Making a claim for workers comp benefits

There are numerous ways that an employee can incur an on-the-job injury, and sometimes these occupational injuries can be devastating ones (or "catastrophic" as they are named). Work injuries include occupational diseases or illnesses as well as other physical maladies. No matter how you incurred the injury on the job, you are entitled to workers comp benefits. You must take certain steps when filing your claim, the first of which is filling out a Form WC-14 and sending it in.

What is the Workers Compensation Form WC-14?

According to the Georgia Government’s State Board of Workers Compensation, the WC-14 is entitled "Notice of Claim/Request for Hearing/Request for Mediation" and is the first step in the filing process for any of those three. It involves divulging your personal information and other pertinent content relative to why you are filing a workers compensation claim as well as why you are requesting either a hearing or mediation.

This involves filing for a motion for what is called an interlocutory order and requesting a hearing or mediation or by filing for a request for additional medical treatment or a change of physician. Additionally, a Form WC-108 needs to be filed with the Georgia State Workman’s Compensation Board prior to your request or in conjunction with it. You will not be set for mediation without this form and an attorney fee contract on file.

Other considerations when filing

The form discussed above where completing the proper paperwork for a workers comp claim, hearing, or mediation is actually the 3rd step in the process. There are two prior steps that should be taken prior to filing your claim or requesting a hearing or mediation. Here are those 2 steps as well as the step after the WC-14:

When you have had an accident on the job and/or have been injured, the first step is to report the accident and resulting injury immediately, no matter how minor you think it might be.

Ask your employer to see and then check out the approved list of physicians or managed care providers and select one that you feel comfortable with. You are required to choose one off the approved list.

Fill out the paperwork (see above section).

Contact an experienced workers compensation attorney to assist you with your claim even though this is not required by law. It is always recommended that you pursue legal advice.