• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Atlanta, GA Workers Compensation Lawyer Gerber & Holder Workers' Compensation Attorneys

Atlanta Law Firm

Offices in Atlanta, Athens & Columbus Georgia

(678) 802-8650 Free Consult

  • Team
  • Common work injuries
    • Back and neck
    • Car accident
    • Catastrophic
    • Spinal cord
    • Construction
    • Truck accident
    • Head and brain
  • Workers’ compensation
    • Workers’ comp benefits guide
    • Workers’ comp FAQs
    • Help with claim denials
  • Who we represent
  • Resources
    • Reviews
    • Verdicts
    • Scholarships
    • Videos
    • Blog
  • Contact
  • Español

What’s the Difference Between a Workers’ Comp Hearing & Going to Court?

Work Injury Lawyers (Home) / Georgia Workers’ Compensation / What’s the Difference Between a Workers’ Comp Hearing & Going to Court?

Understand the facts so you can get the best compensation in Georgia

    How much is your injury worth?

    Schedule Your Free Consultation

    Only a small percentage of workers’ comp cases go to trial. In most cases, the employee and their insurance company will offer you compensation without having to go to court. While many employers and their insurance providers may want to avoid offering compensation, they usually want to avoid going to court even more. In some instances, however, it’s impossible to avoid the court system. After a workplace injury, you have the choice to appeal a denied claim for workers’ compensation benefits.

    Workers’ comp hearings often help you avoid the lengthy court process. However, you may still need to go to court if your claim doesn’t go as you planned.

    But which is better, a workers’ comp hearing or a civil lawsuit?

    What is a workers’ comp hearing?

    A workers’ comp hearing may be necessary if your employer and their insurance company and other concerned parties fail to compensate you after a workplace injury or when you can’t reach an agreement about the appropriate amount of compensation.

    A hearing is used to resolve disputes over issues such as:

    • Vocational rehabilitation services
    • Temporary total disability (TTD) and temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits
    • Permanent partial disability (PPD) and permanent total disability (PTD) benefits
    • Mileage reimbursement
    • Payment of denied medical treatment
    • Changes in authorized treating physicians
    • The injured worker’s ability to return to work

    There are several factors that determine if your case is strong enough to appeal to a higher court. An experienced workers’ comp attorney is usually the best person to help you determine the strength of your case. Some of the factors they will consider include the severity of your illness or injury, type of claim, strength of the available medical evidence, type of health coverage you have, your ability to return to work, your income and the presence of a third-party claim from the accident.

    While you are permitted to represent yourself during your workers’ comp hearing, that is generally not advisable as your employer or their insurance company will have their own attorneys who will come prepared with a strong defense.

    What happens at a workers’ comp hearing?

    A workers’ comp hearing is generally the last resort in pursuing compensation. Before the case goes to a hearing, there will be pre-hearing proceedings and mediation. Mediation seeks to solve the case before a hearing. At this stage, you will exchange information and negotiate with the insurance company’s lawyers and the judge. The idea is to negotiate a settlement and avoid the court process.

    If you have a workers’ comp lawyer, you don’t necessarily have to be present during all pre-hearing proceedings. It’s important that you attend mediation, but you may be able to leave the pre-hearing conference to your legal representative so that you can focus on recovering. Your lawyer will guide you through the process.

    Your success at the hearing is dependent on the evidence you present. You need to bring your medical records, physician’s report, unpaid medical bills and any other document that supports your claim. During the hearing, you should be ready to give a testimony and be cross-examined. Your lawyer will help you prepare for the day of the trial.

    Typically, proceedings will take place over a few hours. However, if your case is complicated, it could take a few days. Prepare for the hearing as you would any other court proceeding. Wear appropriate clothes and talk with respect.

    The hearing is attended by 3 parties:

    1. Insurance company’s lawyer
    2. You and your lawyer
    3. The judge

    However, you can bring witnesses to the hearing to make your case stronger. Your employer may also send a representative, and the court may have a reporter. At the start of the hearing, the insurance company’s lawyer and your lawyer will give evidence to the judge for review.

    Some of the evidence that goes to the judge may include:

    • Medical records
    • Medical reports
    • Unsettled medical bills
    • Evidence of lost wages
    • Reports by expert witnesses
    • Employment records

    Your lawyer will know what evidence needs to be presented to the opposing lawyer before the hearing and what rules need to be followed to ensure the judge accepts your evidence.

    What happens during a civil lawsuit?

    When you file a civil lawsuit, you are suing a third party that contributed to the occurrence of your accident or illness. This usually involves a civil court, as opposed to a workers’ compensation board.

    If your employer offers workers’ compensation, you generally may not sue your employer. However, you could still decide to sue any third parties who contributed or caused the accident. If you want to avoid a lengthy court process, going for workers’ compensation is better than filing a civil lawsuit.

    There are, however, instances where filing for a civil lawsuit comes in handy. These include:

    • If your employer’s intentional and malicious conduct was directly responsible for the accident
    • If the accident was caused by a third party (not your employer)
    • If the insurance company denies your claim in bad faith and you feel you deserve compensation

    A civil lawsuit should be your last option. You should only go this route when you have strong evidence. Unlike a workers’ comp hearing, a civil lawsuit can take a long time to settle.

    If you’ve suffered an injury or illness at work and are considering filing a workers’ comp claim or civil lawsuit, it’s essential that you speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney first.

    At Gerber & Holder Workers’ Compensation Attorneys, we have more than 75 years of combined experience in workers’ compensation lawsuits. Our attorneys know the ins and out of workers’ comp law and can help make sure you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us for your free consultation today.

    Footer

      How much is your injury worth?

      Schedule Your Free Consultation

      Scroll back to top

      Georgia workers' compensation lawyers with offices in Atlanta and Athens

      (678) 802-8650

      Facebook LinkedIn Twitter
      “YouTube” “Instagram” “TikTok”

      Gerber & Holder Workers' Compensation Attorneys: Georgia Enjuris Partner Attorney

      Quick Links

      Benjamin Gerber Thomas Holder Common Work Injuries Car Accidents On-the-Job Injured in Atlanta

      Workers' Compensation Who We Represent Reviews File for Bankruptcy Contact Us

      Locations

      Atlanta office
      16 Lenox Pointe NE
      Atlanta, GA 30324

      Athens office
      337 South Milledge Ave, Ste. 209-7
      Athens, GA 30605

      Columbus office
      1340 14th St
      Columbus, GA 31901

      Copyright © 2023 · Gerber & Holder Workers' Compensation Attorneys · Workers' Comp Lawyer in Atlanta · Disclaimer · Privacy Policy

      Lawyer Marketing & Web Design by SEO Advantage, Inc.