Workplace Injuries are a common part of many daily lives in Georgia from construction workers to manufacture employees. Learn about how to protect yourself from work accidents and injuries and promote a safer working environment.

1. Georgia Workplace
Injuries
What Workers Need To Know…

2. The Right to a Safe Workplace
Americans are guaranteed the
right to a safe workplace by
federal law. Yet every year,
thousands of workers are
injured, sometimes fatally, while
on the job. At the very least,
workers expect compensation
for their injuries and their loss of
income should they suffer a
workplace injury.
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3. What is a Workplace Injury?
Any injury that you receive
while on the job is
considered a workplace
injury. This includes injuries
that occur at the actual job
location, such as an office
building or warehouse, as
well as injuries that are
sustained while traveling or
working remotely.
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4. Common Sectors For Georgia
Workplace Injuries/Fatalities
• Construction - In 2014, the leading cause for construction fatalities in
Georgia was falling, slipping and tripping.
• Manufacturing - Along with natural resources and mining,
manufacturing had the second highest rate of workplace fatalities in
Georgia.
• Transportation, Trade and Utilities - This sector, along with
construction, had the highest number of on-the-job fatalities in Georgia
in 2014.
• Oil and Gas (Natural Resources and Mining) - Every year, a number of
Georgia workplace injuries and fatalities occur in the natural resources
and mining sector.
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5. Common Workplace Accidents
in Georgia
• Transporting - Transportation accidents were the leading cause (around 40
percent) of workplace fatalities in Georgia in 2014. These accidents occur
while moving goods or services to another location.
• Workplace Violence - Violence (and injuries caused by other persons and
animals) was the second leading cause of on-the-job fatalities in Georgia.
• Falls - Falls, slips and trips were the third leading cause of workplace fatalities
in Georgia.
• Being Struck By or Against An Object - Contact with objects and equipment
was the fourth leading cause of workplace fatalities in Georgia.
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6. Common Types of Workplace Injuries
Workers sustain many different kinds
of workplace injuries. Here are just a
few examples:
• Cuts and Lacerations
• Broken Bones
• Loss of Limbs
• Organ Damage
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Burns
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Back Injuries
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7. Who is at Risk?
• Fatigued workers - Overworked or tired workers present a hazard in the workplace. This is
especially true for workers who use heavy machinery or frequently drive on the job.
• Workers who operate heavy machinery - Working with heavy equipment can be especially
dangerous for those without the proper training or experience. This includes workers in
manufacturing, construction or food processing, for example.
• Workers who frequently work on scaffolding - Scaffolding collapses are a major concern
for workers, especially in industries like construction. Falling from a scaffold can lead to
catastrophic injuries (spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries) and death.
• Workers who transport goods - Transportation is consistently a leading cause of injury and
death in the workplace. This means that transportation workers (e.g., truck drivers) and
workers who transport goods in other sectors are especially at risk for on-the-job injuries.
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8. Workers’ Compensation Laws In
Georgia
• Businesses with three or more employees are required to
have workers’ compensation insurance.
• Workers are entitled to coverage beginning on the very first
day of their job.
• While most workers will be eligible to receive workers’ comp,
exceptions include domestic workers, people who work for
businesses with less than three employees, some
government employees and independent contractors (see
next slide for more on contractors and workers’
compensation).
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9. Independent Contractors and
Workplace Injuries
One of the perks of being an
“employee” is that employers
will generally offer you some
form of compensation for on-
the-job injuries. By contrast,
independent contractors face
much greater risk should they
sustain a workplace injury.
However, even contractors
might eligible for workers’
compensation if they can prove
that they are, in fact, an
employee.
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10. Proving a “Contractor” is an
Employee
Even if an employer considers someone a contractor, that worker might still be able to
prove that they are actually an employee. If a worker answers’ yes’ to some of these
questions, they might be legally considered an employee:
• Does the worker perform their job in the same workplace as their employer?
• Does the worker use equipment provided by the employer?
• Does the worker depend solely, or mostly, on the income from one particular
employer?
• Is the worker’s contribution essential to the offerings of the company that hires them?
• Was the employer responsible for training the worker for their job?
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11. Third-Party Injury Claims
In addition to seeking payment
from an employer, an injured
worker can also file a claim
against those whose
negligence caused the injury.
This is known as a third-party
injury claim. Unlike workers’
compensation claims, third-
party injury claims must be
based on the fault of another
party.
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12. Temporary and Permanent
Disability
While some workplace injuries are minor and require little
time off from work, more serious injuries can leave workers
disabled. Temporary disability benefits are given to
employees who suffer a diminished work capacity but can still
perform some job responsibilities. Permanent disability
benefits are given to workers whose injuries lead to a
complete loss of work capacity.
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13. Tips For Improving Workplace
Safety
• Ensure that all employees are well
rested. Fatigued workers are a
hazard to themselves and to
coworkers.
• Always make sure that work
equipment is properly maintained
and inspected for safety.
• Ensure that employees are properly
trained for their jobs and the
equipment they are using.
• Keep a workplace clean and free of
clutter.
• Repair loose or broken flooring.
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14. What To Do After a Workplace
Injury?
• Inform your employer or supervisor of the incident immediately,
preferably in writing.
• Consult a medical professional to evaluate and treat your injuries.
• Keep a copy of all correspondence with your employer, doctors and
any other relevant parties that pertains to your workplace injury.
• Take notes on your treatment, care and recovery.
• Consult with an attorney to make sure you have representation.
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15. Have You Been Injured in a
Workplace Accident?
If you have been injured in a workplace accident in
Georgia, David Mann can help. David has
represented many injured workers to make sure
that they are treated fairly and that they receive the
compensation that they deserve. Contact the
Georgia workplace injury attorneys at the Mann
Law firm for a
free consultation.
http://www.manninjurylaw.com