Rankings.io | Workers' Compensation | December 7, 2025
When you’re hurt at work, that first workers’ compensation check can catch you off guard. Many people open it expecting support that matches their usual pay, only to find a much smaller amount and no clear explanation. In Georgia, these payments come from specific formulas written into state law, so understanding how they work can help you spot issues quickly.
Even a small mistake in calculating your average weekly wage or compensation rate can take thousands of dollars out of your total benefits over time. Because these errors happen more often than most workers realize, having an experienced workers’ compensation attorney review your payment can help you determine whether the numbers are right.
If you believe your benefits were calculated incorrectly or your claim was denied for the wrong reasons, you don’t need to wait for the insurer to correct the problem. Call Hasner Law at 678-888-HURT (4878) to schedule your free consultation.
Key Takeaways About Calculating Your Workers’ Comp Benefits
- Your benefit amount is based on your Average Weekly Wage (AWW), which is the average of your gross earnings for the 13 weeks before your injury.
- Georgia law provides for three main types of benefits: medical care, income replacement for lost wages, and compensation for permanent impairment.
- Weekly income benefits are generally calculated at two-thirds of your AWW, but they are subject to a maximum amount set by state law each year.
- Insurers can make errors when calculating your AWW by excluding overtime, bonuses, or income from a second job, which can significantly reduce your payments.
- A workers’ compensation lawyer can audit the insurance company’s calculations and fight to have any errors corrected to secure the full benefits you may be owed.
Understanding Your Average Weekly Wage in Georgia Workers’ Compensation
Every income benefit you may receive hinges on one number: your Average Weekly Wage (AWW). This figure is intended to represent your typical gross earnings before the work accident.
If this number is wrong, every single benefit check you receive will also be wrong. The insurance company is responsible for calculating it, but you and your attorney must verify its accuracy.
Georgia Workers’ Compensation Rules for Calculating AWW
Under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) § 34-9-260, your AWW is determined by adding up your total gross earnings for the 13 full weeks immediately preceding your injury. That total is then divided by 13 to find the average.
If you were not employed for a full 13 weeks before your injury, the insurer must calculate your average weekly wage (AWW) using the earnings of a comparable employee at the same company. If no comparable employee exists, your AWW should be based on the full-time weekly wage you were earning when you were injured.
The calculation of your AWW can become complicated if your pay varies or includes more than just a base salary. Insurance companies may overlook these additional earnings.
- Consistent Overtime Pay: If you regularly worked overtime in the 13 weeks before your injury, those earnings must be included in the calculation.
- Bonuses and Commissions: Performance bonuses or commissions you earned during that 13-week period are part of your gross wages.
- Per Diem or Allowances: In some jobs, allowances for things like travel or tools are considered part of your wages for workers’ comp purposes.
- Income from a Second Job: If you had a second job when you were injured, those earnings may be included in your AWW if the work is similar in nature. Be sure to inform your attorney about every job you held at the time of the injury.
Failing to include these income sources can significantly reduce your benefits, which can create financial strain during your recovery.
Medical Benefits Your Right to Treatment at No Cost
Under Georgia’s workers’ compensation system, if your claim is accepted, your employer’s insurance company must cover 100% of your authorized medical care. You do not pay copays or deductibles.
This includes any treatment that is reasonable and necessary for your recovery after a work injury. To receive this coverage, you must treat with a doctor listed on your employer’s approved Panel of Physicians.
What Medical Care is Covered Under Georgia Law
The scope of medical benefits is broad and is meant to cover every aspect of your treatment and recovery process. The insurance company is required to pay for these services directly so you should never receive a bill.
Your medical care is managed by an authorized treating physician from the employer’s panel. This doctor oversees your treatment plan, prescribes medication, and makes referrals to specialists. Covered medical care includes many different services.
- Doctor and Specialist Visits: All appointments with your authorized physicians and any specialists they refer you to.
- Hospital Stays and Surgery: Any required hospitalizations or surgical procedures to treat the work injury.
- Prescription Medications: All prescriptions related to your injury are covered in full.
- Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation: Sessions with physical or occupational therapists to help you regain strength and function.
- Mileage Reimbursement: You are entitled to be reimbursed for your travel to and from medical appointments at a rate set by the state.
Navigating the rules about authorized physicians and getting pre-approval for certain treatments can be challenging, but an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can manage this process for you.
How Weekly Income Benefits Are Calculated in Georgia Workers’ Compensation
When a work injury prevents you from earning your regular wages, workers’ compensation provides partial wage-replacement benefits. These payments, known as indemnity benefits, are designed to provide a financial safety net while you are out of work or earning less because of your injury. The amount you receive is based directly on your AWW and the nature of your disability.
