In the state of Georgia, independent contractors, also known as «1099 workers,» are not considered employees of the companies they work for and therefore have no legal right to make claims against their employers. However, many companies and employers take advantage of this status to classify some of their workers as independent contractors and exploit loopholes in payroll regulations and higher workers’ compensation insurance premiums.
When employers profit from the system, it’s time to assert your rights by hiring one of our independent contractor compensation attorneys in Atlanta. At Cruz & Associates, we are ready to defend your rights and assist you in filing that workers’ compensation claim you so desperately need.
Our attorneys have over 25 years of experience handling the most difficult cases, including those involving injured independent contractors.
What options are available for independent contractors who have suffered an accident at work?
Although the law states that an independent contractor who has suffered a workplace accident cannot receive the same benefits as a company employee, other options exist to defend their rights in the event of an injury. Many workers who have been misclassified by their employers often require legal counsel to prove their true employment status. This does not depend on how their employer has classified them on the payroll, but rather on the duties they perform and the hiring process they have undergone.
In cases where the employer has conducted a thorough interview with the prospective «independent contractor,» in addition to a hiring and onboarding process, this qualifies the contractor as a full-time employee of the company. Even a written agreement signed by both parties stipulating that the contractor is independent is insufficient to legally classify the worker as an independent contractor. Another important consideration is payment. While independent contractors receive payment upon completion of their work, regular employees are paid hourly or weekly, which is a key difference.
Also read: Types of Workplace Injuries
What can be expected in a trial for independent contractors?
Cuando un contratista independiente sufre una lesión en su lugar de trabajado puede realizar una reclamación demandando daños personales. El trabajador lesionado deberá probar que su empleador tenía el deber de evitar que estas lesiones ocurrieran, por tanto la previsión de las lesiones son un factor de suma importancia.
Si un contratista se encuentra trabajando en una reforma y no es informado sobre el estado real de los pisos, paredes o techo y a causa de ello sufre un accidente, puede realizar una demanda ya que su empleador debía proporcionarle esta vital información para prevenir un accidente. Independientemente de cómo los hayan calificado sus empleadores, todo trabajador contratista puede tener derecho a reclamar una indemnización según sea su caso.
En Cruz y Asociados contamos con el mejor equipo de compensación al contratista en Atlanta, no obstante, podemos cubrir casos en Fulton County, Gwinnett County y Cobb County. ¡Contátenos y reciba la compensación que merece!
