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Church exterior — workers' compensation claim guide for Georgia ministries

Workers' Compensation: When a Church Employee Is Injured on the Job

Claims Guide

Matthew Campbell
↓ Download this guide (PDF)

When a church employee is hurt on the job, make sure they get medical care first, then report it promptly — in Georgia, workers’ compensation claims are time-sensitive. Document what happened and call MinistrySure at (770) 716-0180; we file the claim with your carrier and walk you through it.

What to do right now

  • Get the employee medical care. Their health comes first.
  • Write down the facts: who was injured, the date and time, what they were doing, what part of the body was hurt, and any witnesses.
  • File the notice of injury — the employer’s First Report of Injury — with your carrier promptly. That notice is what formally opens the workers’ comp claim.
  • Report it promptly — don’t wait to see if it “turns into something.”
  • Appoint one point of contact — usually a supervisor or office manager — so the carrier, the treating doctor’s office, and the employee all coordinate through one person. One voice in, one voice out keeps the claim clean.
  • Write down everyone you talk to — name, company, role, and date. A workers’ comp claim runs through the carrier, the treating provider, and sometimes a nurse case manager; a log is how you keep it moving.
  • Call us so we can file it and stay on it with you.

What to expect

The carrier handles the employee’s medical treatment and any wage benefits under workers’ compensation. The employee may need follow-up care before they’re cleared to return to work. How a claim is handled can affect your experience rating over time, which is one more reason to report it correctly from the start.

Your part

Report promptly, keep good records, and support the employee’s recovery and return to work. If you’re not sure whether an injury qualifies, report it anyway and we’ll sort it out.

How MinistrySure helps

You call us first. We file the workers’ comp claim with your carrier, answer your questions (Georgia requires coverage at three or more employees), and stay with you and your employee through the process.

Claims questions answered

Who counts as an employee for workers' comp in Georgia?

If your ministry has three or more employees — including part-time staff like nursery workers, custodians, and administrative help — Georgia law requires workers' compensation. Volunteers are generally not counted. If you're unsure whether someone is covered, call us.

How fast do we need to report an injury?

Promptly — the same day if you can. Reporting late can delay the employee's benefits and complicate the claim. When in doubt, report it; it's far better than waiting.

A volunteer was hurt while serving — does that go through workers' comp?

Usually not — volunteers typically aren't covered by workers' compensation. A volunteer injury is generally handled under different coverage. Report it to us either way and we'll route it correctly.

To start a claim, use our online form or call (770) 716-0180. We report it to your carrier and stay with you through it.

This guide is general information, not coverage advice. Coverage determinations are made by your insurance carrier based on your policy. MinistrySure Insurance is your agency and advocate — we help you report the claim and stay with you through the process; we do not adjust or pay claims.

MinistrySure is an independent insurance agency in Loganville, Georgia specializing exclusively in churches, Christian schools, colleges, and faith-based ministries. Led by brothers Michael and Matthew Campbell — with 30 years of combined experience in church insurance — MinistrySure serves 700+ Georgia ministries as a preferred Brotherhood Mutual agency.