Dalton, Georgia Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

Report the accident immediately or as soon as practicable. Oral notice may be sufficient, but written notice should be given and retained. Notice generally must be provided within 30 days, although Georgia law recognizes limited statutory exceptions. See O.C.G.A. § 34-9-80.

In the event of death, written notice may be signed by one or more dependents or by a person acting on their behalf.

Failure to provide timely notice may bar benefits unless a statutory exception applies.

Under O.C.G.A. § 34-9-82, a claim must be filed within one year of the injury, subject to statutory exceptions and specialized rules, including those applicable to occupational disease claims.

The best course of action is to contact us immediately.

Georgia generally follows the employment-at-will doctrine and does not recognize a standalone wrongful termination claim based solely on filing or pursuing a workers' compensation claim. Depending on the circumstances, other statutory claims may be available.

A lawful layoff or termination does not automatically end workers’ compensation eligibility, but the type and amount of continuing benefits depend on the worker’s medical restrictions, earning capacity, employment efforts, and the reason for the wage loss.

O.C.G.A. § 34-9-201 provides that an employer must identify its authorized medical-care system. It may use a traditional panel generally containing at least six physicians or practices, or a Board-certified Workers’ Compensation Managed Care Organization.

In a genuine emergency or similarly justifiable situation, a worker may obtain necessary emergency treatment without first selecting a provider from the employer’s traditional panel or managed care organization. After the emergency, continuing treatment generally must follow the employer’s authorized medical-care system.

Under O.C.G.A. § 34-9-201(b)(1), an employee using a traditional panel generally may make one change to another panel physician without prior Board approval. Under O.C.G.A. § 34-9-200, either party may ask the Board to approve or order an additional change of physician or treatment.

Shaw Industries Group, Inc. provides residential, commercial, and outdoor flooring and other surface solutions. Mohawk Industries, Inc. manufactures carpet, luxury vinyl flooring, hardwood, and laminate.

If you are injured while performing your job duties at these companies, you should:

• Give your employer (or someone in a position of authority, such as a foreman or a supervisor) notice that you suffered injuries while working within 30 days. It’s best to give the notice in writing (keep a copy) and give the notice as soon as you can.
• Seek emergency medical treatment immediately when necessary. For nonemergency treatment, follow the authorized medical-care procedures provided by your employer.
• Review the authorized medical-care information provided by Shaw or Mohawk. Depending on the employer’s system, select a physician from its traditional panel or an eligible provider through its workers’ compensation managed care organization.
• Contact our Dalton, GA workers’ compensation attorneys. We can explain how the claims process works, review your medical care, file the proper notices and claims, and seek all the compensation you deserve.
• We can prepare you for a hearing at the location assigned by the State Board, generally in or near the county where the injury occurred.