Filing a Workers' Comp Claim in Georgia
The deadlines to report a work injury and file a claim in Georgia, how to file, and how to appeal a denial.
Short answer: Report any accident immediately, and no later than 30 days after the accident, to your employer, the employer's representative, your foreman or immediate supervisor. Failing to do so may result in loss of benefits. O.C.G.A. § 34-9-81.1; State Board of Workers' Compensation, WC-Bill of Rights for the Injured Worker (rev. 07/2023)
| Deadline to report the injury | Report any accident immediately, and no later than 30 days after the accident, to your employer, the employer's representative, your foreman or immediate supervisor. Failing to do so may result in loss of benefits. |
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| Deadline to file a claim | File a claim (Form WC-14) with the State Board within one year from the date of the accident. If the employer paid for authorized medical treatment, the claim may be filed within one year after the last authorized medical treatment; if weekly income benefits were paid, within two years after the last weekly payment. Dependents of a worker who died must file within one year after the death. |
| How to file | Report the injury to your employer within 30 days. If your benefits are denied or not paid, file Form WC-14 with the State Board of Workers' Compensation to request a hearing. The Board can provide the form, which is also available on its website. A lawyer is not required to file a claim. |
| Appealing a denial | After a WC-14 hearing request, an Administrative Law Judge decides the claim, usually at a hearing held within 60 days, in or near the county where the injury happened. The ALJ's award can be appealed to the Board's Appellate Division (three-member board) within 20 days; the next step is Superior Court (within 20 days), and then a discretionary appeal to the Court of Appeals (within 30 days). |
| Filing or checking a claim online | In Georgia, report any on-the-job accident to your employer right away (waiting longer than 30 days may cost you benefits). To protect your rights you must file a claim within one year from the date of the accident by completing Form WC-14 and filing it with the State Board of Workers' Compensation, and send a copy to your employer and its workers' comp insurance carrier. Mail: State Board of Workers' Compensation, 270 Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30303-1299. Claims assistance: (404) 656-3818 (metro Atlanta) or (800) 533-0682, Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; insurer coverage desk 404-463-6794. |
Where to get help in Georgia
More Georgia workers' compensation
- How Much Workers' Comp Pays in Georgia
- Workers' Comp Settlements in Georgia
- Retaliation for Filing Workers' Comp in Georgia
- Suing Over a Work Injury in Georgia
- Appealing a Denied Workers' Comp Claim in Georgia
- All Georgia workers' compensation rules
FAQ
How long do you have to report a work injury in Georgia?
Report any accident immediately, and no later than 30 days after the accident, to your employer, the employer's representative, your foreman or immediate supervisor. Failing to do so may result in loss of benefits.
What is the deadline to file a workers' comp claim in Georgia?
File a claim (Form WC-14) with the State Board within one year from the date of the accident. If the employer paid for authorized medical treatment, the claim may be filed within one year after the last authorized medical treatment; if weekly income benefits were paid, within two years after the last weekly payment. Dependents of a worker who died must file within one year after the death.
How do you file a workers' comp claim in Georgia?
Report the injury to your employer within 30 days. If your benefits are denied or not paid, file Form WC-14 with the State Board of Workers' Compensation to request a hearing. The Board can provide the form, which is also available on its website. A lawyer is not required to file a claim.
How do you appeal a denied workers' comp claim in Georgia?
After a WC-14 hearing request, an Administrative Law Judge decides the claim, usually at a hearing held within 60 days, in or near the county where the injury happened. The ALJ's award can be appealed to the Board's Appellate Division (three-member board) within 20 days; the next step is Superior Court (within 20 days), and then a discretionary appeal to the Court of Appeals (within 30 days).
How do I file or check a workers' comp claim online in Georgia?
In Georgia, report any on-the-job accident to your employer right away (waiting longer than 30 days may cost you benefits). To protect your rights you must file a claim within one year from the date of the accident by completing Form WC-14 and filing it with the State Board of Workers' Compensation, and send a copy to your employer and its workers' comp insurance carrier. Mail: State Board of Workers' Compensation, 270 Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30303-1299. Claims assistance: (404) 656-3818 (metro Atlanta) or (800) 533-0682, Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; insurer coverage desk 404-463-6794.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.