Georgia workers' compensation insurance: Your ultimate guide
Everything to know about workers’ compensation for
Georgia
businesses
What does workers’ compensation cover?
A standard workers’ comp policy covers four primary areas: medical expenses, lost wages, employer liability and ongoing rehabilitation. EverPeak policies ensure your crew gets the care they need to return to work safely while protecting your business from the costs of workplace accidents.
Medical care
Coverage for the necessary treatment resulting from a work-related injury or illness.
Lost wages
Partial pay for employees unable to work while recovering from an injury.
Legal protection
Financial support for your business if an employee files a lawsuit related to an accident.
Ongoing care
Rehabilitation and training to support employees re-enter the workforce, and ongoing benefits for permanent injuries.
Death benefits
Financial support for the families.
What are
Georgia
's workers' comp laws?
Georgia’s workers’ compensation laws require any business with three or more employees to be covered by an active workers’ compensation insurance policy.
If you’re a business owner in Georgia, it’s crucial to protect yourself, your business and your employees with workers’ compensation insurance.
What is workers' compensation?
Workers' compensation is designed to provide employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses with medical treatment and indemnity benefits.
Without workers’ compensation, the cost of a work-related injured or ill employee’s medical treatment could become the responsibility of your business.
Georgia workers' compensation laws
The State of Georgia's Workers' Compensation System is a no-fault system. Employees injured on the job are generally entitled to benefits regardless of who's at fault. This system is designed to help injured employees efficiently receive workers' compensation benefits so that an employee may recover from the effects of the work injury and return to work.
In Georgia, employers with three or more employees, whether part-time, full-time or seasonal, are required to maintain workers' compensation insurance.
Penalties for failing to provide workers’ compensation in Georgia include:
- Fines ranging from $500-$5,000 per violation
- Misdemeanor charges against the offending corporate executive or business owner
- Potential jail time of up to one year
- Additional criminal fines ranging from $1,000-$10,000
Who is covered and exempt from
Georgia
workers' comp?
Who is covered?
An employee working within the course and scope of employment at the time of the injury may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits. Workers' compensation benefits may include medical treatment and wage replacement.
Workers' compensation insurance covers a wide range of workers, including full-time and part-time employees, as well as seasonal and temporary workers.
Who’s exempt from workers’ compensation?
Some exemptions from workers' compensation in Georgia may include, for example:
1. Railroad workers
2. Farmers and farm workers
3. Federal government employees
Benefits provided
Georgia workers’ comp insurance provides three types of benefits for work injuries:
- Medical benefits
- Lost wages
- Permanent disability
These benefits cover:
- Work-related accidents, injuries and/or illnesses
- Missed wages resulting from time away from work for recovery
- Ongoing care costs for work-related injuries or illnesses
- Funeral costs for fatal work-related illness or accidents
- Permanent disability benefits
Georgia workers’ compensation rates
If workers are away from work for more than seven days because of a work-related injury or illness they are eligible to receive weekly income benefits. These are two-thirds of their average weekly earnings and a max of $800 weekly.
Georgia workers’ compensation cost
Several factors influence the cost of workers' compensation insurance in Georgia, such as:
- Industry: Different industries have varying risk levels, affecting your premium.
- Payroll: The size of your payroll impacts your premium – more employees, higher cost.
- Claims History: Your past claims history can sway the cost – a clean track record can save you money.
- Safety Measures: Implementing safety measures can actually lower your premium, making it a win-win for your team and your budget.
How much does workers’ comp cost in
Georgia
?
How do you file a workers’ compensation claim in
Georgia
?
Georgia’s workers’ comp claims process
In the event of a work-related injury or illness, employees must promptly notify their employer and seek medical attention.
In Georgia, workers have 30 days from the day of the accident to report an injury to their employer.
Employees are responsible for reporting the incident to their employer and the Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation (SBWC). The injured employee should complete the necessary forms and provide supporting documentation to initiate the claims process.
According to the Georgia government website, employees should take the following steps when suffering a work-related injury or illness:
- Within 30 days of the accident or onset of illness, fill out the WC-14 form. Be sure to provide your name and address and the complete name and address of your employer and their insurance company, a detailed explanation of your injury and what benefits you are seeking.
- Submit the forms in person or through mail at the address listed on the form in Section E (“Certificate of Service”).
- Send copies of the form to your employer and their workers' compensation insurance partner.
- Notification of benefits: Your employer’s insurance claim office will notify you if your benefits were approved and provide notification of the type of benefits you may receive.
- If you disagree with the approved benefits or if your claim was denied, you have the right to request a hearing from SBWC .
- Medical treatment: To remain eligible for benefits, get the medical or rehabilitation care ordered by your physician or SBWC In order to remain eligible for benefits, you must return to work when your physician determines you are able, even if you must get a different job as a result of your injury.
- Return to work: You must return to work when your physician determines you are able to, even if you must get a different job as a result of your injury. This is also required to remain eligible for benefits.
How to get workers' compensation
Insurance requirements for employers
Generally, employers in Georgia with three or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance or qualify for self-insurance, depending on their size and industry. Compliance with these requirements is essential to protect both the employer and employees.
Choosing the right insurance provider
When selecting a workers' compensation insurance provider, consider factors such as the provider's experience in the industry, financial stability, coverage options, claims process, customer service, and cost.
It's advisable to request multiple quotes and compare the offerings before deciding.
Covering your business and employees with a trusted partner — like EverPeak—brings peace of mind so you can focus on your bottom line.
FAQs
Enforcing safety protocols, providing proper employee training, maintaining a clean and hazard-free work environment, and regularly reviewing safety practices can significantly reduce workplace injuries.
Your premium is primarily determined by your industry payroll classifications, geographic location and total annual payroll. Your business’s safety history can also play a major role in determining your final rate. Three key factors influence your base insurance rate:
- Industry classification codes: Higher-hazard trades naturally carry higher baseline rates.
- Geographic location: Rates and statutory benefit structures fluctuate heavily by state lines.
- Historical safety record: Maintaining an accident-free workplace lowers your Experience Modification Rate (E-mod), resulting in built-in premium discounts.
Most states require businesses with employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance to stay compliant. Requirements vary by location, but having coverage ensures your business is protected and your team has access to benefits if an injury occurs.
Employees can verify online if their employer has coverage through the state’s online search tool.
Ideally, the incident should be reported immediately or within a few days of the occurrence. Prompt reporting helps ensures the necessary steps are taken to initiate the workers' compensation claims process.
Whether you need coverage for contractors depends entirely on your state’s specific regulatory definitions and formal worker classification tests. Since misclassification regulations are highly complex and can lead to severe audits or stop-work orders, it’s vital to ensure your entire labor force is properly verified and protected based on the actual day-to-day work they do.
Learn more: Do independent contractors need workers’ compensation?
In most cases, employees in Virginia are barred from suing their employers for work-related injuries or illnesses. The workers' compensation system provides an exclusive remedy, meaning that employees typically cannot file a lawsuit against their employers. Instead, they must pursue a workers' compensation claim to receive benefits for their injuries or illnesses.
In Virginia, employers who fail to procure or sustain the appropriate workers' compensation coverage for their employees may face civil fines of up to $250 per day of non-compliance. Failure to adhere to this requirement can reach a maximum of $50,000 in fines.
Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that benefits employers and employees in the case of a work-related injury or illness.
Why choose EverPeak for workers’ comp coverage?
EverPeak protects the hardest-working businesses in (state) with simple, reliable workers’ comp starting as low as $18 a month. Backed by over a century of specialized experience, customers get multi-state coverage, fast and easy claims support, and a vast network of brokers.