Recent Articles

Be on Your Best Behavior if Your Attempt to Return to Work with a Light or Full Duty Release

March 20, 2012 15:51

An area of concern for many workers’ compensation claimants has to do with returning to work under a fully or light duty release.  I always remind my clients about the importance of having a WC-240 form in hand before attempting to return to work.  The WC-240 is an official State Board form...

When is the “Right Time” to Settle Your Case?

January 26, 2012 03:33

Perhaps no other element of a workers compensation case gives rise to as many questions as the subject of when and how to settle your case.  In my opinion the timing of settlement negotiations can greatly influence the outcome of your case.  Settle too soon and you may end up paying out of pocket...

Social Media and Workers’ Compensation Claims – a Bad Combination!

January 24, 2012 03:29

Would you be surprised if I told you that those photos you uploaded to Facebook, or that video of your child’s basketball game now playing on YouTube, or even your restaurant “check-in” on Yelp could cost you thousands of dollars and seriously undermine your workers’...

How do Workers’ Compensation Adjusters Pressure Authorized Doctors?

January 24, 2012 02:06

Have you ever wondered how an insurance adjuster can influence your authorized workers’ compensation doctor?   If you work in an industry where employees often get hurt, or where work injuries are likely to be serious, you can be certain that your employer’s insurance company has...

Be on Alert for “Red Flag” Symptoms in Back Injury Cases

January 12, 2012 17:53

A significant number of work injuries in Georgia involve back injuries.   Unfortunately if you are being treated by a “posted panel” doctor, your treatment may be delayed or not taken seriously.  In this video, I discuss certain “red flag” issues that demand immediate...

When Do I Get my First Lost Wage Check?

November 23, 2011 16:30

Often the problem that drives clients to call me relates to lost wage checks.  Specifically, you may have been hurt a week or two ago, you are getting letters and State Board forms in the mail, but no lost wage check.  What exactly are the rules regarding when you are supposed to get that first...

What Happens if my Weekly Benefit Checks are Late?

October 27, 2011 21:05

I understand how important it is that you receive your weekly temporary total disability benefits on time.     If you are like many of my clients, when you lose your regular paycheck and you are depending on workers’ compensation, you may be living week to week and you may face significant...

Am I Entitled to More than One Independent Medical Exam if I have Multiple Work Injuries?

May 30, 2011 15:45

Under Georgia's workers' compensation law, your employer gets to direct where you get medical care if your employer provides you with a valid "posted panel of physicians."   Not surprisingly, posted panel doctors sometimes bring a pro-employer bias to their treatment of you.  I...

Can my Spouse Get Paid by the Insurance Company for Helping Me Recover at Home from my Injury?

May 24, 2011 15:40

Many of my clients are surprised to learn that their husband, wife or significant other can ask for payment for "attendant care" of an injured worker at home.   Why?  Often my seriously injured clients cannot take care of basic necessities such as: More on Can my Spouse Get Paid by the...

What to do About Substandard Medical Care in Your Workers' Compensation Case

March 13, 2011 16:40

If you have never been involved in the Georgia workers’ compensation system before, you may be shocked and disappointed to learn that some of the physicians you meet seem to have an agenda other than your health and best interest. The Georgia workers’ compensation statute has created an environment...