Workers’ Compensation for Hartsfield-Jackson Employees: Navigating Injury Claims Occurring in the World’s Busiest Airport

a small commercial passenger jet parked on an airport runway surrounded by airport employees

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International is considered the busiest airport in the world, and it’s all thanks to the thousands of employees who keep it running from day to day. Unfortunately, the demands and complexities of airport work come with a higher risk of workplace injuries. Workers’ compensation benefits are designed to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and disabilities for injured employees. However, reporting and navigating the claims process can be more than challenging. In fact, it can be very frustrating and simply unfair. If you’re filing a workers’ comp claim or need assistance with an existing one, contact Ramos & Law for a free consultation.

Are Atlanta Airport Employees Eligible for Workers’ Compensation?

If you are an employee (and not an independent contractor) at a Georgia airport, you will likely be eligible to file for workers’ compensation if you have been injured on the job. This is true regardless of your immigration status or whether you work full-time, part-time, seasonally, or as a temporary worker. Even trainees and employees on “probation” may be eligible to file for workers’ compensation in Georgia if they have been injured at work.

What Are the Most Common Hazards Airport Workers Face?

As an airport employee, it’s important to be aware of the dangers that may be involved in performing your regular work duties. These include the following:

Musculoskeletal Injuries

Physically demanding tasks, such as lifting heavy luggage, operating machinery, pushing wheelchairs, or moving cargo, can lead to musculoskeletal injuries. These injuries commonly affect the spine (back or back), shoulders, arms, hands, and knees. These injuries can be from repetitive motions, overexertion, or awkward postures required to complete the jobs. Or they may occur “traumatically” or suddenly when the employee is lifting oversized or improperly packed items.

Burns

Burns can result from a variety of incidents, such as accidental contact with machinery or interaction with flammable materials like jet fuel. Electrical burns may also occur during maintenance or repair work involving high-voltage systems. The fast-paced nature of the airport environment leaves little room for error, making burns a frequent risk, especially if you work near high-heat or combustible materials.

Lacerations

Lacerations are common among airport workers handling sharp tools, malfunctioning equipment, or damaged luggage. These injuries can occur while loading and unloading cargo, operating machinery with sharp edges, or even during maintenance tasks. Broken glass or jagged metal from damaged containers further increases the risk of deep cuts, which may be serious enough to cause permanent disability.

Toxic Exposure

Using or being in close proximity to toxic substances, such as jet fuel, deicing chemicals, or industrial cleaning agents, is another hazard you may face in the course of your work. These chemicals can emit harmful fumes that, when inhaled, may cause respiratory problems, headaches, or long-term health complications such as organ damage. Accidental spills or skin contact can also result in immediate irritation, chemical burns, and other systemic health effects depending on the nature and concentration of the substance.

Extreme Temperatures

Working on the tarmac or in poorly insulated areas of the facility means that you may be exposed to extreme temperatures. Georgia’s heat is no joke, and prolonged exposure to the summer weather can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. On the opposite end of the spectrum, prolonged exposure to the cold during the winter may cause hypothermia.

Hearing Loss

Constant exposure to high levels of noise from jet engines, ground support equipment, and baggage handling machinery makes airport employees particularly vulnerable to hearing loss, both temporary and permanent. If you work on the tarmac or in areas near aircraft runways, you likely face some of the highest risks due to the consistent noise levels often exceeding safe thresholds.

What to Do If You Get Injured On the Job

If you’ve been injured on the job, you may be unsure of what to do or feel hesitant to tell others about your injury due to fear of repercussions. Below are the typical steps you’ll need to take to ensure a successful workers’ compensation claim. If you are feeling pressured or persuaded by your employer or a representative from their insurance company, call a workers’ compensation lawyer immediately.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Georgia workers’ compensation law allows injured employees to see a physician from an approved list or panel of doctors for initial treatment without cost to the employee. If there is no panel or list, then the injured worker may see any doctor of his or her choosing. If emergency treatment is necessary, this treatment should also be covered. If you are seriously injured at work, prioritize your health and safety by seeking immediate medical attention. Call for emergency services or go to the nearest hospital and on arrival, tell the hospital staff and medical professionals that the injury occurred at work.

Report the Injury to Your Employer

As soon as you’re able to do so, notify your supervisor or employer about your injury, ideally within the same shift or day it occurs. Timely reporting is critical, as Under Georgia workers’ compensation laws, you typically must file a report within 30 days from the date of the injury. If you fail to do so within this time frame, you may not be able to claim workers’ compensation benefits.

See a Doctor From Your Employer’s Panel of Physicians

The Employer is required to post a list of doctors (who are “pre-approved”) in a prominent place on the employer’s premises. If there is a panel and you were trained on the use and function of the “panel of physicians”, the injured employee is required to seek treatment through one of those pre-approved doctors. If there is no list or panel of physicians, the injured worker may see any doctor of her choosing. However, be aware the insurance company will contest the right to choose and will try almost anything to get the injured worker to a panel doctor.

Filing a Claim

The final step is to complete and submit a workers’ compensation claim form with the Georgia Board of Workers’ Compensation to initiate the process of receiving benefits. Once the claim is filed, the injured employee should hear from a representative from your employer’s insurance company to investigate your claim. Please be aware that this investigator or adjuster is tasked to gather information to deny your claim. Realistically, the insurance company is not there to help you.

What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Can Airport Employees Receive?

Some of the benefits you receive for your work-related injury may include:

  • Medical Coverage: In most cases, you will receive compensation for your medical expenses as they relate to your workplace injury. This includes ambulance transportation, hospital stays, urgent care visits, medication, diagnostics, and specialists’ appointments.
  • Disability: You may receive income benefits if you cannot work at all during your recovery or can only work reduced hours or duties. In the most severe cases, where you cannot return to work in any capacity, weekly indemnity benefits should be available to the injured worker.
  • Vocational Rehabilitation: If your catastrophic injury prevents you from returning to work permanently, workers’ compensation may cover the costs of job training, education, or placement services to find a position that fits your abilities and education level.
  • Death Benefits: If you are the surviving dependent of a loved one who died in a workplace accident, you may be able to receive benefits for your loss. This includes compensation for burial and funeral expenses and the income benefits as defined by the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act.

Speak With an Atlanta Workers’ Compensation Attorney at Ramos & Law

Workers’ compensation in Georgia is a powerful resource for airport employees. Unfortunately, there are times when errors, oversights, or poor communication complicate the process and prevent you from getting the compensation you deserve. If you feel that your claim has been unfairly denied or you’ve been offered an unreasonable settlement amount, the best investment you can make for your health and livelihood is hiring an experienced Georgia workers’ compensation lawyer. Ramos & Law will help you maximize your claim and get you the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve. For over 20 years, our firm has dedicated our work solely to helping injured workers. Contact us now for a free consultation.