Recent Blog Posts

Surgery denied based on utilization review.

Brian Sumrall — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:51:00 GMT

Utilization review is a fancy way for the insurance company to say "we sent your medical records to a doctor in Texas and paid him to say that your surgery is not neccessary." Essentially, insurance companies do not like to pay for medical procedures if they do not have to do so. In Georgia workers' comp claims, insurance companies frequently send recommendations to out of state doctors (usually doctors in Texas for some reason) to say that a procedure or test is not neccessary. A utilization review report in Georgia is not even admissible evidence. If the workers' comp carrier has denied your surgery based on utilization review, contact workers' comp Atlanta attorney Brian H. Sumrall at (404)924-4595 or visit

http://www.sumrallfirm.com

Workers' compensation adjuster won't return my phone calls.

Brian Sumrall — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:49:00 GMT

A common complaint among Georgia workers' compensation claimants is that the adjuster refuses to return phone calls. This is not true for all adjusters but it is certainly common. Workers' compensation adjsuters are extremely busy. This is not an excuse for their failure to return phone calls. Frequently, adjusters do not pay attention to their files unless a matter is extremely urgent. A good workers' comp lawyer can see to it that your file becomes an urgent matter for the adjuster. If the adjuster in your case refuses to return phone calls, contact Atlanta work injury attorney Brian H. Sumrall at (404)924-4595 or visit

http://www.sumrallfirm.com

Insurance company requesting second opinion in workers' compensation claim.

Brian Sumrall — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:52:00 GMT

A workers' compensation carrier in Georgia can send an injured worker for a number of second opinions. As long as their request for a second opinion is reasonable, the injured worker must attend the appointment. Unfortunately, the workers' comp carrier is only required to pay for one second opinion with a doctor of the injured worker's choosing. If you have questions about a second opinion pertaining to your Georgia work injury claim, contact workers' compensation lawyer Brian H. Sumrall at (404)924-4595 or visit

http://www.sumrallfirm.com

Also, click here for additional information regarding Independant Medical Evaluations (IME's) and other common workers' compensation terms.

Work related motor vehicle accident.

Brian Sumrall — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:43:00 GMT

Driving is a common job requirement for many people. Individuals are frequently injured in car accidents while working. In Georgia, if you are injured in a motor vehicle accident while working this could give rise to both a personal injury claim and a workers' compensation claim. Essentially, you could have two sepate claims. You have one claim relating to the motor vehicle accident and a separate workers' compensation claim. If you have sustained a work-related car accident, contact Atlanta work comp attorney Brian H. Sumrall at (404)924-4595 or visit

http://www.sumrallfirm.com

What are my rights if I am hurt at work?

Brian Sumrall — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:10:00 GMT

If you are injured on the job in Georgia, you have certain rights. Your employer is required to pay for your medical treatment related to your job injury and required to pay you workers' compensation income benefits for missed time from work. If you feel your employer is not complying with Georgia workers' compensation laws, contact Atlanta, GA work injury lawyer Brian H. Sumrall at (404)924-4595 or visit

http://www.sumrallfirm.com

Will the insurance company hire a private investigator to follow you after filing a workers' compensation claim?

Brian Sumrall — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:33:00 GMT

Maybe. Insurance companies will occasionally hire private investigators to follow individuals who are injured at work. This practice is most commonly employed when an injured worker is receiving workers' compensation benefits and the insurance company wants to determine whether the individual is actually working. It is rare that the insurance companies actually catch an injured individual working while receiving income benefits. If you have a question about your Atlanta, GA work injury claim, call Atlanta, GA workers' comp attorney Brian H. Sumrall at (404)924-4595 or visit

http://www.sumrallfirm.com

Terminated after filing a workers' comp claim.

Brian Sumrall — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:47:00 GMT

If you have been termianted after filing a workers' compensation claim, you are not alone. Employers frequently fabricate a reason for terminating an employee who files a perfectly valid workers' compensation claim. Sadly, these employers simply want to avoid taking responsibility for individuals who are injured on their job. If you have been terminated following a workers' compensation claim, you should contact an attorney to discuss the status of your case. Contact Atlanta workers' compensation attorney Brian H. Sumrall at (404)924-4595 or visit

http://www.sumrallfirm.com

The value of a former defense attorney handling cases for Atlanta, GA injured workers.

