Ramos Law Firm Workers' Comp Blog » State Board of Workers’ Compensation

Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Teleconference Initiative

Bryan Ramos — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:49:05 +0000

In an effort to “expedite” the resolution of certain issues, the State Board of Workers’ Compensation has recently implemented a “conference call” vehicle to assist injured workers and insurers.

Essentially, attorneys may call the Board and request a conference call with the presiding administrative law judge (ALJ) assigned to the claim. If there is no ALJ assigned to the case, the State Board of Workers’ Compensation will assign a case accordingly. These ALJ’s are empowered to address the resolution of medical issues or other claims that have NOT been “controverted” by the Employer/Insurer. The primary purpose of this vehicle is to reach an answer without an evidentiary hearing. The Board has included issues such as problems obtaining medication prescribed by the authorized treating physician; payment of unpaid medical bills; or accidental suspension of benefits. The Board also indicated that this conference call vehicle should NOT be used for change of physician requests or other issues where the submission of evidence is required.

If one party requests the conference call, the other party’s participation is mandatory unless otherwise excused by the presiding judge. Once the conference call is scheduled and the parties are notified via email to initiate the call, failure to participate may result in monetary penalties. The Board requires 24-hour prior notice and a valid reason to avoid potential sanctions. The workers’ compensation board “encourages” all parties to work together with the judge’s calendar.

It is the Ramos Law Firm’s hope that this new vehicle will assist injured workers’ in securing prompt medical treatment or resolution of a pending issue in his or her workers’ compensation claim.

Workers’ Compensation Claims in Georgia for 2009

Bryan Ramos — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 21:26:50 +0000

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 115,500 work accidents occurred in Georgia in 2009. These work injuries included workers in the private sector as well as government employees. Of the 115, 500 work injuries, approximately 27, 100 employees had to miss time from work. Additionally, another 23, 600 injured workers were placed on modified or restricted duty jobs.

The workers in the “service industry” appear to suffer more work accidents than other Georgia industries. In 2009, approximately 66,500 service workers reported on-the-job injuries. In contrast, the manufacturing industry recorded 13,500 reported cases. These manufacturing jobs included workers in the food and beverage industry; textiles; apparel; printing; and paper industries.

When a worker is injured on the job, he or she has two basic benefits (1) medical care and (2) weekly income payments. These benefits are dependent upon its relationship to the occupational accident. There is no “pain and suffering” awarded in workers’ compensation cases. However, the injured employee may be compensated for any permanent impairment he or she may receive based on the severity of the work injury.

If you have been hurt at work and believe you have the right to select your physician, please contact the Ramos Law Firm.

AIG agrees to pay $100 Million fine for violation of workers’ comp regulations

Bryan Ramos — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 04:55:36 +0000

The American Insurance Group Inc. has agreed to pay more than $100 million in fines and other penalties to resolve claims that the insurer violated workers’ compensation regulations. It agreed to pay about $46.5 million in additional taxes and assessments.

State regulators accused AIG of reporting the workers compensation premiums as general or commercial automobile liability premiums. Insurance regulators in all 50 states and the District of Columbia will split the $100 million in fines.

At the Ramos Law Firm, our attorneys have successfully recovered workers’ compensation benefits from AIG for its clients. If you’ve been injured on the job, contact us today at 404-355-3431.

Bryan Ramos Featured on Atlanta Bar’s Layman’s Lawyer Radio Show

Gail Bailey — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 05:02:30 +0000

On Saturday, December 11, 2010, Bryan Ramos was one of the featured workers’ compensation attorneys on the Atlanta Bar’s Layman’s Lawyer which airs on The Zone. Every week guest attorneys from different practice areas answer your questions.

If you missed the show we’ll have the full clip on here soon. Check back!

Bryan Ramos Teaches Workers’ Compensation at Clayton State University

admin — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:39:27 +0000

On June 24, 2010 Bryan Ramos will be a guest lecturer at Clayton State University. He will be teaching a class on Georgia Workers’ Compensation at 7:00 pm.

See the links below for the class material. This information will be available on our site indefinitely by searching “Clayton State”.

Course Material

Slide presentation (1 slide per page)

Slide presentation (6 slides per page)

Workers’ Compensation statistics

Bryan Ramos — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 03:25:07 +0000

In 2008, The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that almost 3.7 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses occurred on the job throughout the United States.

In Georgia, the State Board of Workers’ Compensation cited that over 35,550 weekly benefit claims were made. Over 121 thousand medical claims were made stemming from work-related accidents. The workers’ compensation board also reported that almost $600 million dollars of weekly benefits were paid in 2007 and almost $700 million dollars were spent on medical benefits.

