The Five Things I Would Most Like to Change About the Georgia Workers' Comp System
Last Updated: 11/12/2025 | Written by Robert Bourne (Partner)
Attorney Robert Bourne examines five critical areas for reform in Georgia workers' compensation law, exploring how legislative changes, administrative rules, and case law shape the rights of injured workers and employers.
Five Critical Areas for Workers' Comp Reform
Attorney Robert Bourne identifies five key areas where Georgia’s workers’ compensation system could better serve injured workers and employers:
- Medical care access: Improving how workers get needed treatment
- Benefit fairness: Ensuring injured workers receive appropriate compensation
- Fraud prevention balance: Protecting legitimate claims while stopping abuse
- Administrative authority: Clarifying the State Board’s rule-making power
- Case law consistency: Achieving predictable outcomes at the trial level
This seminar paper examines how legislative changes, administrative rules, and court decisions shape these critical areas.
Overview
Purpose of This Analysis
Attorney Robert Bourne analyzes Georgia’s Workers’ Compensation system to identify areas needing reform. Drawing from decades of experience in workers’ comp law, this paper focuses on changes that could benefit both injured workers and employers.
The analysis examines how laws evolve and impact real cases. It looks at what works, what doesn’t, and what could be better.
Historical Context
The Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act was enacted in 1920. Since then, it has undergone extensive amendments.
This paper explores how three mechanisms shape workers’ comp law:
- Legislative amendments - Changes to the Workers’ Compensation Act by the General Assembly
- Administrative rules - Regulations created by the State Board of Workers’ Compensation
- Case law - Decisions from Georgia’s Court of Appeals and Supreme Court
How These Mechanisms Work Together
Each mechanism plays a distinct role. The legislature sets the foundational rules. The State Board creates detailed regulations. Courts interpret how laws apply to specific cases.
Understanding this interaction is crucial. It helps explain why some claims succeed while others fail.
Workers’ comp law constantly evolves through legislation, regulations, and court decisions. Changes in any of these areas can significantly impact your rights as an injured worker or your obligations as an employer.
Key Themes
Fundamental Questions About Fairness
This paper addresses critical questions about the workers’ compensation system. These questions affect everyone involved in workplace injuries.
The central issues include:
- How current laws impact injured workers’ ability to get medical care
- Whether workers receive benefits that truly replace their lost income
- How the system prevents fraud without denying legitimate claims
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The Five Things I Would Most Like to Change About the Georgia Workers' Compensation System
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Download PDFAbout the Author
Robert Bourne’s Background
Robert Bourne is a seasoned workers’ compensation attorney. He has extensive experience representing injured workers in Georgia.
His practice focuses on helping workers navigate the complex system. The goal is to secure the benefits and medical care they deserve.
Unique Perspective on Reform
Through years of practice, Robert has developed deep insights. He understands both the strengths and weaknesses of the current system.
This experience makes him uniquely qualified to propose reforms. He sees daily how the law impacts real people’s lives.
This paper reflects real-world experience from hundreds of workers’ compensation cases. The proposed reforms address problems that injured workers actually face, not theoretical concerns.
Why This Matters
Impact on Different Stakeholders
Understanding potential areas for reform is crucial. The current system affects everyone involved in workplace injuries.
Each stakeholder group has different concerns and needs. Reform must balance these competing interests.
For Injured Workers
Workers need to understand their rights. They also need to know the limitations of current protections.
Key concerns include:
- Medical care access - Whether you can get treatment when you need it
- Benefit adequacy - Whether benefits truly replace your lost income
- Claim processing - How long it takes to receive benefits
- Legal representation - When you need an attorney to protect your rights
Contributing to Positive Change
This paper contributes to the ongoing dialogue. It examines how Georgia’s workers’ compensation system can evolve.
The goal is to better serve all stakeholders. At the same time, the system must maintain its core purpose.
The Core Purpose
Workers’ compensation exists to provide two things:
- Prompt medical care for workplace injuries
- Income replacement while workers recover
These goals sometimes conflict with other system objectives. Finding the right balance requires thoughtful reform.
When the workers’ comp system fails, real people suffer. Workers can’t get needed medical care. Families lose income. Employers face higher costs. Reform isn’t just about legal theory—it’s about helping people.
Injured at Work? Get Experienced Legal Help
If you've been injured at work and need guidance navigating Georgia's workers' compensation system, our experienced attorneys can help. We understand the challenges you face and fight to get you the benefits and medical care you deserve. Free consultation—no fees unless we win.