How Do You File for Workers’ Compensation in Georgia?

If a worker is injured during work hours while they are performing designated job duties, he or she should be covered under workers’ compensation, an accident insurance program paid for by employers.

Workers’ compensation benefits typically cover lost wages, medical care and rehabilitation, but in cases of severe injury it may pay for far more. For example, workers who sustain catastrophic injuries on the job might receive long-term disability benefits.

They may also receive money for job retraining if their injuries prevent them from returning to the same career. Families could even be entitled death benefits if a loved one dies from injuries sustained at work.

Before Filing Workers’ Compensation

The first step any worker should take after being injured on the job is to report his or her injury to the employer. It is vital to report the injury as soon as possible and with as much detail as possible. After reporting the injury, an injured worker should ask his or her employer for a list of approved doctors and make an appointment.

Seeking medical treatment as quickly as possible is recommended because untreated injuries could worsen with time and potentially become irreversible. Having your injuries documented by an approved panel physician may also be vital for workers’ comp claim approval.

Attempting to file a claim weeks or months after the alleged injury can be extremely difficult, especially when there’s no official injury documentation. The workers’ comp insurance company or your employer may have legitimate doubts about the source and severity of your injury. If you were injured at work, why didn’t you report the injury? If the injury was serious enough to justify claiming workers’ comp benefits, why didn’t you see a doctor?

You can avoid those problems by reporting the injury immediately and seeking medical attention.  

Filing Workers’ Compensation

An injured worker needs to fill out a WC-14 Form. It is important to fill out the WC-14 Form as accurately as possible with full names, addresses and other information, such as a detailed description of the injury and the desired benefits.

The form should state whether the worker wants a hearing/mediation or if he or she simply wishes to inform the SBWC (State Board of Workers’ Compensation) of the claim.

When filing the workers’ compensation claim, the employee should retrieve all documentation that is relevant to the injury, including things like medical bills and pharmacy receipts. The worker will also need earnings/wage statements to help calculate lost wages.

The injured worker can file the claim with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation by mail or in person. Additional copies of the forms should be sent to the employer and their workers’ compensation insurance carrier.

After Filing Workers’ Compensation

After an injured worker files the workers’ comp claim, the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier will notify him or her either of claim approval or denial.

If the desired workers’ compensation benefits are approved, it is crucial that the injured worker stays on top of their rehabilitation plan. They should complete all physical therapy or occupational therapy and any medical treatments ordered by their doctor.

If the worker fails to receive the recommended rehabilitation services or medical treatments, he or she may become ineligible for some or all of their workers’ compensation benefits.

Those who wish to remain eligible for workers’ compensation must return to work when their doctor decides they are able.

Claim approval isn’t necessarily a victory, especially when the compensation falls short of what you believe you’ll need to make a full recovery. If you believe the claim payment offered by the workers’ comp insurance company is inadequate to meet your needs, consider speaking with an Atlanta workers’ comp injury lawyer.

Workers’ Compensation Appeals in Atlanta



Injured workers can request a hearing from the State Board of Workers’ Compensation after a claim denial or an unsatisfactory claim settlement offer. Injured employees deserve to be fairly compensated for their financial losses and pain and suffering.

There are many experienced workers’ compensation lawyers in Georgia who fight for the rights of workers every day. ATL Elite only lists experienced and highly skilled lawyers in Georgia. Any injured workers who require help appealing a workers’ compensation decision should call one of the lawyers on our website.