So you may have heard about people who received compensation for pain and suffering in
legal cases. However, that doesn’t work in Workman’s Comp claims. Workman’s Comp only pays for economic losses. This means you will not be able to receive a settlement for pain and suffering or other non-economic damages. Our firm wants you to be informed regarding what types of compensation you may be entitled to for your workplace injury or illness.
Understanding the Difference Between Economic & Non-Economic Damages
1. Economic (Special) Damages
Economic damage are fairly easy to calculate. They include:
Past, present, and expected future medical bills
Lost wages
Temporary or permanent disability
Death benefits
Injured employees are entitled to compensation for all medical expenses. These include the full cost of treatments, prescriptions, hospital visits, doctor appointments, travel to medical appointments, and other expenses. In addition, compensation for lost wages is provided at the rate of 2/3 of your average weekly wage, with a maximum amount of $550 per week. Workers who have been injured may also be entitled to permanent disability benefits.
2. Non-Economic (General) Damages
Non-economic damages are difficult to calculate. They include:
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
Employees who are injured at work will not be able to receive compensation for non-economic damages. However, if your employer’s negligence or another person’s actions directly caused your injuries, you may file a third-party liability claim. This may allow you to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.The state of Georgia uses a no-fault workers’ compensation system. This means you don’t have to prove the fault of your employer in order to seek compensation. However, if you file a third-party liability claim, you will need to use evidence to prove the fault of the other party.
Ben Winter, P.A. focuses its practice in the areas of Social Security Disability and Workers Compensation in St Petersburg, Florida. For more information, go to our web site www.benwinterlaw.com or call (727) 822-0100.