Bacon Law Firm, P.C. » workers compensation

Attorney Gary Bacon to Participate In New Workers Compensation Teleconferencing

Admin — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:09:55 +0000

Attorney Gary Bacon to Participate In New State Board of Workers Compensation Teleconferencing

On November 8, 2011, the State Board of Workers Compensation will begin a new era of Video Conferencing for Appeals to the State Board of Workers Compensation. The new system, which was promised by Chairman, Richard Thompson, of the State Board of Workers Compensation, will allow attorneys to argue their cases before the State Board of Workers Compensation, located in Atlanta, Georgia from the State Board Offices in Albany, Georgia or Savannah, Georgia.

This means an attorney representing the claimant or employer could be in the Savannah office arguing an appeal to the three member State Board in Atlanta. The opposing counsel could be in Albany, Savannah or Atlanta arguing the case at the same time.

This promises to be a great savings of time and cost for the attorneys and their clients who incur the cost of travel, lodging and other expenses if they reside in areas of Georgia outside of Atlanta.

On November 8, 2011, Attorney Gary A. Bacon, will be one of the first attorneys in Georgia to participate in the first of day of video teleconferencing before the State Board of Workers Compensation.

He will be arguing a Workers Compensation Appeal in Savannah, Georgia, which will transmitted by video conference to Atlanta where the State Board of Workers Compensation members will be hearing the arguments and fielding appropriate questions.

The State Board of Workers Compensation, which hears appeals from the decisions of the Administrative Law Judges, consists of three Judges, Chairman Richard Thompson, Judge Warren Massey, and Judge Stephen Farrow.

Bacon said “This is a great opportunity. It shows the forward thinking by the Chairman of the State Board, Judge Richard Thompson and the team at the State Board. Over the years, it will be a great saving of time and cost to both the claimants and employers of this state.”

For more information, contact Gary A. Bacon at 912 882-7322 or 912 545-9009.

What is TTD, TPD, and PPD?

Admin — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 01:47:33 +0000

In a work injury or workers compensation claim, an injured worker is entitled to many benefits under law. Three income benefits are:

Temporary Total Disability Benefits (TTD) — Temporary Total Disability income benefits are paid to compensate the injured worker for his lost wages. These income benefits are due when the job injury to the employee disabled the worker from any type of work. A medical opinion showing “no work status” or “no work” work restriction is usually required from a doctor. The compensation rate for Temporary Total Disability Benefits is 2/3 of the employee’s average weekly wage. The maximum TTD comp rate is currently $500 per week. This is based on your average weekly wage. These income benefits usually begin upon the initial injury.

Temporary Partial Disability Benefits (TPD) — Temporary Partial Disability income benefits are for injured workers who are able to return to light duty or modified work but are earning less income due to their injuries. They are usually paid on a weekly basis. The pay is based by comparing the current weekly wages to the average weekly wage. The compensation rate for temporary partial disability is 2/3 of the lost weekly income. The maximum weekly TPD comp rate in Georgia is currently $334. These income benefits are usually obtained upon an attempt to return to work which is not full time or at a job which pays less because of your injured status.

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) — Permanent Partial Disability benefits compensate the injured worker for the permanent loss of use of part of his or her body. This permanent loss of use is based on a permanent partial disability rating which is assigned by the treating doctors. These benefits are often paid after you have completed other benefits or upon settlement of your claim.

The Bacon Law Firm can often get these benefits started or obtained for you without a court hearing when the evidence is clear of the injury and the responsibility of the employer.

This blog content is based on the law of Georgia. It is not meant to give legal advice to your specific situation and does not create relationship of attorney client with the benefits of the attorney client privileges. You should consult an attorney in your state about specific workers compensation issues. This blog is meant to increase your awareness and legal understanding of these concepts.

What is an IME in workers compensation case?

Admin — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 20:07:06 +0000

In a work injury case or workers compensation case, you have many benefits that are due you by law as an injured employee. Your employer or his insurance company is under no duty to disclose these benefits to you. If you do not know your benefits, your time to obtain these benefits could pass and you would be barred from receiving them. Consult our firm for details on what benefits you are due.

One benefit is the IME. This is an independent medical exam which is paid for by the employer at no cost for you. Your attorney can assist you in scheduling this appointment. It gives you the opportunity to have another physician review your treatment and render an opinion on your medical condition and future medical concerns. This can be significant benefit in getting you additional medical care and settlement in the future. This equips you to obtain a second, independent medical exam.

For professional representation with your workers compensation claim, call the Bacon Law Firm, P.C. at 912 882-7322. 28 years of proven experience.

Tick! Tock! Is your workers compensation claim about to expire?

Admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:42:10 +0000

Recently a client came into our office for a free initial consultation about her workers compensation injury. It had happened sometime ago. Her employer did not tell her she was entitled to additional benefits. Her employer did not tell her that if she did not take immediate legal action she would be forever barred from getting these benefits which she is entitled to under Georgia law. She was literally days away from this bar to her case occurring.

The insurance company and adjuster for the employer did not tell her she was about to lose her benefits either. Tick! Tock! Tick! Tock! Are you a person with a worker compensation injury who is about to loose your benefits? Tick! Tock!
Because of our technology and training, we filed her claim in Atlanta, Georgia, the same day protecting her benefits until we could settle the case or try it. We were able to get her treated again under her Workers Compensation benefits. This case is not over. But now she has experienced legal counsel to make sure that she gets all of her benefits. Again, there were with no upfront legal cost for the initial consultation. Usually fees are paid out of the settlement that we obtain for our clients.
Call Bacon Law Firm today at 912 882-7322 for a free initial case review if you have an existing claim. No fee is charged for this review. We can handle serious cases throughout the state of Georgia. Do not let the time run out on your case. We can help.

Do I have the right to a jury trial in my work injury claim?

Admin — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:02:09 +0000

Do I have the right to a jury trial in my work injury claim? No. Workers compensation hearings are held before an administrative law judge without a jury. The rules of evidence, law of the state, and the Board rules apply to these hearings. You should have an experienced lawyer with you at any trial before the administrative law judge.

Do I pay upfront for my lawyer in a work injury?

Admin — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:59:40 +0000

Do I pay upfront for my lawyer in a work injury? No. Most lawyers accept Workers Compensation cases on a contingency basis. This means that they will accept it for a percentage of the recovery when the case is settled. This fee is 25% in most cases in the State of Georgia. You will have to reimburse the lawyer for some other costs. Examples are copy cost, postage cost, telephone cost, and deposition cost. Usually these are reimbursed after the settlement.

Under certain circumstances, the employer or insurance company may have to pay your lawyer fees in addition to the money you recover. These are called assessed lawyer fees and are in addition to your recovery. These can only be obtain in certain circumstances. Therefore, you should review this matter with a workers compensation lawyer if you think you are due income benefits.

Can I get mileage for my travel to see a doctor about my work injury?

Admin — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:58:25 +0000

Can I get mileage for my travel to see a doctor about my work injury? Yes. Mileage is one of the benefits you are due. This is usually mileage at a set rate to and from the medical care provider. However, in certain circumstances, you may be entitled to overnight lodging and meal reimbursement. Consult the local law or a local lawyer for details on this benefit.

Can you choose your doctor in your work injury case?

Admin — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:57:04 +0000

Can you choose your doctor in your work injury case? Yes. You usually have the right to choose your doctor. However, it has to be from a list of approved doctors. Usually, six separate doctors or clinics. If there is not a panel (list) of doctors at your place of business, you can select a doctor to treat you. Your employer would have to pay for this treatment. However, before you make this step, you should consult a workers compensation lawyer about this decision. If you make the wrong decision, you could be responsible thousands of dollars worth of medical bills that your employer and his insurance company will not have to pay. By hiring a lawyer early in your case, you will have his or her guidance through this difficult process.

How to get medical benefits for your work injury?

Admin — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:51:09 +0000

Medical benefits payments are a large percentage of the money paid out each year by workers compensation insurance companies. If you do not follow the process of your state law, you may personally be held responsible for the medical cost of your case.

Each employer should have a panel (list) of medical providers who will provide medical care for you. The employer and/or the employer’s insurance company place these doctors on this list. You usually have the right to select one of these approved doctors to care for you. YOU not your employer should make this decision. You usually have the right to make a one-time change of a physician on the list without your employer’s approval. Make a written demand to select your physician. Send a copy to the employer and insurance company. Be sure to keep a copy of all your correspondence and other papers in your claim.

After this change, you will have to petition the court to change physicians. If you are not provided the medical care you deserve, you may have to petition the court to obtain medical care. This will often require a hearing before the Workers Compensation Judge. Always hire an lawyer for any proceeding before a court. The other side has a team of lawyers to oppose you in your claim. Be prepared by hiring an experienced workers compensation lawyer.

What to do when you are injured at work?

Admin — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:43:11 +0000

When you are injured at work, you need to immediately take several steps. The first is to notify your immediate supervisor that you were injured on the job and the severity of the injury. If the injury prevents you from working, tell the supervisor this. If you need immediate medical care, request it immediately. Ask for the panel (list) of physicians who are approved by the workers compensation insurance company. Usually you have the right to choose from the list.

Call a lawyer who practices Workers Compensation law. After an injury, you will often be asked questions which may affect the outcome of your case. You need competent legal help to guide you through this process. Remember, most workers compensation insurance companies have teams of defense lawyers available to guide them with a simple call. You need a lawyer in your corner of the ring to guide you and fight for you if necessary.

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