Workplace injuries cost companies millions of dollars each year. The effects on workers are even more stark. In addition to needing expensive medical care, workers usually need time off from work, which means no income coming in the door. Serious injuries require rest and time off from work.

Hart Law has helped many workers seek compensation following an accident. South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system covers most workers in the state, but approval for benefits is not automatic. Many workers with significant injuries are denied benefits or forced to go back to work too soon. For legal help with your case, contact our office to speak with a Dentsville workplace injury attorney.

Our law firm serves injured workers throughout Columbia, SC, and the surrounding area. Whether you suffered minor injuries or devastating injuries that have changed your life, our injury lawyers are here to help you understand your rights and pursue every dollar you deserve.

We Help with All Types of Injuries and Accidents

Workers’ compensation covers on-the-job injuries. Anyone injured due to their job conditions can probably file a claim.

Our firm is particularly experienced with:

  • Struck-by accidents. A worker can be struck by falling materials or motor vehicles.
  • Caught in between accidents. A worker can have a limb caught in a machine or be pinned against the ground by heavy materials or machinery.
  • Falls. Many workers slip and fall at the workplace, or they can fall from several levels to the ground at a construction site.
  • Toxic exposure. Toxic substances at a worksite can lead to occupational illnesses, including cancer or respiratory diseases.
  • Excessive noise. Loud jobsites often result in hearing loss and sometimes total deafness.
  • Repetitive strain injuries. Tiny repetitive motions can lead to inflammation and compressed nerves. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common example.
  • Overexertion. This is one of the most common injuries. A worker can strain or sprain muscles when pushing, pulling, or lifting.
  • Motor vehicle accidents. Some workers are struck in a parking lot or job site by a motor vehicle. Others travel as part of their job and are struck while working.

Questions about whether you can file for workers’ comp? Reach out to our office. We’ll listen to your story and analyze your rights under the law. Our workers’ comp lawyers handle all types of work injury cases, from broken bones and spinal cord injuries to traumatic brain injury and spinal injuries caused by falls.

Construction workers, warehouse employees, delivery drivers, and office workers all face different risks on the job. No matter what type of work injury you suffered, our legal team can review your workers’ compensation claim and advise you on the best path forward.

Common Workplace Injuries We See

Some work injuries are visible and easy to document. Others, like spinal injuries, traumatic brain injury, or repetitive strain conditions, develop over time and require detailed medical evidence to support a claim. Either way, our injury lawyers know how to build a strong case.

Workplace injuries we frequently handle include:

  • Traumatic brain injury from falls or struck-by accidents
  • Spinal cord injuries and spinal injuries from heavy lifting or falls
  • Rotator cuff injuries from repetitive overhead work
  • Broken bones from machinery accidents or construction falls
  • Severe injury to limbs or extremities
  • Occupational illnesses from toxic exposure
  • Hearing loss from long-term noise exposure

Devastating injuries like these often require ongoing medical treatment, future medical needs, and long recovery periods. Workers cannot afford to lose wages during that time. Our Columbia workers’ compensation attorneys fight to make sure injured employees receive the full workers’ compensation benefits they are owed.

What Benefits Can You Receive?

Workers should receive medical care benefits. A worker should not have to pay out of pocket for any necessary and reasonable medical care. An employer can decide which doctor you meet with, so be sure to check after being hurt.

Injured workers often need to miss time from work. The state makes a variety of disability or wage loss benefits available for workers who are totally or partially disabled. The amount you receive will depend on your average weekly wage, as well as your level of impairment. Workers’ compensation benefits also cover medical bills, medical expenses, and the cost of ongoing medical treatment related to the work injury.

If a worker dies in an accident or from an occupational illness, then wholly dependent family members might receive a death benefit. The benefit includes burial expenses, as well as weekly wage loss benefits. In some cases, a wrongful death claim may also be available if a third party other than the employer caused or contributed to the accident that led to the worker’s death.

South Carolina workers may also be entitled to temporary or permanent disability benefits depending on the nature and severity of the work injury. A permanent disability rating from a doctor will affect how much compensation an injured worker can receive long-term. Our workers’ comp lawyers review every aspect of your case to make sure no benefit is left unclaimed.

Why Are Workers Denied Benefits?

