• Georgia's workers' compensation lawsGeorgia state contour with Capital City against blurred USA flag image by Stasys Eidiejus from Fotolia.com
  
  Georgia's workers' compensation laws ensure an employee that suffers an occupational injury or illness will be medically and financially supported through her recovery. Benefits cover the most common workplace injuries an employee is likely to encounter.
  
  

Medical Benefits

• Workers' compensation insurance pays all medical expenses an employee accrues because of occupational injury or illness. There is an unlimited benefit for medical expenses.
  
  

Total Disability

• The employee may file a claim for this benefit seven days after the occupational injury or illness. If it lasts longer than 21 days, the employee will receive benefits for those seven days. Total disability pays at 66 2/3 percent of the employee's average weekly wage before the injury. There is a maximum benefit period of 400 weeks. There is an unlimited benefit period for catastrophic injuries.
  
  

Temporary Partial Disability

• When the employee can return to work in a limited capacity, such as fewer hours, his payment amount for this benefit is 66 2/3 percent of the difference between his average weekly wage before the injury, and his average weekly wage after the injury. The benefit period is a maximum of 350 weeks.
  
  

Permanent Partial Disability

• If an employee suffers permanent impairment to a limb or body part, she may qualify for this benefit. The benefit payment is 66 2/3 percent of the difference between the average weekly wages before the injury or illness, and the average weekly wage afterward. This benefit is subject to Georgia's weekly maximum for the permanent partial disability benefit at the filing date of the claim. Benefit period varies depending on the impaired body part and the degree of impairment.
  
  

Death Benefits

• The law provides compensation to the spouse and/or dependents of a worker who dies from an occupational injury or illness. Additionally, the law may cover burial expenses up to a maximum of $7,500. Benefit payment is two-thirds the employee's average weekly wage up to the state maximum at the time of filing the claim.