Looking for advise,Things are at best hairy

[1171]

depends on if he is legal or not:
"Every employer, individual, firm, association, or corporation, regularly employing three
or more persons, part-time or full-time, shall provide workers' compensation insurance coverage."
if he is legally uninsured then you are able to file a civil suit.
if he is illegally uninsured then there is a fund to pay claims.
"An employer failing to provide coverage as required by law shall be held responsible for compensable injuries in the same manner as an employer having coverage. In addition, the Board may assess attorneys' fees, civil penalties and a 10% increase in compensation to the employee.
...
An Enforcement unit has been established at the Board. The number to call to report fraud including failure to secure workers' compensation coverage is (404) 657-7285."

http://www.sbwc.georgia.gov/portal/site/...01020aRCRD