How Long Does It Take to Settle a Workers’ Comp Claim?

If you’ve been injured on the job, you’re very likely facing serious medical expenses and lost earnings, which makes the question of “When will workers’ comp offer a settlement?” especially pressing.

While your claim will be unique to the circumstances surrounding the accident that injured you, some timeline basics apply across the board. One factor that can make a significant difference in ensuring that you settle your workers’ compensation claim as effectively and efficiently as possible is working closely with an experienced Northern Georgia workers’ compensation attorney from the outset.

Contact the workers’ compensation lawyers at Weaver Law Firm now for a free claim review and discussion of your best options.

Differences Between Workers’ Comp and Personal Injury Claims

If you are hurt in an accident that someone else’s negligence caused, such as in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, you will file your personal injury claim with the at-fault motorist’s car insurance provider to seek compensation for the damages you’ve suffered.

A workers’ comp claim, on the other hand, is not based on negligence. Workers’ compensation claims are intended to protect both the employee and the employer by allowing the injured employee to seek necessary compensation without proving the employer’s negligence and protecting the employer from burdensome lawsuits in the process.

How Long Does a Workers’ Comp Case Take to Settle?

Very generally, it takes workers’ comp Georgia workers’ compensation settlements from between several weeks (a rare occurrence) to about two years for successful negotiation.

While there are several things you can do to help ensure that your claim proceeds as quickly as possible, the most critical point to keep in mind is that it’s much more important to receive benefits that cover all your losses than it is to impose an artificial end date and rush the process.

What Factors Affect the Average Time to Settle a Workers’ Comp Case?

The things that every employee who has been injured on the job can do to help bolster and speed up their claims include:

• Seek the medical attention you need as soon after the accident as possible.
• Let your boss, employer, and/or supervisor know about your work-related injuries as soon as you are able to do so.
• Carefully follow your medical teams’ instructions and advice.

Common Delays for Workers’ Comp Cases

While your workers’ compensation claim processes, several factors commonly cause delays in the settlement check timeline, including:

• Either your employer or your employer’s insurance company disputes your claim.
• Your impairment rating (the rating that signifies the seriousness of your injuries) is in question, which often translates to the need for a second medical opinion.
• The length of time it will take you to reach your maximum medical improvement is disputed. This makes it challenging to obtain just compensation until this matter resolves.

If you can’t reach a resolution with the insurance company involved, you have the right to challenge its opinion on the matter at hand and request a hearing, which will naturally extend the processing time.

Reach out to Our Experienced Georgia Workers’ Comp Attorneys Today

The accomplished workers’ compensation attorneys at Weaver Law Firm – proudly serving all of Northern Georgia, with convenient locations in both Gainesville and Cumming – dedicate their practice to skillfully helping accident victims like you successfully resolve their workers’ compensation claims on time and on the money.

For more information, please don’t wait to contact us today.