Drug Tests and Decatur Workers’ Compensation Cases – What You Need to Know about Drugs and Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Decatur
While most workers in Decatur likely know that they may be entitled to important workers’ compensation benefits if they are injured on the job and are rendered unable to work their regular work, what they may not know is what kinds of exceptions apply to Decatur workers’ compensation cases. One important exception to Decatur workers’ compensation cases, especially these days when drugs such as marijuana are growing increasingly popular, and legalization and normalization across the county, is the exception to work-related accidents that are caused by the intoxication of drugs or alcohol. Indeed, under Decatur workers’ compensation laws, if a work-related accident occurred as a result of the injured worker’s drug or alcohol use, they may be denied important workers’ compensation benefits.
Drug Testing and Workers’ Compensation Cases in Decatur
As a result of the fact that drug and alcohol use may disqualify an injured Decatur worker from getting workers’ compensation benefits, it is important for Decatur workers to understand their rights under Decatur workers’ compensation laws when it comes to mandatory drug tests. Importantly, under Georgia workers’ compensation laws, “If an employee unjustifiably refuses to submit to a drug test following an on-the-job injury, there shall be a presumption that the accident and injury were caused by alcohol or drugs. If the presumption is not overcome by other evidence, any claim for workers’ compensation benefits would be denied.” Accordingly, if a Decatur worker is injured on the job and is asked to take a drug test, if the injured worker is not justified in rejecting taking the drug test, there may be a presumption that the worker was drunk or intoxicated, leading to their workplace accident. This presumption would likely disqualify an otherwise eligible injured worker from obtaining Georgia workers’ compensation benefits in their case.
Your Right to Legal Counsel in Your Decatur Workers’ Compensation Case
It is important for injured workers in Decatur to know that they are entitled to legal counsel and representation if they are denied workers’ compensation benefits in their Decatur workers’ compensation case. Under the law, an experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyer can work with you on your case and fight for you to get important workers’ compensation benefits due to you. Certain time limitations under Georgia workers’ compensation laws may be running in your Decatur workers’ compensation case, so it is best to speak with an experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible about your case.
The experienced Decatur workers’ compensation lawyers at the O’Connell Law Firm are here to help Decatur workers get important workers’ compensation benefits due to them for their serious work-related injuries. If you are in the Decatur area and you need legal help with your case, do not hesitate to speak with an experienced lawyer today. Contact the O’Connell Law Firm and speak to a lawyer about your rights and options under Georgia workers’ compensation laws now.
Source:
sbwc.georgia.gov/sites/sbwc.georgia.gov/files/board_forms/bor.pdf
