Georgia Workers'
Compensation Series
A comprehensive overview of Georgia Workers' Compensation law, including strategies for the handling of Georgia Workers' Compensation claims, Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation Forms and the benefits provided for through the statutory authority, rules promulgated by the State Board and how that authority has been explained or changed by caselaw. Through the strategic guidance offered by this course, you will be made aware of defenses available to Georgia employers and insurance carriers.
Compensation Series
A comprehensive overview of Georgia Workers' Compensation law, including strategies for the handling of Georgia Workers' Compensation claims, Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation Forms and the benefits provided for through the statutory authority, rules promulgated by the State Board and how that authority has been explained or changed by caselaw. Through the strategic guidance offered by this course, you will be made aware of defenses available to Georgia employers and insurance carriers.
Georgia Workers' Compensation Insurance System Overview
Learn the ins and outs of how insurance companies operate in Georgia. This module covers the technical aspects of insurance in Georgia including how insurance underwriters determine the premium employers pay and what factors drive up the cost of a workers' compensation insurance policy.
Legal Module 1: Statutory definitions, overview of benefits and procedures for payment and suspension
While many of the concepts of Worker's Compensation seem in common with other states, Georgia may differ in terms of specific statutory definitions. In this Course we will cover the specifics of who may be considered an employee, an employer, and what constitutes an injury under the Georgia Workers' Compensation act. We will evaluate how medical care and medical costs are controlled. We will discuss statutory benefits, calculation of impairment ratings and payment deadlines. Finally we will discuss defenses including willful misconduct, statutes of limitation and unique injury definitions.
Legal Module 2: Comprehensive review of Board Forms and filing requirements
Each state differs in the forms required. As Georgia is a form intensive state with specific filing deadlines, this course will cover the specific forms that the Claims Handler will encounter in their day-to-day practice. Special emphasis will be given to those forms with filing deadlines, those with penalty implications and those which might effectuate a waiver if not timely filed.
Legal Module 3: Return to Work, Issues and Strategies for effective Suspension of Benefits
While some states have deadlines and statutory schemes tied to maximum medical improvement, Georgia is a return to work state. Maximum medical improvement has almost no application in Georgia WC law. Suspension of income benefits must be accomplished with due regard paid to the forms that must be filed, the medical evidence to support that suspension and the way in which the benefits may be suspended. For an injured worker with ongoing restrictions, a simple return to work is translated to a cumbersome procedure that requires medical approval, notice to the employee and Board Forms which, if improperly handled, will invalidate any job offer and unnecessarily prolong the income benefits being paid. This course will focus on the strategies for returning injured workers to work in either full or limited duty capacity so that income benefits are suspended at the earliest possible opportunity.
Legal Module 4: Subrogation Recovery and the Subsequent Injury Trust Fund
With the expense of a worker's compensation claim seeming to be ever increasing, the employer and insurer must pay close attention to those opportunities for recovering the cost of claims. This course will focus on the recovery through subrogation actions and will include not only a discussion of the law and theory behind subrogation but also strategies for maximizing recovery by the Employer and Insurer as well as strategies for putting the Employer and Insurer in the driver's seat to control recovery by all parties including the claimant.
Legal Module 5: Change of Condition, New Accident, and The Employee's Entitlement to Income Benefits After a Termination for Cause
When an injured worker returns to work for the same or a different employer and experiences additional problems related to his injuries, the question often arises as to whether the employee's current problems should be properly viewed as a function of the old injury, an aggravation attributable to a new accident date or a specific new injury. This Course will explain the difference between "change of condition", "new accident" and "fictional new accident". The course will also offer strategy pointers for shifting liability to a new employer or insurance carrier as well as defending against similar attempts by another employer.
Legal Module 6: Georgia Workers' Compensation Legal Update
This live or recorded Webinar provides updated information on recent developments in Georgia Law. This will include statutory updates from the Georgia General Assembly, Regulatory changes in the Rules from the State Board and Caselaw updates. Significant decisions from the Appellate Division of the State Board of Worker's Compensation may be included so that Claims Handlers are made aware of the Board's position regarding certain topics, significant issues or developing theories before those cases are ever heard by the Georgia Court of Appeals or Supreme Court.
Learn the ins and outs of how insurance companies operate in Georgia. This module covers the technical aspects of insurance in Georgia including how insurance underwriters determine the premium employers pay and what factors drive up the cost of a workers' compensation insurance policy.
