Georgia Workers Compensation

Workers compensation insurance helps employers be prepared for work-related injuries and illnesses. Understanding Georgia’s workers compensation requirements – from employee benefits to employer insurance coverage responsibilities – can help businesses stay compliant and prepared. Explore how work-related injuries, reporting requirements and GA workers comp laws apply to your business.

Understanding workers compensation in Georgia

From advanced manufacturing plants in Macon to tech startups in Atlanta and construction sites stretching along I-75, Georgia’s workforce drives one of the most diverse and fast-growing economies in the country. A strong workers compensation system helps keep that momentum going – safely, confidently and with care.

As the nation’s leading workers compensation insurer, Travelers offers Georgia’s employees and employers trusted guidance, timely support and proven results.

Who is required to carry workers compensation insurance in Georgia?

Georgia employers who regularly employ three or more individuals, including full-time, part-time, seasonal employees and corporate officers or LLC members, must maintain workers compensation insurance.

Officers and members who waive coverage for themselves still count toward the three-employee threshold. Sole proprietors or partners aren’t counted as employees and aren't required to be covered under workers compensation insurance unless they elect to opt in. This law applies to, but is not limited to, public corporations and non-profit organizations.

Who can receive workers compensation benefits in Georgia?

Injured employees are generally eligible to receive workers compensation benefits. Some individuals are automatically included in or excluded from workers compensation in Georgia.

Corporations: Officers are included in coverage and may elect to be excluded from coverage.
Partnerships: Partners are excluded from coverage and may elect to be included in coverage.
Sole Proprietorships: Sole proprietors are excluded from coverage and may elect to be included in coverage.
Limited Liability Companies (LLCs): Members are included in coverage and may elect to be excluded.

Georgia requirements to consider

Failure to have workers compensation insurance may result in significant penalties, including fines and misdemeanor charges.

Overview of workers compensation requirements in Georgia

Understanding Georgia workers compensation is essential for employers. Being aware of state requirements helps employers comply with the law and support employees. This is an overview of the fundamentals of employer responsibilities and the benefits employees may receive under GA workers compensation law.

Georgia workers compensation employer responsibilities overview

Compensable injuries

Generally, injuries arising out of and in the course of employment, regardless of whose fault it is, have potential for workers compensation benefits. This includes occupational diseases and cumulative trauma injuries.

Occupational diseases and cumulative trauma injuries are conditions that develop over time in the workplace.

Posting notices

Employers in Georgia are required to post the following documents in areas that are in a conspicuous location at the worksite, informing employees of their rights, benefits and obligations under GA workers compensation laws:

“Panel of Physicians” (Form WC-P1) in both English and Spanish.
“Injured Worker Bill of Rights” (Form WC-BOR) in both English and Spanish.

Providing medical treatment

Employers can direct medical care for injured employees by connecting them to a specified choice of physicians. Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation advises that medical care quality should be a primary consideration when selecting designated treating physicians (Panel of Physicians) for employees.

The law requires that Georgia employers maintain a Panel of Physicians or a certified Managed Care Organization (MCO) that employees must use to seek medical attention for work-related injuries. The Panel of Physicians or MCO list needs to be posted in a prominent location so employees can easily find who they need to contact for medical care should an incident occur.

Providing lost wages (indemnity)

Employers can be responsible for lost wages, including decrease in pay due to modified job responsibilities. The employee benefits section gives a more in-depth explanation of the types of wage benefits employers may be responsible for.

Prompt reporting and forms

Employers should encourage employees to promptly notify them of any accident or injury. Once aware of a work-related injury, the employer should make sure the injured employee understands they can seek medical treatment if needed. The employer should notify their insurer right away of any work accident or injury so that their insurer can timely report to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation.

Employers or their insurer may need to report claim information throughout the claim process.

Prompt reporting is essential to avoid penalties and provide timely benefits for injured employees.

Record keeping

Employers should maintain thorough documentation, including details about what happened, when, where and witnesses involved. Accurate record keeping and prompt reporting to their workers compensation insurer can play a key role in a timely and complete investigation and handling of the claim.

The employer should continue to maintain and provide necessary information to their insurer throughout the claim process as it is vital for efficient claim handling and compliance with the workers compensation law.

Penalties

Employers should be aware that penalties may apply for delayed payments, improper handling of claims or non-compliance with Georgia workers compensation laws. For more information, visit the official state of Georgia workers compensation website.

Georgia workers compensation employee benefits overview

Calculating Average Weekly Wage (AWW) in Georgia

The state of Georgia uses employees’ gross earnings 13 weeks prior to the injury as the basis to calculate an Average Weekly Wage (AWW). After the AWW is determined, the correct benefit amount can be calculated based on the type of disability that occurred.

Georgia sets minimum and maximum dollar amount benefits, subject to yearly changes.
The type of disability is a factor in determining the wage compensation employees should receive.

Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits

Employees who are unable to work for more than 7 days may receive Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits. The TTD benefits are calculated at two-thirds of the set Average Weekly Wage (AWW).

The 7-day waiting period is retroactively paid if an employee is out of work for 21 consecutive days.
The first TTD payment to the employee is due 21 days from the date the employer became aware of the disability.
There is a 400-week limit to the benefit, and a 15% late fee penalty imposed if benefits are not paid in a timely manner.
Penalties may increase if benefits are awarded by an order from the State Board of Workers’ Compensation or by a judge.

Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits

Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits provide payments to employees who can still work but earn less due to their injury.

The benefit amounts are two-thirds of the wage difference between pre-injury and post-injury earnings.
TPD benefits are subject to a maximum weekly payment cap (depending on the date of loss).

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits

Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation has issued a schedule of benefits based on impairment ratings and affected body parts. Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits have maximum amounts and are awarded for permanent impairments.

Catastrophic (CAT) benefits

Catastrophic (CAT) benefits provide lifetime compensation for catastrophic injuries without the typical 400-week cap applicable to non-catastrophic injuries.

Dependency (death) benefits

Fatality benefits may be provided to support the dependent(s) of a deceased employee. Benefits may include compensation for funeral costs and ongoing financial support.

Vocational rehabilitation

Vocational rehabilitation services with a catastrophic rehabilitation supplier, registered with the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation, must be offered for cases designated as catastrophic. For non-catastrophic injuries vocational rehab is optional.

Medical benefits

Employee workers comp medical benefits cover all necessary treatments related to the workplace injury. Reimbursement for medical mileage is covered for treatment prescribed by an authorized treating physician, who is part of the Panel of Physicians.

The Panel of Physicians must include at least six physicians. The list must include at least one orthopedic physician and one minority physician. No more than two physicians can be from industrial clinics.
Employees can choose their preferred physician from the Panel of Physicians.
Injured employees may change their preferred physician one time without the employer’s approval.
Most medical benefits have a 400-week maximum, which is not applicable for catastrophic injuries.

Legislative updates

Regulations, laws and potential changes that can shift your course

As the nation’s largest writer of workers compensation insurance, Travelers is committed to understanding new and evolving legislation, regulations and trends at the state level. Our employees serve on regional and national associations, boards and committees to advocate on behalf of our customers and the industry. We educate stakeholders on the impact legislation can have on businesses. By taking an active role in the legislative process, we participate in the important dialog around worker safety and advocate for best practices industry-wide so all can benefit from our workers compensation expertise.

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Worker comp FAQs

Easy reads and quick finds - answers to workers compensation questions

Choosing workers compensation insurance takes understanding of legal requirements, coverage needs, business strategy, operations and payroll. Travelers workers comp FAQ pages provide support through it all.

Find answers

Why choose Travelers

Care for the employee, confidence for the employer

Employees are at the heart of every business. That's why Travelers is here to help employers keep them safe and support them when accidents happen. Our experienced teams guide both employers and their injured employees through recovery, from getting the right care to returning to work as soon as medically appropriate. In fact, 70% of injured employees return to work within 30 days.

Travelers approach

Information for Georgia businesses

Resources

Travelers workers compensation hub

Travelers workers compensation claim process

TravPay®/Pay-as-you-go billing

Premium Audit

Risk Management Information Services (RMIS)

Travelers Risk Control

Government links

Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation

Georgia workers comp FAQs

GA State Board of Workers’ Compensation Best Practices

Best Practices – Role of the Employer

More Prepare & Prevent

Insights to help you manage risks at work and on the road

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The Travelers Injury Impact Report

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Sources
https://sbwc.georgia.gov/

Georgia Workers Compensation

Who is required to carry workers compensation insurance in Georgia?

Who can receive workers compensation benefits in Georgia?

Georgia requirements to consider

Manufacturing

Technology & life sciences

Construction

Compensable injuries

Posting notices

Providing medical treatment

Providing lost wages (indemnity)

Prompt reporting and forms

Record keeping

Penalties

Calculating Average Weekly Wage (AWW) in Georgia

Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits

Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits

Catastrophic (CAT) benefits

Dependency (death) benefits

Vocational rehabilitation

Medical benefits

Workplace Safety Resources

How to Unlock the Strategic Value of Benchmarking in Workers Compensation

Workplace Safety Resources

How Presumption Laws Are Changing Workers Compensation

Workplace Safety Resources

How Does Workers Compensation Apply to Employees Versus Contractors

Workplace Safety Resources

Workers Compensation Coverage for Business Leaders

Resources

Government links

Workplace Safety Resources

The Travelers Injury Impact Report

Workplace Safety Resources

How to Onboard and Train Employees into a Safety Culture

Employee Wellness Resources

The Opioid Crisis and Workplace Injury