You are now receiving weekly workers’ compensation benefits, but how do you know the payment amount is correct?
In Georgia, those who miss time from work due to a job injury are to receive two-thirds of the weekly pay, up to a maximum set by law. While the formula is a decent starting point to determining what to expect, there are a few extra factors to consider.
Seasonal Employees
If you’re a teacher or have another job that changes seasonally, it could affect the way your previous wages are calculated.
Service Industry Employees
Many service industry employees count on regular tips as a vital source of income. This type of inconsistent pay can complicate the formula, particularly if the employees doesn’t regularly declare that income. However, it should still be included for workers’ compensation purposes if the amount of tips can be determined.
Those with Multiple Jobs
Sometimes, an extra job is essential to making ends meet. If you hold multiple jobs and are injured at one of them, your claim might not be as straightforward. Will both jobs be counted toward your weekly payment? Sometimes they will, and sometimes they won’t. An attorney can help to answer these types of questions depending on the facts of your particular situation.
Overtime
Workers’ Compensation payments are calculated according to the 13 weeks’ wages prior to the injury. Your employer is supposed to submit all information regarding wages to the insurance company. Since overtime hours aren’t always consistent, a lot depends on the circumstances of those specific weeks. If you were injured during an especially busy time at work, you need to be sure that the employer included any overtime in the calculations.
Other Forms of Compensation
Often, employers will cover miscellaneous work-related expenses such as lodging or rent. Because these types of compensation can make a big difference, they need to be factored into the formula for Workers’ Compensation. However, employers and insurers often do not include this unless your attorney provides them the necessary information
Although these may seem like minor considerations, even small discrepancies can add up over time. It’s important to cover all your bases in a process as complicated as a Workers’ Compensation claim, but an attorney can help. Contact the experts at Perkins Studdard for a free consultation.
