costly work injuries are, especially for workers. So, if you or a loved one has sustained a work injury in Georgia, you may wonder, “Does Worker’s Compensation fund rehabilitation services?”
In this guide created by the experts at Hollington Brown LLP, you’ll learn the answer to that question and discover strategies to help ensure you get your Worker’s Comp benefits.
Does Worker’s Compensation Fund Rehabilitation in GA?
Per Georgia Code § 34-9-200.1, a workers’ compensation claim in Georgia can include rehabilitation services. However, it only applies to employees who sustain “catastrophic injuries.”
Georgia Code § 34-9-200.1 defines catastrophic injuries as:
- Spinal cord injuries that lead to severe arm, leg, or trunk paralysis
- Effective loss of use of an arm, hand, foot, or leg due resulting from a necessary amputation
- Severe brain or closed head injuries
- Second or third-degree burns impacting over 25% of the whole body or third-degree burns affecting at least 5% of the face or hands
- Industrial or total blindness
- Any other injury so severe the employee can no longer perform their prior work and any work available in substantial numbers within the national economy for which the worker is otherwise qualified
Your employer should provide vocational rehabilitation under Worker’s Comp coverage if you sustained such injuries.
Are All Workers Legally Entitled to Worker’s Comp Benefits?
No.
While the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act covers most “employees” in the state, it excludes specific worker categories. Here are examples of workers exempted from the Worker’s Comp Act, according to the GA State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC):
- Federal government employees
- Domestic workers
- Farmers and farm laborers
- Railroad employees
- Organizations with two or fewer full-time or part-time employees
However, some employers exempted from the Act can still voluntarily provide workers’ comp benefits. If you’re unsure if yours does, you can ask your employer directly or verify coverage through the SBWC website.
What About Non-catastrophic Injuries?
Non-catastrophic injuries are less severe than their catastrophic counterparts but may still require medical treatment and days away from work.
Here are some examples of the most common work injuries often classified as non-catastrophic:
- Sprains and strains
- Cuts and wounds
- Repetitive use injuries
The Georgia Worker’s Comp Act doesn’t require employers to provide rehabilitation coverage for non-catastrophic injuries. However, these injuries must still give workers the following benefits:
- Authorized doctor’s bills
- Hospitalization fees
- Necessary medical rehab coverage (e.g., physical therapy and occupational therapy)
- Prescriptions
- Necessary travel expenses
Despite not being mandatory, some employers offer vocational rehabilitation services for workers with non-catastrophic injuries. They often do so to help their workers rejoin the workforce sooner.
What Are Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits?
Vocational rehabilitation services help workers with physical or mental disabilities maintain or obtain employment. For Worker’s Comp claims that qualify for these services, the benefits may include:
- Educational programs for retraining
- Vocational evaluations
- Tuition payment
- On-the-job training (OJT)
- Career counseling
- Job placement services, including assistance with resume and interview coaching
- Potential job accommodations and workplace modifications
As you can see, vocational rehabilitation aims to help injured workers continue working despite their disabilities.
How Do You Qualify for Rehabilitation Services?
Qualifying for vocational rehab services starts with knowing what to do after a work injury. The first step is to seek medical attention immediately following the incident.
Please do this even if your injuries don’t seem severe; some injuries, like whiplash and traumatic brain injuries, may not always present symptoms immediately.
Seeing a doctor immediately after sustaining a work injury is crucial for proper diagnosis. Besides, you’d need your doctor’s documentation once you file for a Worker’s Comp claim.
After seeking medical attention, you can then proceed with the following steps.
Report Your Injury
Under the Georgia Worker’s Comp Act, you must report any work injury immediately or within 30 days of the incident. The people you must report to can be your:
- Employer
- Employer’s representative
- Immediate supervisor
- Foreman
Please don’t delay filing the report. Failure to satisfy the 30-day requirement may result in losing your Worker’s Comp rights.
Prepare All Necessary Documents
To file for a Worker’s Comp claim, you must fill out a WC-14 Form (Notice of Claim/Request for Hearing/Request for Mediation). You can get this from your employer or the official Georgia SBWC website.
Fill out the WC-14 Form completely, and ensure you explain the nature of your injury in as much detail as possible. You must also clearly state the benefits you seek, including qualified rehabilitation services.
After filling out the form completely, make at least three extra copies. Keep one for yourself, send one to your employer, and the other to their Worker’s Comp provider.
You must also prepare the following documents to support your claim:
- Prescription receipts
- Medical and hospitalization bills
- Employment documents, such as earning or wage statements
File Your Worker’s Comp Claim
File the original WC-14 Form with the Georgia SBWC. You can submit it in person or mail it to the correct address. Please note you have only a year from the date of injury to file the claim with the SBWC.
If your injury restricts your ability to organize all these requirements ASAP, seek expert legal help. A Worker’s Compensation lawyer can assist you throughout the entire period, including:
- Confirming which Worker’s Comp benefits you should receive
- Collecting evidence that you deserve all the benefits you’re filing for
- Gathering and preparing all necessary documents
- Filing your Worker’s Comp claim as soon as possible
With the help of a Worker’s Comp attorney, you can focus on healing and recovering. You can also avoid making costly mistakes that may lead to diminished benefits or a denial of your claim. Your lawyer will help you access all the benefits you deserve as soon as possible.
Get the Worker’s Comp Benefits You Deserve
So, does Worker’s Compensation fund rehabilitation services? Now you know it does, provided the injury qualifies as a “catastrophic injury,” or the employer voluntarily provides the services.
At Hollington Brown LLP, we can determine all the benefits you should get with your Worker’s Comp claim. We’ll use our 28+ years of experience representing injured workers to help you get the most favorable outcome for your claim.
So, speak with us today for your free consultation. We won’t charge you unless we recover benefits on your behalf.
