Workers’ Compensation Hip Injuries in Georgia
As an employee in the state of Georgia, you have workers’ compensation rights under state law if you get injured on the job. These rights include the ability to have your medical bills paid for and to receive temporary total disability payments to compensate you for the time you were required to be off work due to your work injury if this time period is over seven days.
In some cases, depending on the severity and permanent nature of the injury, you may be entitled to lifetime benefits. Even if you are not eligible for lifetime benefits, you may still be eligible for compensation for the permanent nature of your injuries, even if you are able to return to work.
Gearhart Law Group is Here to Help
If you recently suffered a hip injury at work, or any other type of injury while working, contact the Gearhart Law Group today. Gearhart Law Group is owned by workers’ compensation attorney Beth Gearhart who will fight for your legal rights to pursue the benefits and compensation that you deserve. Attorney Beth Gearhart has over two decades of experience handling workers’ compensation cases, with a proven track record of success. Schedule a free consultation by contacting the Gearhart Law Group at 404 445 8370.
Causes of Hip Injuries in the Workplace
Hip injuries in the workplace can be caused by many different factors. A worker might injure their hip in a slip and fall accident at work or may injure their hip through repetitive movements while performing their work duties. Hip injuries can also occur while using heavy-duty machinery at work or due to improper workplace conditions.
Hip Injuries and Your Diagnosis
There are a few different types of hip injuries, with some being more severe than others. Hip injuries that may be work-related include bursitis, hip fractures, tendinitis, hip labral tear, and impingement.
Bursitis is one type of hip injury that results from performing repetitive work duties. Bursitis is a condition where the sacs of liquid (called bursae) that are found between body tissue like muscles, bones, and tendons become inflamed. This inflammation causes pain in the hip area.
Another type of hip injury that can be work-related is a hip fracture. Hip fractures can occur due to falls at work and can be extremely painful.
Tendinitis is another form of a hip injury that may develop as a result of performing repetitive actions at work. Tendinitis is an inflammation of a tendon, which is a thick band of tissue that attaches bones to muscles.
Hip labral tears can also occur at work. The labrum is a ring of cartilage that cushions your hip joint and works as a rubber seal that helps to hold the ball at the top of your thighbone securely in your hip socket. You can suffer a labral tear while performing repetitive twisting movements at work.
Another type of hip injury that may occur as a result of performing work duties is hip impingement. This is a broad term, meaning that the ball and socket of the hip joint do not fit together properly. There can be a few different causes. If hip impingement is left untreated, it can cause a labral tear and more serious injury.
Medical Treatment for Workers’ Compensation Hip Injuries—What to Expect
If you have suffered a hip injury on the job, the most important thing is to seek the medical care you need right away. Under Georgia workers’ compensation law, your employer is required to pay for medical treatment that is reasonable and related to your work injury.
Medical treatment for hip injuries can include multiple sessions of physical therapy and visits to an orthopedic specialist. In some cases, the injury to the hip may be more severe, and you may need surgery in order for your injury to fully resolve. Here are some of the common forms of treatment for hip injuries:
Physical therapy – Physical therapy is usually one of the first plans of treatment. This treatment involves exercises that are intended to improve the strength, mobility, and flexibility of your help. Some physical therapists use modalities such as massage, heat and ice packs, and ultrasound.
Cortisone Injections – In some cases, hip injuries are more severe and are not resolved with conservative treatment such as physical therapy and pain medication. Your doctor may want to give you cortisone injections, which can help relieve pain in the hip area. These injections may also be used for diagnostic purposes in order to pinpoint the source of the pain.
Arthroscopic hip surgery – This procedure is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. Arthroscopic hip surgery may be performed to try to repair a labral tear.
Hip replacement surgery – In more severe hip injury cases, a hip replacement may be needed. A hip replacement is performed to replace any damaged parts of the hip joint. It can help relieve hip pain that has not been able to resolve through other treatments.
It is common to also require physical therapy and rehabilitation for you to regain normal use of your hip after a surgery. You will also likely be prescribed pain medication. All of these costs should be paid for by your employer if your injury is work-related.
Compensation and Benefits for Hip Injuries in Georgia
In addition to paying for your medical bills and costs, your employer may also owe you additional compensation for your hip injury. If your injury is severe enough to require surgery, then you will be unable to work for a period of time determined by your doctor. If this period of time is longer than seven days, your employer is required to pay you temporary total disability for the time you are off work.
Temporary total disability payments are issued to you at a rate of two-thirds of your average weekly wage. If your accident occurred on or after July 1, 2022, this benefit is capped at a payment of $725 per week.
You may also receive compensation for the permanent nature of your injuries. This is called permanent partial disability. These benefits are calculated based on an impairment rating that is calculated by your treating physician.
Returning to Work with Light Duty Work Restrictions
If you have work restrictions that limit your ability to perform the work you were previously doing prior to your hip injury at work, your employer may be able to accommodate those restrictions and offer you a job that you can perform with your temporary limitations. Your employer is not required to offer you a job within your restrictions—but if they are unable to, they must pay you temporary total disability until your doctor determines that you are released to go back to full duty work.
In some cases, these light duty jobs pay less than what you were earning in your prior position. Under Georgia workers’ compensation law, you may be owed additional compensation of two-thirds of the difference in wages. This benefit is currently capped at $483 per week as of July 1, 2022.
Work Accident Hip Injuries in Georgia
If you have recently suffered a hip injury in a work accident in Georgia, Gearhart Law Group is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation to get started pursuing your workers’ compensation benefits. Unfortunately, it is complicated navigating the workers’ compensation panel of physicians. The Georgia Workers’ Compensation system requires injured workers to select a doctor from a small panel of physicians. In some cases, the panel will have valid doctors who understand your injury. In other cases, the panel is invalid due to a variety of reasons. It is important to speak with a workers’ compensation attorney to understand the rights of the injured worker.
Free Consultation
If you have a hip injury and need legal advice, contact the best workers’ compensation attorney in Georgia. Beth Gearhart listens and cares about her clients. Beth is available every day to discuss your case and provide her option on your options. She is dedicated to positive outcomes and only gets paid if you receive a settlement. You do not need to pay anything upfront to discuss your case and explore your options.
