Many Georgian’s take on an additional job during the holidays for extra spending money.  So, what happens if you, as a temporary worker, gets hurt while on the job? Are you covered by workers’ compensation like the rest of the regular time employees? 

Temporary Work and Workers’ Compensation

According to Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws, if you are a temporary or seasonal worker, you may be eligible to receive benefits. The law requires employers to carry insurance for employees and does not distinguish between full time workers and part time workers. It also doesn’t distinguish between those who are working for the employer on an indefinite basis and those who are hired on a temporary basis. All employees of companies who are required to have workers’ comp insurance may qualify for benefits if they are hurt on the job.  Coverage for all temporary employees begins their first day on the job. There is no waiting period and a claim can’t be denied due to lack of experience or length of time at the job.

Filing a Claim

In order to obtain workers’ comp benefits, you have to follow the same procedure every other regular time employee must follow. You want to make sure to always report your injury to your employer right away—within 30 days of occurence. You will then pick from a list of doctors offered to you by the employer and can expect to receive compensation for medical bills, rehab therapy, pharmacy costs, and even travel expenses. If you have a catastrophic illness then you are entitled to long-term benefits. You can even receive benefits for lost wages if you have to miss multiple days of work.

Consult a Lawyer

Temporary workers have the same rights to workers’ compensation as any other employee but the path to getting there may be more difficult. It is essential that as a temporary worker you understand your rights under the law because they can be confusing. You must contact a workers’ comp attorney so that your rights are protected and you get a fair and just recovery.