Workers’ Compensation FAQs: Part Three, Filing Your Claim

In The Khaki Law Firm’s newest blog series, we are answering the questions we frequently receive about Workers’ Compensation Law in Georgia. More specifically, what exactly is workers compensation, when should you file a claim, and how The Khaki Law Firm can take the burden of the claims process of your shoulders.

In part one of our blog, we discussed what workers’ compensation benefits are, when coverage begins, and when to report an accident. Part two covered when you are entitled to benefits, for how long, and what happens if you do not receive those benefits.

Part three focuses on filing your workers’ compensation claim and scheduling a hearing with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation.

1. I did not receive my workers’ compensation benefits, and I need to file a claim. How do I do that? The Georgia Board of Workers’ Compensation provides Form WC-14 for filing claims. You can obtain this form on the Board’s website, www.sbwc.georgia.gov. The form includes instructions for submitting the document to the Board and to the parties involved. If you would like help with this process, you can contact The Khaki Law Firm at (678) 798-8799 or info@thekhakilawfirm.com. Our team would be happy to help guide you through the application process to make sure you meet all deadlines and that your claim portrays all available evidence in the best possible light.

2. I have filed my claim with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation. What happens next? On Form WC-14, you can request a formal hearing before an Administrative Law Judge at the State Board of Workers’ Compensation. The hearing is usually scheduled within 60-days from when the judge receives the WC-14 form. It will take place in or near the county where you were injured or became sick at work.

3. What happens during the hearing? A workers’ compensation claim hearing is similar to a legal trial. An Administrative Law Judge presides over the hearing. He or she will listen to both sides of the claim (both of the parties involved). They will then make a determination, based on the facts of the case and Georgia law, about what benefits you should receive – if any.

4. Can I have a lawyer represent me at the hearing? Yes, you can. Claimants are not required to use an attorney at this stage of the process – everyone has the right to represent themselves if they want to. However, many people elect to hire an attorney so that they can properly satisfy all relevant legal procedures and present their claim in the best possible light.

If you were injured or became sick at work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Unfortunately, many employers and insurance companies routinely deny workers’ compensation claims, leaving employees to face a complex legal system of hearings and appeals on their own. At The Khaki Law Firm, our team of knowledgeable and experienced workers’ compensation attorneys can help you navigate the legal system. Contact us at (678) 798-8799 or info@thekhakilawfirm.com for more information or to set up a consultation.