If you have been injured on the job, it is important that your claim be counted and proper compensation be allowed under the law. Work place injuries may be the result of repetitive work duties or they may arise from sudden traumatic experiences. Proper reporting and representation are crucial in securing your claim and entitlement. Call the Ramos Law Firm now for your free consultation (404) 355-3431.

What benefits am I entitled to if my employer reduces my work hours and pay because of my workers’ compensation injury?

Bryan Ramos — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:03:20 +0000

When an employer reduces the injured employee’s hours or pay because of her workers’ compensation accident, the employer may be required to pay a portion of the difference between the average weekly wage before the accident and the average weekly wage after the accident. The difference in these wages would be taken at a 2/3 rate of pay. This is called temporary partial disability. These benefits are calculated on a weekly basis.

In many situations, the employer will not voluntarily commence these benefits to the injured worker. It is the injured worker’s responsibility to raise this issue with his or her employer.

The attorneys at the Ramos Law Firm understand this concept and have prosecuted many of these cases resulting in causal results for its clients. If you’ve been injured on the job and you are now making less money because of your work injury, please contact the attorneys at the Ramos Law Firm.

Update on the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation

Bryan Ramos — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:58:18 +0000

There will soon be a few changes to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation. Carolyn Hall, the current chairperson of the State Board of Workers’ Compensation, will be stepping down. It is widely suspected that Rick Thompson will be the new chairperson of the Board. The third member of the Board has not yet been named by Governor Sonny Perdue. The new appointments to the Board will likely change the attitude towards the injured workers in Georgia.

Additionally, Judge G. Alan Blackburn has ammounted that he will not seek re-election to the Court of Appeals. He will be leaving the bench no later than December 31, 2010, when his term expires. It has not been announced whether Governor Perdue will have the opportunity to appoint a replacement judge or allow the Georgia voters to decide in an election.

For more information, please contact Bryan Ramos.

What does “normal”, “full”, or “regular” duty really mean in my GA Workers’ Compensation claim?

Bryan Ramos — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:03:50 +0000

In the world of workers’ compensation, the terms “normal duty”, “full duy”, or “regular duty” work release has a significant effect on a work comp claim. Essentially, the normal duty release allows the employer to unilaterally suspend income benefits. In some cases, this regular duty release may give the employer the argument that no future treatment is warranted. In other words, the employer will argue that the work-related injury has resolved or that the hurt employee is “cured.” The Employer/Insurer will take the position that the hurt worker is back to “normal” as if the injury never occurred.

When a person is hurt at work and surgery or another invasive procedure is performed, a “cure” may be unlikely. Interestingly, an injured employee may be issued “permanent work restrictions” but also be released to “full duty”, “normal duty” , or “regular duty” work. This is a total ideological contradiction. How can an injured worker have permanent medical restrictions and also be back to normal?

These inconsistencies will often confuse the injured worker. Don’t be taken advantage of. The lawyers at the Ramos Law Firm can help you protect your rights. Our lawyers are dedicated to Georgia Workers’ Compensation. Call us now at 404-355-3431 for a free consultation.

Understanding Your Georgia Workers’ Compensation Claim

Bryan Ramos — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:42:11 +0000

When an employee files a workers’ compensation claim in Georgia, the process may become confusing, frustrating, and costly. Generally, the injured worker wants immediate medical care and income benefits because he or she got hurt on the job. The insurance company, on the other hand, wants to delay and investigate the matter to save as much money as possible. These opposing forces often cause a lot of heartache and anger.

After the workers’ compensation claim is filed, everyone begins speaking a different language. The insurance company and their lawyers use acronyms such as TTD, PPD, or MMI. The doctors will often throw terms around like MRI, CT, PT, or FCE. The judge may even mandate you to treat with something called an “orthopod”. Being on “workers’ compensation” is not easy and the injured employee did not ask to be hurt.

An injured worker should not go at it alone. The insurance companies have complex programs and systems designed to maximize the law to their benefit. Also, many insurance companies hire skilled lawyers who devote their entire lives to protecting these corporations. It is the classic “David v. Goliath” situation.

Who is protecting the injured worker? At the Ramos Law Firm, our attorneys can level the playing field for you. Our lawyers use their knowledge of the insurance defense practice to help workers hurt on the job. We have extensive trial experience, and we are ready to put it to work for you. For a free consultation, please contact us.