COVID-19 Legal Update: Georgia

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Workers' Compensation Administrative board/ commission

State Board of Workers' Compensation

 

How does the state define an occupational disease?

Section 34-9-280(2) "Occupational disease" means those diseases which arise out of and in the course of the particular trade, occupation, process, or employment in which the employee is exposed to such disease, provided the employee or the employee's dependents first prove to the satisfaction of the State Board of Workers' Compensation one of the following: (A) A direct causal connection between the conditions under which the work is performed and the disease; (B) That the disease followed as a natural incident of exposure by reason of the employment; (C) That the disease is not of a character to which the employee may have had substantial exposure outside of the employment; (D) that the disease is not an ordinary disease of life to which the general public is exposed; (E) That the disease must appear to have had its origin in a risk connected with the employment and to have flowed from that source as a natural consequence.

 

COVid-19 Specific Laws, agency declarations/ press releases, or enacted regulation?

Hearings Postponed / Deadline Extension 
3/17/2020 

SBWC Guidance Adding Telemedicine to the Medical Fee Schedule
4/1/2020 

SBWC Extends Deadlines & Continues to Postpone Hearings until May 13, 2020 
4/7/2020 

             SBWC Extends Deadlines & Continues to Postpone Hearings until June 12, 2020 
            5/12/2020 

             SBWC Extends Deadlines & Continues to Postpone Hearings until July 12, 2020 
            6/12/2020 

             SBWC Guidelines for In Person Hearings after July 12, 2020 
            7/1/2020

            Enacted Legislation: Liability Immunity for COVID-19
            8/5/2020 

Court Closures & Modified Call

Notice for Hearings and Mediations

 

Is the administrative court system closed or open?

Open - hearings postponed and mediations held by telephone through 7/12/20.

 

Does this state have a shelter-in-place in order?

For vulnerable individuals only:  No - order was 4/3/20 to 6/12/20.

For all others:  No - order was 4/3/20 to 4/30/20; limited re-opening prior to 4/30/20.

 

Any state-specific guidance on disability, unemployment, or health benefits for COVID-19?

Unemployment

OISF Commissioner's Bulletin Regarding Loss of Health Insurance Due to COVID-19

 

Last Updated: 2/1/2021