If you have just been involved in an on-the-job injury in Georgia, you are now likely thrown into an unfamiliar world with which you have very little control. You do not have a lot of time to attempt to gain control of your Georgia workers compensation claim, but if there are any hopes you should know the these five things:

1. Not all employers have to have workers compensation insurance coverage. Some employers are exempt from carrying insurance coverage. Several agricultural businesses are exempt from carrying workers compensation coverage. Some employers who have less than three employees are not required under Georgia law to maintain insurance coverage.

2. Not all doctors are the same under Georgia workers compensation. Some doctors will treat you more fair than others, if you can go to your doctor for treatment you will be much happier than if you are going to a doctor who has been working for years and receiving payment by the insurance company.

3. Settlement is completely voluntary for both parties. This often comes as a shock to my clients. This is only to say that you can not be forced into settling and you can not force the insurance company to settle.

4. A Judge will not make an insurance company settle. This goes along with number three, but many times I hear that my client would prefer to go to a hearing so the Judge will give them what they want money-wise. This is simply not true. In the same respect, a Judge can not make you settle.

5. You do not receive pain and suffering for a Georgia workers compensation injury. This includes payment for permanent scarring and or disfigurement. The original workers compensation laws were a product of the industrial revolution. As a result, the purpose was to provide the injured worker medical care and partial pay so he was not left out in the cold.

Now that you know these five things you may have a different feeling about your Georgia workers compensation claim. Every state is different so why these five items are applicable to the state of Georgia, they may not be applicable in your state. If you have questions you should contact a lawyer in the state where you were injured or made your contract to work and find out what your legal rights are and where the claim should be handled. These claims can be difficult, but with the right help you dramatically increase your possibilities of success.