Worker's Compensation FAQ

The Law Offices of Gary O. Bruce have much experience and have had much success in representing clients injured in workplace accidents. Those hurt on the job are forced into an unfamiliar system known as “worker's compensation.”  As with any insurance situation, the insurance adjustor is not looking out for you.  You need an experienced attorney to guide you through the process and make sure your best interests are protected.  

At the Law Offices of Gary O. Bruce, P.C, our primary focus in representing an injured worker is to provide diligent, aggressive representation to make sure you are treated fairly by the insurance company. Our goal is to maximize your recovery through settlement or, if necessary, trial. 

Oftentimes, our clients ask us some of the following, routine questions regarding the worker’s compensation system:

Does my employer have worker's compensation insurance?

Under Georgia law, if your employer employs three or more employees, he/she is required to have workers' compensation insurance and provide its benefits to all full-time and regular part-time employees who are hurt on the job. 

I've been hurt in an accident on the job. What do I do next?

If you have been injured in a workplace accident, or while you are on the job, you must inform your employer of the injury at once. This can be done either verbally or in writing. Seek medical attention for your injuries immediately after the accident, then contact a lawyer from our firm to go over the circumstances surrounding your accident, so that we can advise you on your legal options and help you determine how best to proceed.

How is a workers' comp claim started?

Your employer should provide you with the forms you will need to file your claim. However, sometimes, employers are more interested in their own bottom line. If you have been injured in a workplace accident we advise you consult with a lawyer at our firm, so that we can discuss the appropriate course of action with you. 

But my workplace accident was not my employer's fault. Can I still file a claim for workers' compensation?

Georgia law entitles an injured worker to worker’s compensation benefits even when the workplace accident was not the employer's fault. In some instances, you may have an additional claim for personal injury against a third-party wrongdoer in addition to your worker’s compensation claim against your employer’s insurer.  Further, you may be able to file for worker’s comp benefits even if the accident was your fault. No matter the circumstances, it is always best to consult with an attorney at our firm who can review your case and advise you on the best course of action to pursue.

Let the GOOD GUYS handle your worker’s compensation case today.

No one asks to be injured on the job.  It puts a strain on your professional, financial, and family situations.  Workplace injuries leave someone who worked hard before their injury faced with an uncertain future, huge medical bills, confusing laws, and the stress accompanying an injury. 

The insurance companies know that the lawyers at the Law Offices of Gary O. Bruce vigorously represent their clients in worker’s compensation matters with a “no nonsense” attitude. If you or a loved one has been injured on the job, contact the Law Offices of Gary O. Bruce today for a free consultation about your case. There are strict time limits in worker’s compensation claims, so call our office today.

The Contingency Fee - What Is It?

The contingency fee is a type of attorney fee whereby payment of the attorney is contingent on the result of the case. It is the most common if not exclusive method of paying an attorney in a personal injury case involving an automobile wreck, slip and and fall, or dog bite case.

The contingency fee is a percentage based arrangement whereby the attorney is paid a percentage of the total settlement once the case settles or a verdict is rendered. This benefits the client -- particularly the client who cannot pay an attorney a large retainer up front or high amount per hour--because the attorney can take the case and receive payment at a later date. The interests of the client and attorney are aligned in this scenario.

Contrary to what many "tort reformers" would have you believe, the contingency fee discourages litigation because the plaintiff's attorney for the injured party has no incentive to prolong litigation or file a lawsuit without basis. This has been confirmed by numerous economists and academics who have closely examined the subject.

Indeed, these studies confirm that the only attorneys who file "frivolous lawsuits" or extend litigation unnecessarily are those that bill by the hour.

If you have been hurt in a wreck, had an accident at a business, or otherwise been injured, contact the Law Offices of Gary Bruce for a free consultation regarding your potential case.