Losing the ability to work is devastating for Rock Hill families. Unfortunately, hundreds of workers are injured each year in various accidents. Instead of earning money, they are stuck at home or in the hospital trying to recover.

Hart Law is a firm committed to helping injured workers in South Carolina. We have deep experience in workers’ compensation claims and can advise injured workers of their rights to receive benefits. Our firm also has experience in personal injury law to bring a case against the person responsible for your accident. Schedule a consultation with our Rock Hill workers’ compensation lawyer.

Eligibility for Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Workers qualify for these benefits if they are injured while performing work duties.  These are no-fault benefits, so workers do not have to spend time proving who is responsible for the accident. It is enough that you are injured while on the job.

Anyone injured should quickly receive medical care and then report the accident to their supervisor. If you do not report within 90 days, you could be denied compensation. (South Carolina Code § 42-15-20.)

Benefits for Injured Workers

South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system makes a variety of benefits available for workers who are hurt at work:

  • Medical care. An injured worker should not have to pay for reasonable and necessary medical treatment out of pocket. Instead, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer should pick up the tab for all care that is necessary. However, they can also instruct you on which doctor to visit, so be sure to meet with the doctor of their choice; otherwise, benefits might be denied.
  • Wage replacement benefits. A worker can receive a portion of their average weekly paycheck if they cannot work, or if they can work only fewer hours. These wage loss benefits are based on your average weekly wage before the injury. Usually, you receive 66.67% of that amount.
  • Disability benefits. Workers who are disabled can receive benefits based on their average income. Currently, South Carolina sets a maximum of 500 weeks for disability benefits, although someone permanently disabled might receive them for life.

Call our office to discuss what benefits are available. We have fought for clients to prevent early termination of benefits when employers wrongly believe our clients are well enough to return to work.

You Can Afford Our Services

Money is tight after an accident. Workers spend many sleepless nights wondering how they can cover their bills when they are in too much agony to work. Helpfully, you can hire Hart Law with no upfront cost. Our firm represents workers on contingency fee agreements, which means we only get paid a portion of your settlement if we win. These agreements remove the risk from the worker.

Why Workers’ Compensation Claims Are Denied

Not every injured worker is immediately approved for benefits. Some struggle to get their claims approved.

Common reasons for denial include:

  • Waiting too long to report the accident
  • Delaying the filing of a workers’ compensation claim
  • Pre-existing injury or an injury outside the scope of employment
  • Uncovered injury
  • Lack of medical evidence
  • Intentional self-injury

Our office is ready to review all the evidence and see if you can bring an appeal.

Common Questions on Workplace Injuries in Rock Hill

Can I Sue My Employer For the Accident?

No. Even if the accident is their fault, you cannot bring a lawsuit if you receive workers’ compensation. This is the exclusive remedy against your employer. However, you might have a valid legal claim against someone else, like a vendor or customer who injured you, or you might sue the manufacturer of a product that didn’t work as expected.

What Is The Average Workers’ Compensation Claim?

There are many parts. First is the value of your medical care. That can vary dramatically, depending on the severity of your injury. Next, your own salary impacts how much you can receive. Some workers end up receiving $30,000 for a claim, but others receive much more. We can provide more targeted advice in a consultation.

Can My Family Receive Benefits If a Loved One Died?

Possibly. South Carolina’s workers’ compensation program does offer death benefits. Certain family members (such as a spouse and children) can usually receive benefits. Call us so we can investigate.

Discuss Your Claim with a Rock Hill Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Accidents happen in the blink of an eye, but the fight to obtain fair compensation can take months. Contact Hart Law to begin the workers’ compensation claims process. Our legal team can discuss what happened and offer advice on how to bring your claim effectively. We can also investigate whether you have a strong third-party claim. Contact us today by calling (803) 771-7701.