Georgia Releases Updated Workers’ Compensation Bill of Rights

Employers covered by the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Law must now post the revised Workers’ Compensation Bill of Rights summary. Released by the State Board of Workers’ Compensation, the summary includes new compensation benefit amounts increased by enacted H.B 818. Starting July 1, 2016, an employer must pay a weekly benefit equal to two-thirds of the employee’s average weekly wage but not more than $575 per week for a work injury that is temporarily total. When the injury is partial in character and temporary in quality, the employer must pay a weekly benefit equal to two-thirds of the difference between the average weekly wage before the injury and the average weekly wage the employee is able to earn thereafter, but not more than $383 per week. For a surviving spouse with no other dependent, the total compensation is not more $230,000.

The Workers’ Compensation Bill of Rights summary has also been updated with information on lifetime medical benefits. If all injuries occurred on or before June 30, 2013 an employee may be entitled to lifetime medical benefits. For injuries on or after July 1, 2013, medical treatments will be limited to a maximum of 400 weeks from the date of the accident. If the injury is catastrophic in nature, the employee may be entitled to lifetime medical benefits.

According to the State Board of Workers’ Compensation website, employers have until October 1, 2016 to start using the revised summary. Covered employers may purchase the updated Georgia All-On-One^TM Labor Law Poster or the Georgia 2016 Workers’ Compensation Bill of Rights Peel ‘N Post^TM to stay compliant.