Lawrenceville, GA asked in Workers' Compensation for Georgia

Q: I work for a state agency. I fell in the office building's hallway.

An ambulance was dispatched, and surgery was performed. After more than half of the year, I am still in pain and need to continue receiving doctor's care. Do I have a basis for a law suit?

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T. Augustus Claus
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Answered

A: In Georgia, if you were injured while on the job, you may be eligible for workers' compensation benefits, which can include medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages. Workers' compensation is designed to provide benefits without requiring you to prove negligence on the part of your employer. However, it also generally prohibits employees from suing their employer for workplace injuries.

If your injury was due to a hazard in the building that was caused by the negligence of a third party (such as a building owner, if different from your employer), you may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit against that third party. To establish a strong personal injury claim, you would generally need to prove that the third party was negligent, and that their negligence led directly to your injury.

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