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Big Businesses Want Special Workers’ Compensation Rules

Employees are frequently injured performing their jobs at their workplace.  The workers’ compensation system was created to provide injured workers with medical treatment for their injuries and benefits while they were out of work.  Injured workers could receive these benefits without having to file a lawsuit against their employers.  The workers’ compensation system has worked well for over one hundred years.

Big businesses want to make their own special workers’ compensation rules

Now, many big businesses want to be able to make up their own rules.  They are trying to change the law so they can set up their own workers’ compensation laws for their employees because they don’t want to have to follow the laws that everyone else has to follow.

This is fundamentally unfair.  It is someone wanting to drive 90 miles per hour while everyone else has to drive 60.  Big businesses, regardless of how much money they have, should have to follow the same laws that everyone else does.

NPR and ProPublica have written an excellent article about this push by big businesses to make up their own workers’ compensation rules.   You should read it.  It discusses how big businesses make their own plans with their own set of laws.  It also discusses how a group of big businesses has a plan to make these changes in states across the country.

If big businesses make up their own laws, who is going to hold them accountable?

As the ProPublica article mentions, there is really no one to hold the businesses accountable.  While business want to claim that “opting out” of workers’ compensation coverage is simply making a choice, this article shows that these plans almost always provide much less coverage and fewer benefits to employees who are injured at work.

Also, employers often put loopholes in their plans that allow them to avoid even more responsibility.  The ProPublica article discusses several loopholes from these plans that would be extremely harmful to injured workers.

The requirement of reporting an injury within 24 hours or before the end of the shift

I cannot tell you how many injured workers I have represented who do not report their injuries immediately.  Many people are concerned about being seen as the troublemaker, whiner, or complainer so they do not want to report what may be a minor injury.  As the ProPublica article mentions, these hard working people are unfairly punished for simply trying to keep doing their job under the special rules in these big business plans.

The requirement of accepting a settlement offer

It is unbelievable to think that anyone would be forced to accept a settlement offer made by an employer or insurance company. That is like someone who wants to buy your car telling you that you are going to be forced to sell it to them for $500.  That is not how settlement works.  Settlement is where both sides freely agree to resolve a dispute.  It is not a process where one side forces the other side to do something.

The exclusion of cumulative trauma injuries and occupational diseases

The idea of workers’ compensation is that the employer is responsible for medical treatment that are work-related.  But many of these special plans set up by big businesses try to exclude certain types of injuries that are work-related.  Some do not cover carpal tunnel syndrome.  Others do not cover occupational diseases.  Instead of real alternative to workers’ compensation, many of these plans seem like an attempt to increase corporate profits at the expense of their employees’ health and well being.

Why should I care about workers’ compensation?

Most people do not pay much attention to the workers’ compensation laws in their state.  They never plan on getting hurt.  All of us at Perkins Studdard hope that you never suffer a work-related injury.  But we do hope you understand how important it is that these laws are fair to employees who are unfortunate enough to suffer an injury.  At some point, you or someone you love may be dealing with a work-related injury.  We strongly believe that the health and well being of people should not be jeopardized so that corporations can make a bigger profit.

What if I have other questions about workers compensation?

Georgia’s workers compensation system can be very confusing.  You have to worry about getting the treatment you need and paying your bills while also worrying about not missing any deadlines that could cause you to lose your right to receive workers compensation benefits.

If you have questions, I would recommend that you try to get answers.  To find out more about how to schedule a time to talk to me about your workers compensation questions, just read this short article.

Jason Perkins is an attorney who specializes in representing injured workers.  He regularly publishes videos and write blog articles about Georgia’s workers compensation system and issues that are important to injured workers and their families.

To be notified of Jason’s new workers compensation videos, subscribe to his Georgia Workers Compensation Video Series channel on YouTube by clicking the subscribe button below.

It took me probably too long to finally get a lawyer when my work comp claim started and I had no idea what I should do. I read reviews and upon recommendation of several people started the process of getting a lawyer. I am fortunate and lucky to have come across Perkins Studdard. Jason and his team has taken care of me since the moment I first called them and made sure any and all questions I had were answered as well as working hard to get me my settlement so I can continue receiving treatment. If you're looking for a good law firm to represent you in your worker's compensation case I would highly highly recommend this one.Autumn Fields
I highly recommend Perkins Law Firm. Throughout the whole process Perkins team kept me updated and explained everything very well. I am very pleased with their work. You will not be disappointed!!trina flornce
Mr. Perkins and team...Tina* they have all been so awesome. Always available to talk to me with any concerns. Kept me informed on my case all the way. Greatly appreciated!Missy Cherry
Amazing! Jason and his team were very helpful and had the best communication by far. Walked me though every step with great detail and had answers for any question I had. They handled my case better then I could imagine, it was a weird case and they stayed on top of it and kept me updated every step of the way! Highly recommend this Team! Thanks so much to Jason and his Awesome team! -BrittneyBrittney-lee orourke
This law firm is very good at what it does the staff and the lawyer's that were involved with my case all were very perfesional and curious I couldn't ask for a better law firm I want to thank everyone for a great job thanks Les RyanLeslie Ryan
I absolutely love this group of attorneys, when I was at my lowest they did everything they could to help me get justice for my injury. I believe if I were to have never picked my phone up and called the amazing group that helped me I definitely would not have received my idea of rights. If you have an issue and are just not sure please understand that they will help you, stay in contact, answer any question you have, and for sure get you the justice you deserve I thank them from the bottom of my heart and I will definitely refer them to anyone who has been hurt because they most definitely care about their work and clients.China Jones
The entire law office was attentive and responsive to all of my concerns dealing with my workers compensation case.Luv Locs
If you must get a lawyer involved, you’d do well to work with Jason Perkins and his team at Perkins Studdard Law. They were thorough in gathering information and in sharing all the steps in the workers comp process specific to my case. Jason and the team were responsive to my bevy of questions and concerns. I appreciated the informative videos and consultations provided by Jason over video meetings and multiple phone calls. I hope I’m never injured on the job again. However, if I am and if my employer responds as my previous employer did, I’ll contact Perkins Studdard Law immediately to handle the case.moombi
Everyone at Perkins Studdard was kind and professional. They were always extremely responsive and answered all questions that I had and followed up to make sure I had an understanding of what was going on along with emailing videos to explain every step of my case so I would know what to expect and be prepared. Jason is a very genuine person and I trusted him with my case. He answered so many questions for me even before I retained him as my WC lawyer. I highly recommend him and his associates at Perkins Studdard.Dana Bess
Great staff and very knowlegable. They treat you like family and work hard to get you what you need. Highly recommended.Josh Carter

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