Atlanta Workers' Comp Blog
Three Hot Workers' Compensation Topics Anticipated in the 2012 Georgia Legislative Session
Submitted by admin on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 12:02pmThe Georgia Legislature is currently in session and there will undoubtedly be active debate about some integral elements of the current state of our workers' compensation system. The bill which we expect to be proposed before the end of this month will likely focus on the following issues:
Gingrich Makes Negative Comments About Injured Workers in the Current Workers' Compensation System
Submitted by admin on Mon, 01/09/2012 - 8:51amWorkers' Compensation programs and the Social Security Disability benefits may be prime targets for review if Republicans are successful in defeating President Obama in the next election. Fox News reported that on January 3, 2012, Newt Gingrich called for the redesign of both disability and worker's compensation insurance to focus on abilities and rehabilitation, suggesting the current system is "very dangerous" because it subsidizes people who "do nothing."
How do Georgia Workers' Compensation Cases Settle?
Submitted by admin on Mon, 01/02/2012 - 8:43am• Settlement is a voluntary process. Both sides must be interested in resolving the claim. You cannot go to court to ask an Administrative Law Judge to settle your case.
ReWalk: Fascinating New Assistive Device for Spinal Cord Injury Patients
Submitted by admin on Tue, 12/27/2011 - 11:16amReWalk is an exciting new technology that is now available for people who have suffered a spinal cord injury. The ReWalk, a standing exoskeleton, is providing amazing benefits for individuals with paralysis below the waist. This device make it possible to stand, walk, and even climb steps. Developed by Argo Medical Technologies Ltd., an Israeli company, the ReWalk is improving the mobility of paraplegic patients, helping to ensure them a better quality of life.
Injured on the job? You May Have a Liability Case in addition to Your Workers' Compensation Case
Submitted by admin on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 9:05amIf you are injured on the job as the result of the negligence of a "third party" (someone who is not your co-worker), you may be entitled to pursue a personal injury claim against that individual. The advantage of pursuing a third party claim is that you may be able to recover for lost wages, lost future earnings, pain & suffering and the loss of services of your spouse. These are damages that you cannot recover as part of your workers' compensation case.
Georgia Injured Workers Should Use Caution When Posting on Facebook, Twitter or Other Social Networking Sites
Submitted by admin on Fri, 11/18/2011 - 2:44pmDefense attorneys in workers' compensation cases are increasingly turning to social networking sites to gather information about injured workers as part of the discovery process. For example, if an employee with a back injury claim and strict lifting restrictions from his treating physician posts a photo on Facebook of himself working out with heavy weights at the local gym, this could lead to the suspension of his weekly checks. Similarly, when an injured worker who is collecting weekly benefits tweets on Twitter about her weekend boating trip at the lake, this could lower the settlement value of her case.
Delayed Back Injury Treatment Reduces Your Chances of a Good Recovery
Submitted by admin on Mon, 11/07/2011 - 8:51amAnyone who has suffered a back injury on the job or who has been diagnosed with a lumbar disc herniation knows all too well what it feels like to have pain, numbness, tingling and/or weakness in one or both legs. This pain occurs when the discs, or cushions, between the bones of your back weaken, allowing a jelly-like substance called the nucleus to push out.
15 Essential Points You Should Know Before Settling a Workers' Comp. Claim in Georgia
Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 8:35am1. No two claims are alike. Even if you and your friend have both suffered back injuries, the value of your cases will be different because the facts of your cases are not the same.
2. The higher your weekly compensation rate, the more your case will be worth.
3. The higher your impairment rating(s), the more your case will be worth.
4. There is no recovery for pain and suffering.
Workers' Comp Market Not on Upswing Anytime Soon: Not Good News for Injured Workers
Submitted by admin on Thu, 10/13/2011 - 9:19amEdward Keane, a senior financial analyst with A.M. Best, recently provided an interesting insight into the current state of the workers' compensation insurance market. He expressed the opinion that it is unlikely that writers of workers' compensation insurance will see that line of business turn around anytime soon, despite large-scale workers' compensation reform bills enacted in several states this year. In my opinion, this will undoubtedly result in closer scrutiny of workers' comp claims and more aggressive claims handling by employers, insurers and self-insurers.
Nationwide Narcotic Prescription Drug Abuse Under Scrutiny in the Workers' Compensation System
Submitted by admin on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 1:32pmAccording to business industry experts, narcotic prescription drugs are a major element responsible for increasing costs to employers and insurers in the workers' compensation system. Some members of the business and insurance industry have labelled the rising use of opioids by injured workers as a "national epidemic". Consequently, employers, insurers and self-insurers are now taking aggressive steps to try to combat the problem.
