Workers' comp claim denied in Georgia: what to do next

If your claim is denied or you are not paid, file Form WC-14 with the Board and check 'Request for Hearing' (or 'Request for Mediation' to have a Board mediator help with a specific issue), and send copies to your employer and the insurance carrier.

Your employer's insurer, not the state, usually decides first. If they deny or delay, the free help listed here can explain your options.

Checked against official sources: October 31, 2026.

Deadlines are strict. If you are near one, call the state agency or free help today.

If your claim is denied or delayed in Georgia

Who decides: State Board of Workers' Compensation (Trial Division Administrative Law Judges; Appellate Division)
First step: If your claim is denied or you are not paid, file Form WC-14 with the Board and check 'Request for Hearing' (or 'Request for Mediation' to have a Board mediator help with a specific issue), and send copies to your employer and the insurance carrier. The Board's claims assistance line can explain the steps for free.
Form: Form WC-14 (Notice of Claim / Request for Hearing / Request for Mediation)
Deadline: File your WC-14 claim within 1 year from the accident, within 1 year from the last authorized medical treatment, or within 2 years from the last weekly benefit payment. An appeal to the Appellate Division must be filed within 20 days of the award.
Medical disagreements: To change doctors beyond your one free change, or to dispute treatment, you or the other side can ask the Board on Form WC-200b; the other side has 15 days to object. Ask your authorized treating physician about tests and referrals; the insurer may dispute whether treatment is necessary under Board Rule 205.
: Form WC-200b (Request/Objection for Change of Physician or Additional Treatment)
Form WC-205 (Request for Authorization of Medical Treatment)
Appealing the decision: Appellate Division of the State Board (within 20 days of the award), then Superior Court (petition for review within 20 days of the award), then discretionary appeal to the Georgia Court of Appeals (within 30 days).

File Form WC-14 as a Request for Hearing (or Request for Mediation) with the State Board and serve copies on your employer and its insurance carrier.
Mediation with a Board mediator is available for issues listed on a WC-14 Request for Mediation; settlement mediation needs both sides' agreement.
An Administrative Law Judge holds a hearing, generally within 60 days after the judge gets your WC-14, usually in or near the county where you were injured, and issues an award.
If you disagree with the award, apply for review by the Board's Appellate Division within 20 days.
After the Appellate Division, you can file a petition for review in Superior Court within 20 days of the award, and then ask the Court of Appeals for discretionary review within 30 days.

Law: O.C.G.A. §§ 34-9-82, 34-9-103, 34-9-105; SBWC Rules 103, 105

Source: sbwc.georgia.gov

Sources

The official sources for Georgia are listed on the Georgia page.

National rules that may also matter

Not covered by state workers' comp?

These federal programs and laws cover some groups of workers instead of, or in addition to, state workers' compensation. If one of them may apply to you, check its rules and deadlines too. They are different from your state's.

Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA): Civilian employees of the federal government, including Postal Service employees. Official page

Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (Longshore Act): Maritime workers such as longshore workers, harbor workers, ship repairers, shipbuilders and ship-breakers, hurt on navigable waters of the United States or on an adjoining pier, wharf, dry dock, terminal or other area used to load, unload, repair or build ships. Some groups are excluded. Official page
Longshore maximum and minimum for October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027 (fiscal year 2027): maximum $2,163.92 a week, minimum $540.98 a week.

Law: 33 U.S.C. 906(b); DOL Longshore NAWW table

Defense Base Act: Civilian employees working outside the United States on U.S. military bases or under a contract with the U.S. government for public works or national defense. Claims are handled by the Longshore program. Official page

Federal Black Lung Program: Coal miners who are totally disabled by black lung disease (pneumoconiosis) from coal mine work, and survivors of miners whose deaths were caused by it. Official page

Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program: Current or former employees of the U.S. Department of Energy and its contractors and subcontractors, and certain uranium miners, millers and ore transporters, who became ill from toxic exposures such as radiation, beryllium or silica at covered work sites, and their survivors. The program is set up by the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). Official page

Railroad workers (Federal Employers' Liability Act): Employees of railroads in interstate commerce. Instead of a workers' compensation claim, a federal law lets an injured railroad worker sue the railroad for damages caused by its negligence.

Seamen (Jones Act): A seaman injured in the course of employment may bring a lawsuit against the employer, with the right to a jury trial, under the same federal rules that apply to railroad workers.

National help

Your state workers' compensation agency answers questions about claims. Many have a free help line, an ombudsman or information officers for injured workers.

The Legal Services Corporation funds 129 nonprofit legal aid organizations in every state, D.C. and the territories. Enter your address on its website to find one near you. You can also look up legal information and free forms at LawHelp.org. Whether a local program handles workers' compensation cases varies.

LawHelp.org