Workplace accidents injure thousands of people across South Carolina in a year. Workers and their families often feel overwhelmed by fears of what comes next. They express anxiety about how they can pay their rent or mortgage, along with other bills. Thankfully, the state’s workers’ compensation system will usually step in and pay medical bills and provide some wage loss support. But workers often need a trusted advocate in their corner to help them navigate this confusing system.

Contact Hart Law to speak with a Lancaster workers’ compensation lawyer. We offer free consultations to those hurt on the job.

A Closer Look at Workers’ Compensation in South Carolina

Before the state adopted its workers’ compensation system, any injured employee needed to show their employer was negligent before they could receive compensation. That process was slow and cumbersome. Meanwhile, workers who needed medical care often had to pay out of pocket and wait a year or more for a settlement.

The workers’ compensation system has changed all that. Now, workers are entitled to necessary medical care without any showing of fault. This no-fault system means that workers receive care faster.

You can also receive wage loss or disability benefits without showing fault, either. Nonetheless, there are limitations to the system. You only receive benefits if you are hurt while on the job. There needs to be a nexus or connection between your job and the injury or illness you suffer from. If you are hurt at home or while driving to work, then the accident is not normally covered.

How We Help Injured Workers

Anyone dealing with pain from a workplace injury will benefit from hiring Hart Law. Our firm can tackle a workers’ compensation claim and ensure it is submitted properly.

Hart Law can:

  • Review the facts to determine if you qualify for benefits.
  • Gather useful medical information and other evidence to support your case.
  • Analyze why a claim was denied.
  • Communicate with the insurance company that pays out workers’ compensation benefits.
  • Identify grounds for an appeal and file the appeal before the deadline.
  • Prepare for a hearing and represent our client by presenting evidence.

You Deserve Benefits

Anyone injured on the job should receive benefits for:

Medical Treatment

Injured workers should never have to pay a bill. Instead, your employer’s insurance should cover all medical costs related to diagnosis, doctor’s visits, surgery, hospital overnights, rehabilitation, and pain management. Sometimes disagreements arise over whether certain treatment is necessary or too experimental, but a lawyer can help advocate for you.

Wage Loss Benefits

Workers might qualify for wage loss benefits if they cannot work. Typically, you get about 2/3 of your average weekly wage, up to a certain maximum. The system will cut off benefits after a certain amount of time, as well as when you have healed enough to return to work.

Permanent Disability Compensation

Some workers remain disabled even after years of treatment. You might receive these benefits if you have an ongoing disability, such as an amputation. Other workers are totally disabled so work is out of the question. Permanent disability compensation is often paid out as a lump sum, and you should work with a lawyer for help.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim

Many of our clients can supplement workers’ compensation with a personal injury claim. Although you cannot sue your employer, you might have a claim based on:

  •  Negligent subcontractors, vendors, or customers.
  •  Defective equipment or products.
  •  Dangerous property conditions.
  •  Intentional attacks from coworkers or members of the public.

We are happy to discuss whether a third-party claim is a realistic option for you.

Answering Important Questions Regarding Lancaster Workers’ Compensation

Are There Deadlines I Must Meet?

Yes. The most important thing is to report the accident to your supervisor immediately or as soon as you can after the accident. In no case should you wait more than 90 days, because you can lose the ability to receive compensation. (South Carolina Code § 42-15-20.)

Will My Employer Fight My Claim?

The claim is usually handled by your employer’s insurance. Your employer is not usually involved. However, some employers might try to avoid a claim to keep their premiums low.

What if My Employer Did Not Purchase Workers’ Compensation?

In that case, a worker has options. You might submit a claim to the state’s Industrial Commission. They can pay compensation to workers whose employers are uninsured. Another option is to sue your employer directly. If they do not buy a policy, then they are not shielded from lawsuits. Contact our office to discuss all options.

Contact a Lancaster Workplace Injury Attorney at Hart Law

We provide free and confidential meetings with injured workers to go over their legal options. A seasoned lawyer is available to meet at a convenient location and time. Contact us today by calling (803) 771-7701.