Cumming Workers'
Compensation Lawyers

Exceptional Legal Representation for Georgia Work Injuries

Founded by Robert Bourne—a recognized expert in workers’ compensation law—our firm has helped thousands of injured Georgians secure the benefits they deserve. We work on a contingency fee basis with no upfront costs and cover all investigation expenses, so you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Insurance companies often take advantage of unrepresented workers by denying necessary medical treatment, reducing income benefits, and offering low settlements. Without experienced legal support, you risk missing out on the full benefits to which you are entitled. You deserve expert guidance to ensure you receive complete compensation for your injury.

We offer free, no obligation, consultations. Call 770-886-3030 now to get started.

Common Work Injuries and Accidents Handled By Bourne Law Firm

Cumming is a growing community with a wide range of industries – from construction sites and manufacturing plants to hospitals, schools, and office parks. Unfortunately, accidents can happen in any workplace. We regularly see local workers suffering from injuries that occur in all kinds of jobs. Some of the most common work-related injuries and accidents in Cumming include:

• Slips, Trips, and Falls: Wet floors, tripping hazards, or unstable ladders can cause employees to slip or fall. Falls often lead to sprained wrists, broken bones, knee injuries, or even serious head and back injuries. Whether it’s an office worker slipping in a hallway or a construction worker falling from scaffolding, these accidents are frequent and can be severe.

• Overexertion and Lifting Injuries: Many jobs require heavy lifting or repetitive physical effort. Nurses at Northside Hospital Forsyth, warehouse stockers, and construction laborers all risk back strains, herniated discs, and other muscle injuries from overexertion. Even a single improper lift can result in chronic back pain or hernias.

• Machinery and Equipment Accidents: In Cumming’s manufacturing and food processing facilities, workers use heavy machinery and power tools daily. Accidents with equipment can cause cuts, crushed limbs, or even amputations. For example, a factory worker might suffer a hand injury from a machine guard failure, or a landscaper could experience a severe laceration from a power saw.

• Workplace Vehicle Accidents: Employees who drive or operate vehicles as part of their job are at risk of crashes and collisions. Delivery drivers on GA-400, truck drivers passing through Forsyth County, or forklift operators in a warehouse could be involved in accidents. These incidents may result in whiplash, broken bones, head trauma, or other serious injuries on the job.

• Repetitive Motion Injuries: Not all work injuries happen in an instant – some develop over time. Repetitive tasks common in many jobs can lead to conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, or chronic joint pain. An administrative assistant typing all day or an assembly line worker repeating the same motion thousands of times can sustain gradual damage that eventually becomes debilitating.

• Exposure to Harmful Substances: Certain Cumming-area workplaces (such as industrial sites or labs) may expose workers to hazardous chemicals, loud noise, or other dangerous conditions. Long-term noise exposure can cause hearing loss, and inhaling toxic fumes or dust (for example, in a manufacturing plant) can lead to occupational illnesses like lung disease.

These are just a few examples of work injuries we see. No matter the cause – a sudden accident or cumulative trauma – the impact on your life can be significant. You might need extensive medical treatment and time away from work to recover. Georgia’s workers’ compensation system is designed to cover these injuries and help injured employees get back on their feet. In the next sections, we’ll discuss the benefits available and how to make a claim.

Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits

After a workplace injury, you’re entitled to specific benefits through workers’ compensation to help you heal and stay financially afloat. Georgia’s workers’ comp law provides several types of benefits for injured workers, including:

1. Medical Treatment Coverage: All necessary medical care for your work injury should be covered 100% by workers’ comp. This includes emergency room visits, doctor appointments, hospital stays, surgery, medications, physical therapy, and any other treatment you need. You do not pay co-pays or deductibles under workers’ comp. In Georgia, your employer is required to provide a list of approved doctors (a “panel of physicians” with at least six doctors) for you to choose from for treatment. As long as you see an authorized provider, the insurance must pay for your care, from initial first aid to long-term rehabilitation.

2. Weekly Wage Replacement (Disability Benefits): If your injury makes you unable to work temporarily, you can receive weekly income benefits to replace a portion of your lost wages. These are often called temporary disability benefits. In Georgia, this generally amounts to about two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a state-set maximum amount per week. For example, if you normally earn $600 a week, workers’ comp wage benefits would be roughly $400 per week. These checks help you pay bills while you’re out of work. If you can return to work on light duty for less pay, you may receive partial benefits to make up some of the difference in income.

3. Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Benefits: After you recover as much as possible, some injuries leave lasting damage or impairment. Georgia awards PPD benefits when an authorized doctor determines you have a permanent loss of function in a body part (such as a percentage loss of use of an arm, leg, back, etc.). PPD benefits are a form of compensation for that permanent impairment. The amount is calculated based on your impairment rating and the state’s schedule of injuries. While it’s a bit technical, essentially this provides you additional money for any lasting disabilities even if you’re able to return to work.

