Workplace injuries can turn your life upside down in an instant. Whether it’s a back injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, or spinal cord injury, understanding your rights is crucial to receiving the compensation benefits you deserve. In Georgia, one of the most critical tools in determining your workers’ compensation settlement is the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Settlement Chart.
This chart isn’t just numbers, it directly influences how much compensation settlements injured employees may receive based on permanent impairment. If you’re an injured worker in Georgia, here’s what you need to know about this important resource.
What Is Workers’ Compensation in Georgia?
Georgia’s compensation program is a no-fault insurance system designed to provide medical care, wage replacement, and partial disability benefits for workers injured on the job. Whether you suffer from minor injuries or severe injuries, you’re typically eligible for benefits such as:
- Medical expenses (including physical therapy, hospital stays, and medications)
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
- Death benefits and burial expenses
The settlement chart is especially important when it comes to PPD benefits, compensation for permanent disability resulting from your work-related injuries.
What Is the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Settlement Chart?
The settlement chart assigns a specific number of weeks of benefits to different body parts. For example: These settlement amounts are calculated using your impairment rating, assigned after you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI).
How PPD Compensation Is Calculated
The formula for calculating comp benefits using the chart is:
(Impairment %) × (Max weeks per body part) × (Weekly compensation rate)
Example:
- 20% permanent impairment to the leg
- Weekly wage benefit: $675 (Georgia’s 2024 max)
- Leg worth: 225 weeks
➡ 0.20 × 225 = 45 weeks
➡ 45 × $675 = $30,375 in compensation settlement
Factors That Influence Workers’ Comp Settlement Amounts
Although the comp settlement chart provides a foundation, multiple factors affect your actual compensation settlement amounts, including:
- Impairment rating (based on AMA Guides)
- Weekly wages and time missed from work
- Medical costs and future long-term care needs
- Vocational limitations or job changes
- Your age, skills, and potential for retraining
Types of Compensation Settlements in Georgia
Georgia recognizes several workers compensation settlements:
- Liability Settlements – The insurance company accepts the claim and pays full compensation benefits.
- No-Liability Settlements – The insurer denies the claim but offers a lump sum payment.
- Structured Settlements – Compensation is paid over time instead of all at once.
Most cases result in a lump sum settlement after a disability rating is issued.
Common Injuries Covered by the Settlement Chart
The chart applies to a variety of physical impairments, including:
- Knee injuries or meniscus tears
- Shoulder injuries and rotator cuff damage
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Spinal cord injury or chronic back pain
- Loss of vision or hearing
- Amputation of finger injuries
After Receiving Your Impairment Rating
Once MMI is reached, your treating physician will assign an impairment rating. This rating is key to calculating compensation settlements. While some workers settle before the rating is issued, doing so may affect the maximum compensation available for your injury.
Should You Accept the First Settlement Offer?
It’s common for the insurance company to offer low settlement values early on. But those offers may not cover:
- Future medical care
- Ongoing care needs
- The true impact of your partial disability
To receive a fair settlement, it’s critical to negotiate or consult with a compensation lawyer or experienced attorney.
Why You Need Legal Help
The claims process is filled with legal and medical complexities. A knowledgeable compensation attorney can help with:
- Evaluating average settlements based on your type of injury
- Challenging an inaccurate impairment rating
- Ensuring all medical records and costs are included
- Navigating negotiations with the comp insurance company
Having an experienced lawyer on your side ensures you receive the maximum compensation you’re entitled to.
The Chart Is Just One Piece of the Puzzle
The Georgia Workers’ Compensation Settlement Chart helps structure your claim, but every case involves a variety of factors. A comp claim should reflect not just your injury,but how it affects your ability to work, live, and recover.
Need Help With Your Workers’ Comp Settlement?
Ted Law Firm is here to guide injured workers through the process. If you’re unsure what your claim is really worth or how to deal with the insurance company, our team can help you secure a fair settlement and fight for the compensation benefits you’re owed. We proudly serve clients across all of South Carolina and Georgia including Atlanta. No matter where you are in either state, we’re here to help. And remember: you don’t pay a dime unless we win your case.
Contact Ted Law Firm today for personalized, meaningful advice on your workers comp case.
Attorney Ted Sink, founder of The Ted Law Firm, is a Yale, Stanford Business School, and Charleston School of Law graduate and former marketing executive who built a 7-figure law practice, earning millions for his clients. With experience in both law and advertising, Ted has been recognized in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the ABA Journal. He speaks at industry conferences on marketing and law firm management, sharing insights from his unique background to help other firms grow. When not working, Ted enjoys traveling, diving, and dog-sitting golden retrievers.
