If an employee is injured on the job in Georgia, the business should take the following steps:
- Get Medical Assistance: The employer should first provide necessary medical assistance to the injured employee. If the injury is severe, then the employer should call emergency services to get the injured employee to a hospital or medical facility.
- Report the Injury: The employer must report the injury to the Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation (SBWC) within 21 days by filing the First Report of Injury. If the employer is an uninsured employer, then it should report the injury to the SBWC within 7 days.
- Investigate the Injury: The employer should investigate the injury to find out the cause and any contributing factors. This investigation will help prevent future incidents.
- Provide Wage Replacement Benefits: The employer should provide the injured employee with wage replacement benefits if they are unable to work because of the injury. These benefits are paid through workers' compensation insurance.
- Offer Light-Duty: If the injured employee can work but cannot perform their regular job, the employer must offer light-duty work that is consistent with the employee's medical restrictions.
If the employer does not follow these steps, it may face penalties or fines.
It's important to note that Georgia law requires employers with three or more employees to carry workers' compensation insurance. However, some employers may be exempt from this requirement based on their industry or size.
If there is any dispute about the employee's injury, the employer should seek legal advice from a licensed attorney.
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