When you or a loved one faces a severe injury that requires lifetime medical support, you deserve lifetime benefits.
Many workers’ compensation benefits expire after some time, but under Georgia’s workers’ compensation law, a catastrophic injury entitles you to income and medical benefits for as long as you are alive. Knowing the complexities and nuances of the law is our expertise, and we will ensure you are informed, supported, and rewarded with a fair lifetime claim. Severe injuries requiring lifetime care often include head trauma. Reach out to a head and brain injuries lawyer for help with such cases.
The term catastrophic denotes a serious event with significant consequences. For Georgia workers’ compensation, catastrophic is equally as serious as it means entitlement of income and medical benefits for as long as the injured employee is alive. For a case to be catastrophically designated, your injury must be so severe you can no longer return to work in any capacity within the United States. These injuries generally include the loss of arms or legs, severe burn victims, blindness, and severe head and spinal injuries.
With significant rehabilitation, you may be able to learn new skills and return to some type of work in the future. The law does recognize that a change for the better is possible, but you need the right legal counsel to ensure they acknowledge this and will fairly compensate you for specific medical needs.
If a Georgia claim is catastrophic, you are entitled to lifetime income and medical care, including durable medical equipment, specialized doctors, and medication. You may also be entitled to housing modifications, transportation, and vocational rehabilitation. Your employer and insurance carrier may have input on a rehabilitation nurse to help with the facilitation of these benefits, but it is important to understand that these nurses are paid by the insurance company and it is sometimes questionable where their loyalties reside.
Severe work-related injuries require expert legal counsel to ensure that all of your rights are protected. Our attorneys have handled catastrophically designated claims since we began practicing in 2005. We have experience with trusted rehabilitation nurses and the life care plans you need to maintain your highest quality of life.
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
These case studies are not meant to promise or guarantee a certain or similar result, but rather to demonstrate the legal attention and work ethic our attorneys assert in our cases. Every case is different and is fact sensitive. Certain facts can greatly influence and determine a client’s award, outcome, and recovery. Injuries to the back and neck are common, but trauma to the head may require assistance from a head and brain injuries attorney for specialized claims.
Back Strain
An employee worked for a manufacturer of outdoor power products in Middle Georgia. His job required him to pull pallets of material across the work area. As a result, he experienced a back strain. The manufacturer denied the claim and contested his need for medical care. Ramos & Law was able to secure helpful diagnostic scans and meaningful medical care for the injured worker. After a few months of litigation, the parties reached a settlement of $65,000 with a complete resolution of all outstanding medical bills.
Foot Injury
An employee was stocking heavy merchandise for a large retailer in Columbus, Georgia. During the course of her job duties, a stocking cart of the merchandise fell on her right foot and great toe. The national retailer directed her to its company doctors but she received very little relief. The attorneys at Ramos & Law were able to navigate her medical care to more qualified doctors where she received a better overall results. As she reached maximum medical improvement, the large retailer settled the claim for over $100,000 and paid for all of her past medical treatment.
Failed Back Syndrome
An employee was working part-time for a large automotive parts store. The employee fell off a ladder injuring his teeth, neck, ribs, and low back. After exhausting conservative medical care, physical therapy, injection regimens, and medication, it became clear that this injured employee required the need for spinal surgery. While the insurance company fought the surgery, Ramos & Law was able to force the insurance company into paying for the surgery and associated therapies including the implant of a spinal cord stimulator. Given the severity of the injury, Ramos & Law was able to refer the client to a federal disability benefit specialist who assisted him in securing Social Security. This part-time employee settled his case for $185,000 plus almost $300,000 in future medical care.
Low Back Herniations
A pediatric physician injured his back while assisting a child off an examining room table. As a result, the physician herniated several discs in his spine which also triggered depressive mental episodes. While the insurance company denied medical coverage for his numerous symptoms, Ramos & Law was able to secure quality medical care for the employee including orthopedic care, psychiatric treatment, a spinal cord stimulator, and physical therapy. Additionally, the employee received on-going income benefits at the maximum workers' compensation rate. At the end of the case, the matter settled for a figure close to $250,000 in addition to payment of previous medical bills.
Shoulder Injury
An employee at a beverage maker in Atlanta was stocking heavy cases of merchandise when she felt severe neck and shoulder pain. It was revealed that she suffered a torn rotator cuff. While the beverage maker initially denied her medical care, Ramos & Law was able to convince the employer to approve her treatment plan and accept the case. After months attempting to return to work, it was clear that the employer was not able to accommodate her medical limitations. As a result, the case settled for $115,000, along with all her medical bills being paid.
Severe Burn
A part-time grocery employee fell into a tub of “degreaser” that caused severe third degree burns over his torso and buttocks region. The employee required immediate medical care and several weeks in the intensive care unit within the local burn center. The costs of the care reached in the millions of dollars. While the grocery store denied liability for the accident, the attorneys at Ramos & Law were able to secure a settlement of $250,000 in addition to the employer’s acknowledgment to pay for all past medical bills.