Recently, the Georgia state legislature provided enhanced support and financial security to workers and their families by passing Georgia House Bill 480, relating to workers’ compensation benefits. Amending Chapter 9 of Title 34 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the bill specifically includes adjustments to surviving spouse dependency determination and termination, an increase to the compensation benefits for total disability and temporary partial disability, and an increase in the total compensation payable to a surviving spouse as a sole dependent at the time of death.
With the increase in compensation benefits for total disability and temporary partial disability, employees who experience work-related injuries will now receive a weekly benefit equal to two-thirds of their average weekly wage, with a maximum weekly benefit of $800.00. Additionally, in cases where a surviving spouse is the sole dependent at the time of the employee’s death, the total compensation payable to the spouse increases to a maximum of $320,000.00.
Please note that this bill will become effective on July 1, 2023, and will apply to injuries that occur on or after this date. We encourage all Georgia employers to review the changes made to the Georgia code and adjust their policies and procedures accordingly.