4. Vocational Rehabilitation: For very severe injuries (called “catastrophic” injuries in Georgia law), workers’ comp may also provide vocational rehabilitation services. This could include job retraining, education, or help finding a new line of work if you can’t go back to your old job due to your injury. The goal is to assist seriously injured workers in returning to gainful employment within their new physical limitations.

5. Death Benefits for Surviving Family: If a worker tragically dies due to a job-related injury or illness, the workers’ compensation system provides benefits to the surviving dependents. A spouse, children, or other dependents can receive weekly income benefits (similar to the wage replacement above) to help replace the deceased worker’s lost income. Georgia also provides a funeral and burial expense allowance. While we hope you never need this benefit, it’s an important protection for families of workers who suffer fatal workplace accidents.

These benefits ensure that injured workers get the medical care they need and don’t lose everything financially after a work accident. It’s important to note that workers’ compensation is a no-fault system – you can receive these benefits regardless of who caused the accident, as long as it happened in the course of your job. However, there are eligibility rules and procedures to follow, which we’ll cover next.

How Our Attorneys Can Help with Your Workplace Injury Claim

Dealing with a workers’ compensation claim can be confusing and frustrating – especially when you should be concentrating on your recovery. Our Cumming workers’ comp attorneys are here to make the process easier and fight for the benefits you’re entitled to. The Bourne Law Firm has dedicated our practice to helping injured workers, and we understand the tactics insurance companies sometimes use to delay or minimize claims. When you work with us, you get knowledgeable advocates who truly care about your well-being and the outcome of your case. Here are several ways our lawyers can assist with your workplace injury claim:

• Personalized Guidance and Answers: We start by listening to your story and answering all your questions. Our attorneys will explain your rights in plain language – for example, what benefits you should expect, how long the process might take, and what pitfalls to avoid. We know this is a stressful time, so we make it a point to be accessible and supportive. You’ll work directly with attorneys Robert and Elliot Bourne, not shuffled to a case manager. This personal touch means you get counsel tailored to your unique situation.

• Filing Claims and Paperwork: A successful workers’ comp case involves a lot of forms and deadlines. We handle all the paperwork on your behalf, making sure that claim forms (like the WC-14) are filed correctly and on time. If there are appeals or requests to be filed with the State Board, we take care of those as well. Our team ensures that every document is complete and submitted within the required timeframes, so you don’t accidentally miss a critical deadline that could jeopardize your benefits.

• Dealing with the Insurance Company: Once you have a lawyer, the workers’ comp insurance adjuster should communicate with us instead of pressuring you. We take over all correspondence and negotiations with the insurance company. Our attorneys make sure the insurer is providing the benefits you deserve. If your checks are late or medical treatment is being denied or delayed, we step in to address the issue immediately. We know the tactics insurers use – like giving injured workers the runaround or urging them to return to work too soon – and we won’t let them take advantage of you.

• Gathering Evidence to Strengthen Your Case: We assist in compiling all the evidence needed to prove your claim and maximize your benefits. This includes obtaining medical records, doctor’s reports, and independent medical evaluations if necessary. We’ll gather witness statements (for example, coworkers who saw your accident) and any incident reports or photos from the scene. By building a strong file with solid evidence, we put you in the best position whether it’s negotiating a settlement or arguing your case before a judge.

• Maximizing Your Benefits or Settlement: Our lawyers carefully calculate the benefits you are entitled to, including your average weekly wage (which determines your check amount) and any permanent disability ratings. This helps ensure that you’re not short-changed in what you receive. If a settlement of your claim is appropriate, we will negotiate aggressively to get you the maximum compensation possible. We have extensive experience valuing workers’ comp cases in Georgia, so we can advise you when a settlement offer is fair and when you deserve more. Our goal is to secure the financial support you need now and for any future complications from your injury.

• Representing You in Hearings or Appeals: If the insurance company denies your claim or an agreement can’t be reached, you have the right to a hearing in front of a Georgia workers’ compensation judge. Our attorneys are seasoned litigators who will represent you throughout any formal proceedings. We will present your case, cross-examine witnesses, and make legal arguments on your behalf. If necessary, we can appeal unfavorable decisions to higher levels of the State Board. Having a skilled lawyer by your side in court levels the playing field against the insurer’s attorneys.

At the Bourne Law Firm, we pride ourselves on combining professional expertise with genuine compassion. Being injured at work is difficult – it affects your health, your job, and your family. Our lawyers truly care about our clients’ futures. We take the time to check in on how you’re feeling and to keep you updated on your case progress. With over 30 years of experience in Georgia workers’ compensation law, we have the knowledge and dedication to handle any challenge that comes up in your claim. You don’t have to go through this alone. Let us fight for your rights while you focus on healing.