Legal Module 1: Statutory definitions, overview of benefits and procedures for payment and suspension
While many of the concepts of Worker's Compensation seem in common with other states, Georgia may differ in terms of specific statutory definitions. In this Course we will cover the specifics of who may be considered an employee, an employer, and what constitutes an injury under the Georgia Workers' Compensation act. We will evaluate how medical care and medical costs are controlled. We will discuss statutory benefits, calculation of impairment ratings and payment deadlines. Finally we will discuss defenses including willful misconduct, statutes of limitation and unique injury definitions.
Legal Module 2: Comprehensive review of Board Forms and filing requirements
Each state differs in the forms required. As Georgia is a form intensive state with specific filing deadlines, this course will cover the specific forms that the Claims Handler will encounter in their day-to-day practice. Special emphasis will be given to those forms with filing deadlines, those with penalty implications and those which might effectuate a waiver if not timely filed.
Legal Module 3: Return to Work, Issues and Strategies for effective Suspension of Benefits
While some states have deadlines and statutory schemes tied to maximum medical improvement, Georgia is a return to work state. Maximum medical improvement has almost no application in Georgia WC law. Suspension of income benefits must be accomplished with due regard paid to the forms that must be filed, the medical evidence to support that suspension and the way in which the benefits may be suspended. For an injured worker with ongoing restrictions, a simple return to work is translated to a cumbersome procedure that requires medical approval, notice to the employee and Board Forms which, if improperly handled, will invalidate any job offer and unnecessarily prolong the income benefits being paid. This course will focus on the strategies for returning injured workers to work in either full or limited duty capacity so that income benefits are suspended at the earliest possible opportunity.
Legal Module 4: Subrogation Recovery and the Subsequent Injury Trust Fund
With the expense of a worker's compensation claim seeming to be ever increasing, the employer and insurer must pay close attention to those opportunities for recovering the cost of claims. This course will focus on the recovery through subrogation actions and will include not only a discussion of the law and theory behind subrogation but also strategies for maximizing recovery by the Employer and Insurer as well as strategies for putting the Employer and Insurer in the driver's seat to control recovery by all parties including the claimant.
Legal Module 5: Change of Condition, New Accident, and The Employee's Entitlement to Income Benefits After a Termination for Cause
When an injured worker returns to work for the same or a different employer and experiences additional problems related to his injuries, the question often arises as to whether the employee's current problems should be properly viewed as a function of the old injury, an aggravation attributable to a new accident date or a specific new injury. This Course will explain the difference between "change of condition", "new accident" and "fictional new accident". The course will also offer strategy pointers for shifting liability to a new employer or insurance carrier as well as defending against similar attempts by another employer.
Legal Module 6: Georgia Workers' Compensation Legal Update
This live or recorded Webinar provides updated information on recent developments in Georgia Law. This will include statutory updates from the Georgia General Assembly, Regulatory changes in the Rules from the State Board and Caselaw updates. Significant decisions from the Appellate Division of the State Board of Worker's Compensation may be included so that Claims Handlers are made aware of the Board's position regarding certain topics, significant issues or developing theories before those cases are ever heard by the Georgia Court of Appeals or Supreme Court.
Our Attorney Partner
SKEDSVOLD & WHITE, LLC
Kevin Skedsvold has been practicing law since 1988 with a focus on defense of Employers/Insurers in the area of workers compensation claims.
During his years of practice, Kevin has lectured on topics related to insurance defense, workers compensation law and ethics.
Admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Georgia and Georgia Court of Appeals (1988). Education: Augusta College (B.A.); Georgia State University School of Law (J.D.). Member: Atlanta Bar Association (International Transactions and Litigation Section), American Bar Association, State Bar of Georgia (Member, Insurance and Workers' Compensation Sections), International Law Society.
The firms efforts on the clients behalf are always aggressive, professional and ethical. Aggressive actions are always mindful of the client interests and reputation in the community and before the Courts in the State of Georgia. Too often, law firms confuse aggressive tactics with intelligent litigation. "Pit bull" tactics are not the right answer to every question. Aggressive tactics, unchecked by constant resort to ethical behavior and client interests, do not serve the client's interests and may in fact be counterproductive.
For more information please visit the Web Site, below, or call 770-392-8610.
