In previous blogs, we’ve discussed disability severity classifications, catastrophic injury designations, and on-the-job fatality realities, but what encompasses the non-catastrophic injury? Non-catastrophic injuries are those which one can expect to recover from. The determining factor is not the severity, but the recoverability of the injury. 

Common non-catastrophic injuries include head injuries, repetitive-use injuries, heart attacks, temporary hearing or vision impairments, minor burns, cuts, nerve damage, muscle strains, sprains, and broken bones. Many of these injuries occur due to slip and fall accidents, construction accidents, auto accidents, and general occupational hazard accidents. 

Non-catastrophic injuries include those minor injuries which result from on-the-job haste and inattentiveness, but do not include those which result from willful misconduct by the employee in the workplace. Job-related diseases are covered if there is a direct link between the workplace and the illness—common diseases which are not proven to be caused explicitly by the work environment are not covered. A non-catastrophic injury can also include a re-injury of a pre-existing condition due to circumstances in the workplace.

As with all other workers’ compensation cases, a claim is only valid if employees are injured while performing assigned job duties during assigned work hours. Generally, any injuries sustained while performing unassigned duties, or during lunch and breaks, are not covered, but some exceptions exist.

With non-catastrophic cases, employees are entitled to compensation equal to two-thirds of their average weekly wage (no more than the maximum allowed under the law and for no longer than 400 weeks). More restrictions and circumstances are accounted for under workers’ compensation law which an experienced attorney can assist with navigating to make sure you get the care and compensation your injury calls for. If you have suffered a workplace injury, contact Poirier Law Firm today for a consultation on your specific case.

Source: https://sbwc.georgia.gov/publications-and-forms/publications/employee-handbook