Brian Sumrall — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:35:00 GMT

As a former defense attorney, Brian H. Sumrall knows how workers' compensation Insurance companies handle claims. This is useful in preparing for litigation and in trial. Futher, Mr. Sumrall knows how workers' compensation companies evaluate claims for settlement which provides a tremendous advantage to clients hoping to resolve a work comp claim through settlement. If you wouldl ike to discuss your workers' compensation claim with a former defense attorney who now reprsents injured workers, contact Brian H. Sumrall at (404)924-4595 or visit

http://www.sumrallfirm.com

Atlanta workers' compensation claim depositions.

Brian Sumrall — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:16:00 GMT

When issues arise in an Atlanta, GA workers' compensation claim, the attorney for the Employer/Insurer will frequently depose the injured worker. This is a common part of the pre-trial discovery phase of a workers' compensation claim. During a deposition, it is a good idea to have an attorney present to advise you. If the workers' compensation company has requested a deposition in your Georgia workers comp claim, contact Atlanta attorney Brian H. Sumrall at (404)924-4595 or visit

http://www.sumrallfirm.com

Workers' compensation credit against short-term and long-term disability benefits.

Brian Sumrall — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:42:00 GMT

A workers' compensation carrier is allowed to take a credit against short-term and long-term disability benefits paid to a claimant. They are only allowed to take the credit based on the percentage of the premium they paid for the short-term or long-term disability plan. The carrier is also required to file a form called a WC-243 within ten days of a workers' comp hearing in order to take the credit. If you have questions about a credit the workers' comp carrier is attempting to take against your income benefits, contact Atlanta work injury attorney Brian H. Sumrall at (404)924-4595 or visit

http://www.sumrallfirm.com

Determining jurisdiction for a workers' compensation claim.

Brian Sumrall — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:31:00 GMT

If an individual is injured on the job in Georgia, then Georgia should be the proper jurisdiction for that claim even if the injured worker's company is based in another state. Insurance companies frequently attempt to force injured workers into a jurisdiction which favors the employer and insurer. However, generally speaking, if an injury occurs in Georgia then the injured employee can choose Georgia as the jurisdiction for the workers' comp claim. If you have a question about choice of jurisdiction for a work injury, contact Atlanta workers' comp attorney Brian H. Sumrall at (404)924-4595 or visit

http://www.sumrallfirm.com

How long does it take to settle a Georgia workers' compensation claim?

Brian Sumrall — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:16:00 GMT

It depends. Insurance companies sometimes settle workers' compensation claims quickly and sometimes they do not. Each workers' compensation claim is different. The settlement value and time frame for settlement of each workers' compensation claim varies tremendously. If you would like to discuss settling your workers' compensation claim with an attorney, contact Atlanta work comp attorney Brian H. Sumrall at (404)924-4595 or visit

http://www.sumrallfirm.com

Claims adjuster and recorded statements after work injury.

Brian Sumrall — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:54:00 GMT

Claims adjusters usually want to take a recorded statement of an injured worker following a work injury. Generally speaking, I advise my clients that it is fine to give a recorded statement to the claims adjuster in a workers' compensation claim. However, it is a good idea to have your attorney on the phone during the recorded statement. If you have a workers' compensation claim and your adjuster has asked you to give a recorded statement, contact Atlanta workers' comp attorney Brian H. Sumrall at (404)924-4595 or visit

http://www.sumrallfirm.com

Time frame for Georgia workers' compensation hearings and Awards.

Brian Sumrall — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:47:00 GMT

It take a long time for an injured workers in Georgia to actually have his or her day in court. Even when that day in court takes place, the injured worker still does not immediately get a ruling from a Judge. After a hearing, the workers' compensation Judge will review briefs from both attorneys prior to issuing an Award. This process generally takes between 30 - 90 days. If you have questions about a workers' compensation claim, contact Atlanta workers' comp attorney Brian H. Sumrall at (404)924-4595 or visit

http://www.sumrallfirm.com

Atlanta workers' comp settlement process.

Brian Sumrall — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:24:00 GMT

In Georgia, workers' compensation settlements have to be approved by the State Board of Workers' Compensation. Generally, the State Board approves settlement agreements very quickly. Once a settlement is approved, the Employer/Insurer have twenty days to issue settlement checks. If you have any questions about settling your Atlanta, GA workers' comp claim, contact Brian H. Sumrall at (404)924-4595 or visit

http://www.sumrallfirm.com