Although workers’ comp is a no-fault system, some workers do not receive everything they deserve. Some common reasons include:

  • Pre-existing injuries
  • Non-covered injury
  • Lack of medical evidence for the injury
  • Late reporting or filing a workers’ compensation claim
  • Not an employee

Consult Hart Law if your application is denied. We have the experience to gather sufficient evidence in support of a claim and can handle any appeal. Workers’ compensation insurance companies look for any reason to deny or reduce a claim. They may argue that a work injury was pre-existing, that the accident occurred outside of work, or that there is not enough medical evidence to support the claim. Do not let a denial be the end of the road. Our injury lawyers fight denials every day.

Having detailed medical records, a clear account of how the workplace accident occurred, and a strong workers’ compensation claim from the start gives you the best chance of approval. Our Columbia personal injury attorneys and workers’ comp lawyers know what insurance companies look for and how to respond.

When Workers’ Comp Is Not Enough

Workers’ compensation covers most work injuries, but it does not cover everything. Workers’ comp does not pay for pain and suffering, and it limits the damages you can recover. In some situations, a personal injury lawsuit against a third party may be possible alongside your workers’ comp claim.

For example, if a car accident on the job was caused by another driver’s negligence, you may have a personal injury claim against that driver. If defective equipment caused your work injury, a product liability case against the manufacturer may be an option. A personal injury lawsuit can allow you to seek lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages not covered by workers’ comp.

Our law firm handles both workers’ comp cases and personal injury cases, so we can look at your situation from every angle and identify all paths to financial recovery. Whether you need help with a workers’ comp claim, a personal injury claim, or both, our injury attorney team is here for you.

FAQs about Workers’ Comp in Dentsville

What are deadlines regarding workers’ compensation?

You must report the accident or illness to your employer within 90 days of the accident or diagnosis. Don’t delay. South Carolina law states you might not receive any benefits if you wait too long. Also, a worker should file their workers’ compensation claim within one year. Notifying your employer of an accident is not the same thing as filing a claim. Missing these deadlines is one of the most common mistakes injury victims make, and it can result in losing their right to workers’ compensation benefits entirely.

Can I sue my employer for compensation for an accident?

No. Workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy for most workers. But you might be able to sue someone other than your employer. For example, a ladder might collapse due to a manufacturing defect. The injured worker can bring a product liability claim against the manufacturer. A Columbia personal injury attorney can review the facts of your case and identify whether a personal injury lawsuit is an option alongside your workers’ comp case.

What is the first step to take after an accident?

Seek medical care. And then report the accident to your boss. Those steps will increase the odds of making a full recovery and preserve your legal rights. Documenting visible injuries with photos, keeping copies of all medical records, and writing down what happened while it is fresh can all strengthen your workers’ comp claim and any personal injury case that follows.

What can I do if my employer cuts off workers’ compensation benefits?

There are many reasons this might happen. Your doctor could clear you to return to work despite lingering disabilities. If you refuse, then they can cut off benefits. Reach out to our law firm if this has happened to you. The workers’ compensation insurance company may also push to terminate benefits before you have fully recovered. Our workers’ comp lawyers know how to challenge these decisions and fight to keep benefits flowing until you are truly ready to return to work.

How much do workers’ comp lawyers charge?

Most workers’ comp lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no legal fees upfront. Fees are taken from any settlement or award we recover on your behalf. This means injured clients can get experienced legal representation without worrying about the cost. We are happy to explain the attorney-client relationship and how legal fees work during a free consultation.

What if my workers’ comp claim is denied?

A denial is not the end. South Carolina workers have the right to appeal a denied workers’ comp claim. Our Columbia workers’ compensation attorneys handle the full claims process, including appeals before administrative law judges. We gather medical evidence, document how the workplace accident occurred, and present the strongest possible case on your behalf.

Can I choose my own doctor for a work injury?

Generally, no. In South Carolina, your employer or their workers’ compensation insurance company has the right to direct your medical care. There are limited exceptions. However, if you are not receiving adequate care or feel the recommended treatment is not meeting your needs, our injury lawyer team can help you explore your options and protect your right to fair compensation.

Call a Dentsville Workplace Injury Attorney

Hart Law has the necessary experience to file or appeal a workers’ compensation claim. We can also negotiate a fair settlement once you reach maximum medical improvement. Call our office at (803) 771-7701 to schedule your free consultation.

Our law firm proudly serves injured workers in Dentsville, Columbia, SC, and across South Carolina. Whether you are dealing with a straightforward workers’ comp case or a complex work injury involving multiple insurance companies and third-party claims, our legal team is ready to help. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced attorney who will fight for the workers’ compensation benefits and fair compensation you deserve.