Workers Compensation in Georgia
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Georgia requires employers with three or more employees to carry workers' compensation; injured workers must report injuries promptly and file claims within one year.
How Georgia treats Workers Compensation
Georgia mandates workers' compensation insurance for employers with three or more employees, with exemptions for sole proprietors, partners, and agricultural workers. Employees must report work injuries to their employer as soon as practicable and file a claim with the Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation within one year of the injury date. Benefits cover all reasonable and necessary medical treatment, temporary disability at two-thirds of the employee's average weekly wage, and permanent disability awards determined by the employee's impairment rating and work capacity. Georgia uses a schedule of body parts to calculate permanent partial disability benefits.
The general definition of Workers Compensation
Insurance that provides medical benefits and wage replacement to employees injured during work.
Workers compensation is a form of insurance that employers are required to carry to protect employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job. When an employee is hurt at work, workers compensation covers medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and a portion of lost wages while the employee recovers. In exchange, the employee generally gives up the right to sue the employer for the injury. The system is designed to provide quick, predictable benefits without the need for a lawsuit. Benefits vary by state and depend on the severity of the injury.
Read the full Workers Compensation entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Georgia.