Temporary Total Disability Benefits Under Georgia Workers’ Compensation
If your doctor says you cannot work at all for more than seven days because of your injury, you may qualify for Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits. These payments are based on two-thirds of your average weekly wage.
Georgia sets a limit on the amount you can receive, and injuries on or after July 1, 2023, have a maximum TTD rate of $800 per week. In non-catastrophic cases, these benefits can continue for up to 400 weeks from the date of your accident.
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) Benefits
If you are able to return to work in a light-duty role that pays less than your pre-injury job, you may qualify for Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits. These payments help replace part of the income you lose while working for reduced wages. TPD benefits are calculated at two-thirds of the difference between your average weekly wage and your current light-duty earnings.
These benefits have limits. For injuries after July 1, 2023, the maximum TPD rate is $533 per week, and they can be paid for up to 350 weeks from the date of your injury.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Benefits for Lasting Impairment
Some work injuries result in a permanent loss of function, even after you have reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). MMI means your condition is not expected to improve further.
At this point, your doctor will evaluate you for a permanent impairment and assign a disability rating. This rating is then used to calculate Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits.
How Impairment Ratings Work in Georgia Workers’ Compensation
Your authorized treating doctor will give you an impairment rating using the American Medical Association’s Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 5th Edition. This rating is a percentage that reflects the level of disability to a specific body part.
You have the right to challenge this rating. If you believe it is too low, a workers’ compensation attorney can assist you in obtaining a second opinion from another qualified physician. A higher rating may increase the amount of PPD benefits available to you.
The PPD Calculation Formula in Georgia
Georgia law assigns a set number of weeks to each body part under the permanent partial disability schedule. PPD benefits are calculated using this formula:
(Impairment Rating %) × (Weeks Assigned to the Body Part) × (Your TTD Rate)
These benefits are then paid weekly at your TTD rate after your TTD payments end. Because the calculation depends heavily on the accuracy of your impairment rating and the correct number of weeks, guidance from an experienced attorney can help you avoid errors that lower your benefits.
How a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Ensures Accurate Benefit Calculations
A correct Average Weekly Wage (AWW) is the foundation of your workers’ compensation benefits. Problems can arise when overtime, bonuses, or recent pay increases are not included.
At Hasner Law, we take steps to verify your income from the beginning. We carefully review your wage records, pay stubs, and any other documents needed to determine your true pre-injury earnings.
Our team brings more than 80 years of combined experience in Georgia workers’ compensation law. We know the rules that govern benefit calculations and act quickly when something is wrong.
When needed, we take disputes before a judge to protect your right to proper income benefits and timely medical care. Every case is prepared with the thoroughness required for a hearing, which often helps resolve issues faster and leads to more accurate benefit calculations.
With our “No Fee Unless We Win” arrangement, you can move forward with experienced legal support and no upfront cost.
FAQs for Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
Is workers’ compensation income taxable in Georgia?
No. Workers’ compensation benefits, including both income and medical benefits, are not considered taxable income by the IRS or the state of Georgia.
What is the maximum weekly workers’ comp benefit in Georgia?
For injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2023, the maximum weekly payment for Temporary Total Disability is $800. The maximum for Temporary Partial Disability is $533. These rates are set by the state legislature.
What if I had a second job when I was injured?
If you were working a second job, the gross wages from that job must be included when calculating your AWW, even if the injury did not happen there. This is a common area where insurers make mistakes, so it is important to provide proof of all your income to your attorney.
How do I know if the insurance company calculated my AWW correctly?
The insurance company is required to provide you with a Form WC-6, which shows how they calculated your AWW. You should review this form carefully with your pay stubs from the 13 weeks before your injury. If you see any discrepancies, such as missing overtime or bonuses, you should contact a workers’ compensation attorney immediately.
Can I get a second opinion on my impairment rating?
Yes, you have the right to challenge the impairment rating given by the authorized treating physician. Your attorney can help you arrange an independent medical examination (IME) with another doctor to get a second opinion. If that doctor provides a higher rating, your attorney can use it to negotiate for increased PPD benefits.
Speak With a Georgia Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today
Do not let an insurance company’s mistakes determine the benefits you receive. You are entitled to full and accurate calculations under Georgia law.
AWW calculations, impairment ratings, and benefit limits can be difficult to sort through on your own, especially while you are recovering. A focused legal advocate can take on this work and handle the dispute on your behalf.
If you were injured on the job, it is important to act promptly to protect your rights. Contact the workers’ compensation attorneys at Hasner Law to review your claim. Call 678-888-HURT (4878) for a free, no-obligation consultation.
