How Often Do Workers Compensation Checks Get Paid?
Your employer’s workers compensation insurance company pays checks when you are out of work because of your injury. But, many people have questions about when these workers compensation checks will start and how often they will get paid. Some of the frequent questions I get asked are:
Does the insurance company pay checks at the same frequency that you receive paychecks from your employer?
Will you always get your workers compensation check on the same day of the week?
How long does the insurance company have before they pay you the first check?
The answers to these questions are very important. You depend on workers compensation when you get hurt and cannot work. These checks support you and your family while you recover from your injury. In this article, I will address these questions and some others that people have about workers compensation checks.
How long does the insurance company have to start my checks?
In Georgia workers compensation cases, the insurance company has 21 days from the date you become disabled to start paying you checks for your lost wages. This time period was put into place to give the insurance company time to investigate your case before starting your checks.
Nothing requires the insurance company to wait the full 21 days. Sometimes, they will start paying checks sooner.
Also, insurance companies sometimes take more than 21 days to start paying checks. If they take more than 21 days, they should owe late penalties on your checks when they issue them.
Do I get paid for all dates I am out of work?
Not necessarily. Georgia has a one week waiting period. This means you do not get paid for your first week out of work.
The insurance company does have to go back and pay you for the first week out of work if you miss three consecutive weeks out of work at some point. So, many people do end up getting paid for the waiting period if their injury keeps them out of work for at least a few weeks.
How often does the workers compensation insurance company pay checks?
Georgia’s workers compensation law requires the insurance company to issue your checks weekly. Even if your paychecks from your employer were on a different schedule, the insurance company should be sending your workers compensation checks weekly.
I have seen situations where checks were sent every two weeks before. If this is happening, you can contact the insurance company to make them send the checks weekly.
Will I always get my checks on the same day of the week?
No. The law does not require insurance companies to issue checks on a certain day. It only requires them to issue and mail your check before a certain time. When the insurance company has to mail the check depends on whether they are sending your check from Georgia or somewhere else.
How is my workers compensation check amount determined?
Your workers compensation check amount is based on your lost wages. But, workers compensation does not pay you your full lost wages. It pays two-thirds of your lost wages.
Your check amount can change. There are two main reasons your check amount might change.
The insurance company did not calculate your average weekly wage correctly
Sometimes, the insurance company calculates your check amount incorrectly. If this happens, you or an attorney representing you can get the insurance company to correct the check amount. If this happens, you should get backpaid for any underpayment in benefits once the amount is correct.
You go back to work at a light duty job but you are making less money than you were before you got hurt
A Form WC-104 is filed and kicks in and your check is reduced to temporary partial disability
Any time your check amount changes you will want to know why it changed. I see many situations where the insurance company changes check amounts incorrectly.
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
Navigating Georgia’s workers’ compensation system can be a daunting task, leaving you with numerous questions and uncertainties. If you find yourself in this situation, we strongly encourage you to seek clarification and find the answers you need. Perkins Studdard is here to help you through this process and provide the support you deserve.