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Ramos Law Firm provides dinner to Genesis Shelter

In an effort to assist the homeless population in downtown Atlanta, the Ramos Law Firm provided dinner to the residents of the Genesis Shelter on June 29, 2009.  The Genesis Shelter aims to provide an environment that allows homeless newborns to grow and develop in a nurturing and healthy surrounding. The Shelter enables homeless families to remain together during tough times.

According to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, over 75,000 Georgians experienced homelessness in 2008.  “In this devastating economy, our community must pull together and do whatever we can to help,” stated Bryan Ramos, a workers’ compensation attorney at the Ramos Law Firm. “Providing a simple dinner to a group of families can go a long way.  Being homeless is hopefully a temporary situation.  If our firm can assist in one step of the process, we are all the better.”  Ramos continued.  The Genesis Shelter provides many services to assist families such as a counseling, child development, and after-care programs.

For more information on how you can contribute, please visit www.genesisshelter.com.

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Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Featured On Radio Show

On June 25, 2009, Bryan Ramos and Adriana Sola Capifali were featured on channel 890 “Poderosa” to discuss workers’ compensation issues particular to the Hispanic worker.  The Georgia attorneys were interviewed “live” and fielded questions from listeners.  The lawyers discussed matters including the medical treatment for injuries to a worker’s neck, hands, back, arms, and legs.  Additionally, the issues of mental health counseling, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder were analyzed as a part of an industrial accident claim for benefits.

According to Bryan Ramos, “the workers’ health is the most important aspect of the claim.  It is critical that the workers receive quality medical care to make them whole again if possible.” The lawyers also handled questions about weekly income benefits, wages, and formulation of the workers’ compensation rate.  The legal question of a worker’s death and dependent benefits were also answered as many Hispanic workers have dangerous occupations and job duties. The entire interview was conducted in Spanish.

The Poderosa is a newly formed radio station with roots in Puerto Rico.  The Poderosa station is broadcasting with 5000 watts of power that reaches towns such as Acworth, Carrollton, Dallas, as well as the traditional Greater-Atlanta counties.
For more information, please contact the Ramos Law Firm.

State Employees are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits

It is not surprising that the largest employer of Georgia workers is the State of Georgia itself.  The State of Georgia has dozens of agencies from the State Accounting Office to the Department of Transportation.  Under the workers’ compensation code, state workers are included as eligible employees for benefits should they be injured on the job.

Not unlike any other injured worker, the state employee who is injured on the job, either by a traumatic accident such as a prison guard being attacked by an inmate or by a repetitive or cumulative motion injury such as carpal tunnel syndrome that a clerical assistant or worker at the State Personnel Office may incur, may be entitled to weekly benefits and medical treatment.  The threshold questions are (1) whether the worker was in fact an employee of the State, and (2) whether the accident arose out of and in the course of employment. The answers to both questions must be “yes.”
As another general example, should an officer with the Georgia State Patrol be injured as a result of a car accident when chasing a criminal or shot in the line of duty, the officer would be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.  Specifically, he or she would be entitled to weekly income benefits should he or she miss time from work as well as medical treatment relating to the injuries sustained in the accident.  Furthermore, in the event the injured officer may need mental health counseling for depression or post-traumatic stress, the psychiatric or psychological sessions would also be covered, provided that the officer also had physical injuries.
The state workers or employees can receive up to 400 weeks of income benefits under the law in certain circumstances.  Also, the state worker would be eligible for life-time medical treatment for the injuries he or she sustained while on the job.  However, the authorized treating physician must document the continued treatment was causally related to the workers’ compensation injury.  Lastly, the state employee may be entitled to compensation for any permanent loss of use or impairment.  The value of the permanent impairment depends on the severity of the injury, the physician’s evaluation of the loss of use, and the state worker’s compensation rate as determined by the workers’ compensation law.
If you have any questions about state workers’ rights under the Workers’ Compensation Act in Georgia, contact Bryan Ramos at the Ramos Law Firm.
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Attorneys Contribute Time In Educating Latino Community About Workers’ Compensation Rights

In conjunction with the Georgia State Bar and the YLD’s Minorities In the Profession Committee, the Ramos Law Firm organized and presented “Law Day” to the Latin American Association in Atlanta, Georgia on June 27, 2009. The event was designed to provide an educational forum to spread awareness in the Latino community about their legal rights. Bryan Ramos, the founder and principal of the Ramos Law Firm, presented a seminar on the “Essential Elements of Workers’ Compensation” which was aimed at the specific obstacles particular to the Hispanic worker. Other seminars covered areas including immigration, family, criminal, and consumer law. Additionally, representatives from the Atlanta Legal Aid, Injured Workers’ Pharmacy, Georgia Legal Services, and the Georgia Law Center for the Homeless participated in the event.

According to Adriana Sola Capifali, the event chairperson and workers’ compensation associate at the Ramos Law Firm, the participation was “ten times that of prior events.” Through these efforts, she hopes to further the mission of “representing Hispanic workers and preventing any unfair exploitation.” The attorneys at the Ramos Law Firm have handled hundreds of claims including spinal cord injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, knee and shoulder pain, amputation injuries, and neurological trauma.

The Latin American Association helps Latino families achieve their aspirations for their academic, social and economic development. The Association accomplishes this through direct programs and integrated community partnerships that focus on youth academic achievement, education and prevention, and services to families with urgent needs.

For more information, please contact Adriana Sola Capifali at the Ramos Law Firm.

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Make-A-Wish Foundation Recognizes The Ramos Law Firm

Since it’s Friday we thought we’d keep it light today.  At the Ramos Law Firm we like to promote community involvement and get involved ourselves.  Earlier this year several attorneys, staff members and their families participated in the Walk for Wishes to benefit Continue reading →

How Will I Receive Medical Treatment if My Workers’ Comp Claim is Controverted?

When the Employer/Insurer “controverts” or determines a workers’ compensation claim is not compensable, the Employer/Insurer will not pay for the injured Employee’s medical treatment. Consequently, the injured Employee will be responsible for finding a physician to treat with and for payment of his or her medical bills.  This determination does not Continue reading →

What Role Does Medical History Play in Workers’ Compensation Claims?

Most individuals enjoy a certain level of privacy regarding their medical history.  Most employees are weary about sharing intimate details about their medical history with the employer/insurer; however, pursuant to O.C.G.A. 34-9-207, the employer/insurer may be entitled to this information.

In a Georgia workers’ compensation claim Continue reading →

What is the value of my workers’ compensation case?

A common question that the Atlanta attorneys of the Ramos Law Firm are asked is “how much is my case worth?”  While there is no amount of money that could fully compensate an injured worker for the pain and heartache she experiences, the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act provides a framework to consider.

First, it is important to consider the injured workers’ Continue reading →

What happens at a workers’ comp hearing?

As the injured worker is not entitled to a jury trial, she is entitled to an evidentiary hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ).  The hearing is also known as a bench trial.  It is also known as the ” employee’s day in court”.

At the hearing, the judge will generally request information from the parties of the pending case.  During this time Continue reading →

When is the Right Time to Settle My Workers’ Comp Case?

In our Georgia workers’ compensation practice, injured workers often ask, “when is the right time to settle my workers’ compensation claim?”   As the workers’ compensation scheme pays for medical treatment, it is often recommended that you Continue reading →