Atlanta Permanent Disability Lawyer
Permanent disabilities can leave you wondering how you will pay your bills and care for your loved ones. Hasner Law, P.C. understands how scary a time this is for you. Our Atlanta permanent disability lawyers can help you obtain financial security for your future.
At Hasner Law, P.C., our Atlanta workers’ compensation attorneys have a passion for helping people just like you take advantage of the full benefits available to you under the law.
You worked hard for your employer. Now, you’ve suffered a permanent injury. You deserve compensation to help you move forward with your life.
Contact our team today for a free consultation about your workers’ compensation disability claim. We serve Atlanta, GA, Marietta, GA, and more.
How Can Hasner Law, P.C. Help Me After A Permanent Disability in Georgia?
Your life dramatically changes after you suffer a long-term disability at work. You will likely incur substantial medical expenses. To add insult to injury, your medical condition will preclude you from working, resulting in lost wages and income. Our Atlanta personal injury lawyers can help you recover compensation for your injuries.
Hasner Law, P.C.’s team of compassionate lawyers have a combined 80 years of experience in workers’ compensation and personal injury law. Attorney Stephen Hasner is active in multiple organizations that advocate for injured workers. His 23+ years of experience in the field makes him uniquely qualified to help you through this process.
When you hire Hasner Law, P.C., we begin our proven process to ensure you receive the full workers’ compensation benefits you are entitled to under the law.
This includes:
- Meeting notice and filing deadlines
- Dealing with your employer and the insurance companies for you
- Negotiating a settlement on your behalf
- Fighting your case before an Administrative Law Judge
- Exploring Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI)
Working through the workers’ compensation claims process can be confusing. Missing deadlines can ruin a benefits claim. Don’t risk your future by trying to go it alone. Get Hasner Law, P.C. on your team to make sure everything is handled properly.
Contact our law firm in Atlanta, Georgia, today for a free consultation with an Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyer.
How Much Compensation Can I Receive for My Permanent Disability?
Every case is different because workers’ compensation benefits are based on the severity of your injury and your weekly wages before you got injured. Our lawyers will analyze your unique claim to advise you how much money you should receive.
Workers’ compensation benefits can be broken down into four main types:
- Medical
- Income
- Rehabilitation
- Death
There are two main types of permanent disabilities under Georgia law: permanent partial disability and permanent total disability.
Permanent total disability only occurs when a worker suffers a “catastrophic injury” defined under the workers compensation statutes. A catastrophic injury is defined as any injury that prevents the employee from being able to perform any work that they are qualified for and that is readily available in the national economy. Unlike other workers’ compensation benefits, benefits for a catastrophic injury can make you eligible for lifetime medical benefits and income benefits.
Permanent partial disabilities provide income benefits on a rigid scale set by law. The income benefit is 2/3 of your weekly pay prior to injury up to $675. The number of weeks you can receive this benefit is calculated using a formula. The formula examines which body part is injured and the percentage loss of use you suffer as determined by a doctor.
The percentage loss of use is multiplied by the maximum number of weeks you can get paid for a permanent disability of that body part. The state of Georgia has a chart called “Bodily Loss Maximum Weeks.”
Here is an example of how this could work out:
Let’s say you made $500 a week before being injured. Two-thirds of this is $333. That is your income benefit. Now let’s say your injury was to your hand. As a result, you have a permanent partial use of your hand. The percentage impairment is 40% reduced use of the hand.
Consulting the chart, the maximum number of weeks for income protection for a hand is 160 weeks. Multiply the 40% reduced of use of your hand by the 160 week figure. This results in 64. For this particular hand injury, workers’ compensation income insurance should pay $333 for 64 weeks.
It is critical that you work with our qualified attorneys to determine if your permanent disability is a partial or total disability. Our Atlanta permanent disability lawyer will help you calculate how much money you are eligible for through the Georgia workers’ compensation system.
What Are Some Common Types of Permanent Workplace Injuries?
Common permanent partial injuries in the workplace can affect:
- Hand and fingers
- Foot and toes
- Arms and legs
- Vision and hearing
Any permanent disability is extremely serious. Our Atlanta permanent disability lawyers will help you fight back if your boss is trying to downplay the seriousness of your injury.
Some common catastrophic or permanent full disability injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Loss/amputation of a foot, hand, arm, leg
- Serious brain injuries
- Serious burn injuries
- Blindness
- Any injury making any work impossible
Our team will partner with medical experts to ensure that your injuries are properly evaluated. Don’t let the insurance company dictate what happens to you. Hasner Law, P.C. will fight tenaciously on your behalf.
Am I Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits and Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
Workers that are permanently disabled are usually eligible for both workers’ compensation AND Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). However, your SSDI claim will usually be reduced by whatever amount you receive through the workers’ compensation system. This is called the “workers’ comp offset.”
It is critical to work with a social security disability lawyer who can manage the interaction between the two permanent disability benefits systems. Doing something wrong can risk benefits with the social security administration.
For instance, when drafting a settlement, specific language and terms like the “Hartman Offset” should be used to protect your benefits. Our social security disability attorneys are well-equipped to navigate this complex area of the law for you.
Are there Time Limits for My Workers’ Compensation and Disability claims?
Yes! Time limits to report your injury to your employer and insurer can impact your claim. There are also important time limits to filing a claim.
You should typically report your injury to your employer within 30 days of your accident. However, you generally have one year to file your workers’ compensation claim. Waiting can risk your entire benefits package.
Contact Our Atlanta Permanent Disability Lawyers for Help
Any permanent injury needs to be taken very seriously by your employer. Our Atlanta permanent disability lawyers are prepared to make sure you receive the full benefits you are entitled to under Georgia law.
Contact our law office today for your free case evaluation to learn more about our practice areas.
