1. An overview of Georgia Workers‘ Compensation
What's the big picture?
An overview of Georgia Workers‘ Compensation

2. The State Board of Workers‘ Compensation
O.C.G.A. § : 
"There is created and established within the executive branch a board to be known as the State Board of Workers' Compensation composed of three members who shall be appointed by the Governor for a term of four years….  The board shall have full authority, power, and the duty to promulgate policies, rules, and regulations for the administration of this chapter…." 
The three members include the Chairman and two Directors

3. Trial Division and Appeals
The Trial Division is responsible for conducting hearings in contested cases and ruling on motions
There are currently 17 Administrative Law Judges serving 12 territories throughout Georgia
ALJ is the trier of fact and law
Decisions from the Trial Division can be appealed to the Appellate Division of the State Board
The Appellate Division consists of the Chairman and two Directors of the State Board
APPEALS PROCESS:
Trial Division 
Appellate Division
Superior Court of the County of Injury
Court of Appeals
Supreme Court of Georgia

5. EXCLUSIVE REMEDY
O.C.G.A. § sets out the exclusive remedy provision of the Georgia Workers' Compensation Act.  It provides in pertinent part, 
"The rights and the remedies granted to an employee by this chapter shall exclude all other rights and remedies of such employee, his personal representative, parents, dependents, or next of kin, at common law or otherwise, on account of such injury, loss of service, or death; provided, however, that no employee shall be deprived of any right to bring an action against any third party tort feasor, other than an employee of the same employer or any person who, pursuant to a contract or agreement with an employer, provides workers' compensation benefits to an injured employee ...."
An injured employee cannot sue their employer or co-workers in tort, and will not be able to recovery for pain and suffering, punitive damages, loss of consortium, et c.   
The injured employee does not need to prove negligence, only that he suffered an injury "arising out of and in the course of employment" - O.C.G.A.  § (4)

6. Workers' Compensation Benefits
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) Benefits §
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) Benefits §
Employee is unable to work or the employer is not able to accommodate work restrictions 
Paid 2/3 of Average Weekly Wage 
Not more than $575 per week/not less than $50
Not more than 400 weeks
Employee is able to work but earning less due to their compensable work injury 
Paid 2/3 of the difference between Average Weekly Wage and current earnings
Not more than $383 per week
Not more than 350 weeks

7. Workers' Compensation Benefits
Medical §     
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Benefits §
Employee is entitled to all medical care which "shall be reasonably required and appear likely to effect a cure, give relief, or restore the employee to suitable employment.” 
400 week cap on medical 
Monetary benefit for loss or loss of use of body part, based on Average Weekly Wage and percentage of loss
Schedule of income benefits:
Bodily Loss                                                       Maximum Weeks  (1)  Arm   225  (2)  Leg   225  (3)  Hand   160  (4)  Foot   135  (5)  Thumb   60  (6)  Index finger   40  (7)  Middle finger   35  (8)  Ring finger   30  (9)  Little finger   25 (10)  Great toe   30 (11)  Any toe other than the great toe   20 (12)  Loss of hearing, traumatic         One ear   75         Both ears   150 (13)  Loss of vision of one eye   150 (14)  Disability to the body as a whole   300

8. Workers' Compensation Benefits
CATASTROPHIC INJURIES §  
DEATH BENEFITS §
If an injury is found to be "Catastrophic" the employee will be entitled to income and medical benefits for the remainder of their life (the 400 week cap on TTD and Medical benefits does not apply to employees who have suffered a catastrophic injury)
Six criteria for catastrophic designation:
Paralysis
Amputation of arm, hand, leg, or foot
Severe brain or closed head injury
2nd or 3rd degree burns over 25% of body or 3rd degree to 5% of the face or hands
Total or industrial blindness
Any other injury that prevents the employee from performing any work available in substantial numbers in the national economy
$7,500 Funeral expenses 
If no dependents, no other compensation 
Dependents receive income benefits
If spouse is only dependent, benefits shall not exceed $230,000
Child dependent benefits stop at 18 or 22 if enrolled in college, unless physically or mentally incapable of earning a livelihood 

9. Statutes of Limitation and Notice
Employee must give the employer notice of an injury within 30 days.  O.C.G.A. §
Employee has 1 year from either the date of injury or last date the employer provided remedial medical care within which to file a claim with the State Board.  O.C.G.A. §
Where income benefits have been paid:
Employee must request a hearing for additional TTD or TPD benefits within 2 years of the last payment of income benefits
Employee must request a hearing for PPD benefits within 4 years of the last payment of income benefits

10. Board forms (frequently used)
WC-1 – Employer's first report of injury
WC-2 – Payment or Suspension of benefits
WC-3 – Controvert (denial of all or part of a claim)
WC-6 – Wage statement (provides basis for computing Average Weekly Wage)
WC-12 – Request for copies of Board forms
WC-14 – Notice of Claim or Request for Hearing (Employee's form to file claim and toll SOLs)
WC-100- Request for Board Mediation
WC-102(b) - Notice of representation 
WC-104 – Notice to employee of medical return to work with restrictions / allows reduction in benefits from TTD to TPD without actually returning employee to light duty employment 
WC-200a – Change of physicians 
WC-240 – Notice to employee of suitable employment 
WC-R1CATEE – Request for Catastrophic Designation

11. State Board Resources ICMS – Integrated Case Management System
Claim forms filed here by all parties and the Board
Will include hearing notices, orders by the Board
Other Board Resources:  
Publications
Board Forms
Rules/Statutes 
Published Awards