Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation Releases Updated Board Forms
The Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation recently revised several Board forms to reflect the increase to the maximum weekly compensation rates. Effective July 1, 2019, the maximum compensation rate for temporary total disability is $675.00, and the maximum rate for temporary partial disability is $450.00.
The State Board only accepts the most current version of any Board form and outdated versions will be rejected. The revised forms released by the Board include:
- WC-2, Notice of Payment or Suspension of Benefits
- WC-2a, Notice of Payment or Suspension of Death Benefits
- WC-Bill of Rights
Practice Tip for WC-2:
As a reminder, the WC-2, Notice of Payment or Suspension of Benefits, must be filed with the State Board whenever temporary total disability benefits (TTD), temporary partial disability benefits (TPD), permanent partial disability benefits (PPD) or salary in lieu of compensation, are initiated, suspended or modified.
It is also important to remember that a WC-2 must be filed to properly suspend income benefits when a claim is controverted within sixty (60) days of the due date of the first payment. When controverting a case in which income benefits have been paid, it is imperative to remember that the Board will find the controvert invalid unless all indemnity benefits owed, including late payment penalties, are paid before the controvert is filed.
In such cases, it is good practice to reconfirm that the employee’s compensation rate was properly calculated, and that the income benefits were mailed timely. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. §34-9-221, penalties are deemed owed if income benefits are not paid weekly when due, and checks mailed from outside of Georgia must be mailed three days before the due date in order to be timely.
For questions, please contact one of MGC’s Georgia workers’ compensation attorneys.This legal update is published as a service to our clients and friends. It is intended to provide general information and does not constitute legal advice regarding any specific situation. Past success does not indicate likelihood of success in any future legal representation.