According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, in April 2017, a construction worker was killed by a driver who may have been under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

The driver of the car plowed into a construction site on I-20 in the early morning hours of a Friday morning. Prior to the workplace accident, the driver drove his Honda Civic onto the emergency lane. The driver then hit the construction crew members working between the exit ramp for Ga. 61 and the interstate.

One construction worker was pronounced dead at the accident scene. Two construction workers were taken to an Atlanta-area hospital. One was taken to the hospital by air. The other worker taken by ambulance. The fourth member of the construction crew was treated at Tanner Medical Center in Villa Rica, then released.

The driver was taken to the hospital also. Police suspected the driver was impaired at the time of the accident. They did not confirm whether the driver was under the influence of drugs, alcohol or another substance.

The report did not include the type of injuries the three construction workers sustained or information on workers’ compensation availability.

Explanation of Atlanta Workers’ Compensation

In Atlanta, a worker involved in a workplace accident is eligible for medical, rehabilitation and income benefits from the workers’ compensation insurance carrier. Workers’ compensation is an insurance program employers pay into to cover their employees’ injury. Employees hurt on the job can receive benefits regardless of who caused the injury.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Atlanta

Depending on the nature of the injury, an injured employee may receive one of the basic income benefits:

• Temporary Partial Disability Benefits: pays two-thirds the difference between the employee’s average weekly paycheck before and after the injury. The employee receives the weekly payment for up to 350 weeks.
• Permanent Partial Disability: pays weekly to an employee who sustained an on-the-job injury that caused permanent impairment.
• Temporary Total Disability Benefits: pays weekly approximately two-thirds of an employee’s average weekly wage. The limit is $575 each week depending on the date of injury. The money is paid to an employee with an on-the-job injury that prevents them from returning to work. For a non-catastrophic injury, an employee’s benefits are limited to 400 weeks. Benefits for a catastrophic injury are unlimited.
• Medical Benefits: medical and rehabilitation treatment are covered too. All treatment must be administered by a doctor approved by workers’ compensation. The only exception to the rule is emergency medical treatment.

On-the-job injuries that causes an employee’s death is also covered. The benefits are paid to the employee’s spouse and/or minor children. The benefits are payable approximately two-thirds of the employee’s weekly average paycheck at the time of the injury. The maximum is $575 a week depending on the date of injury or death. Workers’ compensation will also pay the family about $7,500 to cover funeral expenses.

Contact The Cochran Firm Atlanta about Your Workers’ Compensation Claim

In Atlanta, not every employee eligible for workers’ compensation such as permanent disability receives it. This means you need a tough, focused lawyer to fight for your benefits. Contact The Cochran Firm Atlanta. We are ready to fight for and win your workers’ compensation benefits. Contact us today.