Pay Without Prejudice Period
In some states, Workers’ Compensation Laws have instituted what is known as a “pay without prejudice period.” This rule applies after an individual has filed an initial claim for benefits. While the claim may be approved at first, and benefits may begin to be paid, the “pay without prejudice” period protects insurers as they continue to investigate and evaluate the claim by providing that, for the first 90 or 180 days after an injury, the worker’s benefits are provided without liability on the part of the insurer.
While this sounds complicated, it essentially means that the insurer will provide you benefits while it further investigates or evaluates your claim, but it may ultimately determine that your claim is not entitled to compensation or that the insurance company is not liable for medical payments.
Thus, in States that apply a “payment without prejudice” period, an employee many find that his or her payments are stopped or reduced during this period. If this happens, the insurance company must give its reasons for the change or denial and give the employee time to appeal. After the period expires, an insurance company must usually seek an order from the court in order to stop or reduce workers’ compensation benefits.
If you have experienced a workplace injury in Georgia, you may be interested to know that the “pay without prejudice” period does not apply in the State of Georgia. This can have several effects on your claim. It sometimes takes a bit longer for you to receive payment for your benefits, since the insurance company will be under greater pressure to accurately ensure its acceptance of your claim before beginning to provide benefits. This is because it cannot later claim that those benefits were provided “without liability.” It also means that the insurance company will not later stop or reduce your benefits due to a subsequent finding that your claim is not entitled to coverage. This is good news for workers who are hoping to rely on consistent monthly payments to cover their medical needs and living expenses.
However, it is important to note that this does not mean that you are permanently entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Instead, the duration and extent of your benefits will depend on the nature of your injury and how it progresses.
Discuss Your Work Injury With Us
As just this one aspect of Workers’ Compensation Law in Georgia illustrates, applying for Workers’ Compensation Benefits can be a confusing and overwhelming process. While you may have heard about the “pay without prejudice” period and its potential impacts on your workers’ compensation claim, it is important to understand that this is one issue that Georgia residents do not have to consider.
For one issue that does not have to be considered, there are many more that must be considered. It is through expertise, time, skill and having handled hundreds, if not thousands, of cases before yours that the Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at Julie A. Rice, Attorney at Law, & Affiliates have the experience needed to do the job that your case requires.
If you have additional questions about your claim, or how Workers’ Compensation Laws in Georgia may affect you, the Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at Julie A. Rice, Attorney at Law, & Affiliates are more than willing to help explain how this process unfolds for Georgia employees. To learn more and schedule a free, no obligation, initial consultation, please contact us at 770-865-8654, by email at juliericelaw@icloud.com or through our contact form on our website.
We assist injured individuals in communities throughout Fulton, Clayton, Gwinnett, Cobb, and DeKalb Counties, including Marietta, Decatur and Lawrenceville, Georgia, just to name a few. We look forward to helping you as well.