Workers’ Compensation and Initial Authorized Medical Treatment in the Southeast
Aside from emergency medical treatment that may be required for a worker injured on the job, states in the southeast (SC, NC, AL, TN, FL, GA, MS and LA) have different rules regarding the initial authorized medical treatment for injured workers.
Communication within the Workers’ Compensation System
Communication is one of the most important aspects of a well-managed, successful workers’ compensation program. It is extremely important to establish good relationships with supervisors, employees, and medical providers both prior to and afte
Distinguishing Between Fictional New Accidents, Changes In Condition, And Super-Added Injuries
A recent decision from the Georgia Court of Appeals, ABF Freight Systems v. Presley, 330 Ga. App. 885 (2015), illustrates how difficult it can sometimes be to distinguish between fictional new accidents, changes in condition, and super-added in
Early Return to Work Program
Why Do I Need A Restricted Duty Job Program? Best Practices 1. Return injured employees to meaningful employment. 2. Utilize employees’ work skills during their period of partial disability. 3. Maintain a good employee attitude by providing me
Medical Marijuana: An Inevitability in Georgia Workers’ Compensation Claims?
Georgia law is clear that in the event that an injury is deemed compensable, the employer must provide the injured worker with medical treatment which is prescribed by a licensed physician, and which “shall be reasonably required and appear li
Drug-Free Workplace from Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation
About the program The Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation certifies employers as a drug-free workplace. Those certified receive a 7.5% reduction of their workers’ compensation premiums. Employer must submit a copy of their certifica
The Intoxication Defense in Georgia
Drugs and alcohol certainly have no place in a safe work environment. In fact, Georgia provides a discount on workers’ compensation insurance premiums for employers who participate in the Drug-Free Workplace program established by the Georgia
The Red Flags of Workers’ Compensation: 25 Warning Signs
The Red Flags of Workers’ Compensation: 25 Warning Signs 1. News of layoffs/termination/transfer. 2. Unwitnessed accident. 3. Accident reported after a holiday, weekend or vacation. 4. Short-term employee. 5. Lack of cooperation with medical s
The Ingress/Egress Rule and the Recent Bonner-Hill v. Southland Waste Systems Case
The general rule is that an injury that occurs when an employee is traveling to or from work is not compensable because the injury does not arise out of or in the course of employment. Mayor & Aldermen of Savannah v. Stevens, 278 Ga. App. 1
Spider Bite Myths
An employee reports to his supervisor that he has a swollen, round skin lesion on his knee. It must be a spider bite, right? Not so fast. An increasing body of research has revealed in recent years that spider bites are often misdiagnosed, espec