New Georgia Law Limits Worker’s Compensation Medical Treatment to 400 Weeks

New Georgia law (Georgia House Bill 154) passed on April 1, 2013 limits treatment in Georgia workers compensation cases to 400 weeks unless the injury is designated a catastrophic injury.  Traditionally injured workers in Georgia were allowed to receive medical treatment for life as long as the treatment was related to the compensable on the job injury and needed.

Atlanta workers compensation lawyer Richard Griffin of the Griffin Law Firm is very concerned about the negative impact this change in Georgia law will have on injured workers who are not unable to work, but who still need on going treatment for permanent injuries.  I have seen many, many workers comp claimants that can work light duty jobs, but that have a severe back injury, brain injury, joint injury, RSD Syndrome, or other serious condition that requires treatment for life.  This new would shift Georgia law shifts the burden of future medical treatment to the injured worker who often can’t afford this required treatment.. This new limitation on medical treatment also will reduce the settlement value of many Georgia workers comp claims since it reduces the insurance company’s exposure to future medical treatment as well.

This new law does not change life time workers comp medical coverage for catastrophic injuries.  However, to qualify for catastrophic, an injured worker must have an injury that includes one of the following:

1. spinal injury causing severe paralysis
2. amputation of the hand, arm, foot, or leg
3. traumatic brain injury
4. 2nd or 3rd degree burns over 25% of the claimant’s body
5. total blindness
6. any severe injury that prevents the injured worker from performing any job in the U.S. economy that he or she is qualified to work.

For a free workers compensation claim consultation call the Griffin Law Firm at 877-PAIN-LAW (877-724-6529) .