Workers’ compensation covers most employees who work in South Carolina. This system was developed to provide workers with financial assistance if they experience a work-related illness or injury. Therefore, if you have been hurt or become sick while on the job, you have the right to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and injuries.
This may seem like a simple process, but the truth is that employers, businesses, and their insurance companies do not always approve workers’ compensation claims, even if they are straightforward and show that an individual was injured on the job. A South Carolina workers’ compensation lawyer from Shelly Leeke Law Firm will have the experience and education to handle any type of workers’ compensation claim. Our Greenville personal injury attorneys are ready to fight for your rights to workers compensation.
Standing Up for Your Rights as a Worker
Whether your claim is reduced, terminated, or denied, our workers’ compensation lawyers will stand up for you and your rights to get the financial assistance you deserve. We will be glad to step in and assist you with this complicated matter and ensure you comprehend every step of your case as it moves forward. Talk to workers’ compensation attorneys in Greenville, SC, about your injury and how you can recover compensation with a claim if you are going to miss time at work.
Injuries & Accidents that Happen in the Greenville Workplace
Injuries and accidents are very common in the workplace. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that close to 3,000 work-related injuries and illnesses were reported in South Carolina in 2020. The number of fatal workplace injuries in South Carolina that same year was 102.
At any company or business, workers face a risk of injury. You can operate machines, sit in an office, or stand on your feet the entire day. It does not matter what type of position you hold; you can still find yourself hurt in a workplace accident. The following are a few of the common work-related injuries we have seen:
- Amputations
- Cuts
- Strains
- Broken or fractured bones
- Burns
- Injuries from repetitive use
- Improper lifting and carrying injuries
- Toxic exposures
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Paralysis
- Deaths
As you can see, the types of occupational injuries that individuals may experience vary. A machine or equipment piece may become defective and cut you, you may accidentally turn something over on top of you, or you may develop carpal tunnel syndrome from repeatedly doing the same tasks.
What You Should Do After Experiencing a Workplace Accident or Injury
After experiencing a work-related injury, you should inform your boss, supervisor, or employer about your injury as quickly as possible. According to the South Carolina Code of Laws, you must report your injury within 90 days, and your claim must be filed within two years. Here are the steps you should follow after being injured on the job:
- Let someone know you have been injured (preferably your employer or boss).
- Seek medical attention immediately or as soon as possible.
- Listen and follow your doctor’s orders. If they say you cannot work for a certain period, do not go to work. This could affect your workers’ compensation if you do not follow your doctor’s instructions.
- Hire a South Carolina workers’ compensation attorney.
You must know not to sign anything or speak in detail about your work-related incident until you consult a Greenville workers’ compensation attorney. This is because you may unknowingly sign or say something that could result in the denial of your workers’ compensation claim. A knowledgeable lawyer at Shelly Leeke Law Firm can explain the legal options you have, go over your rights, and assist you with navigating the workers’ compensation process.
Employees Who Are Covered by Workers’ Compensation in South Carolina
Workers’ compensation covers almost every worker in South Carolina. A company must possess workers’ compensation for each employee if it has at least four employees. This includes part-time employees and family members employed by local businesses.
There are a few exemptions, including the following:
- The payroll is less than $3,000 per year
- Agricultural employees
- Railroads and railway express companies
- Federal employees
- State and county fair association
- Owner-operator drivers
- Real estate agents who are paid based on commission
Keep in mind that workers’ compensation claims differ from other claims. You do not need proof of negligence to file a workers’ compensation claim. However, it is not uncommon for employers to dispute a claim stating that the employee was negligent of their company’s policies and rules when the accident happened.
Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits Offered in South Carolina
The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission states that there are three types of benefits when it comes to occupational injuries. These benefits include permanent disability, medical benefits, and lost wages. There are currently no workers’ compensation benefits for pain and suffering in South Carolina.
When you have questions about workers’ compensation benefits, speak to workers’ compensation attorneys about your case. You have rights under South Carolina laws when injured on the job. Be sure to protect yourself as soon as you suffer an injury on the job by reporting it to your supervisor and seeking medical care.
These two items can ensure that your case is not dismissed.
Contact Our Devoted Team at Shelly Leeke Law Firm to Handle Your Case
If you have recently been hurt or became sick on the job, our workers’ compensation lawyers in Greenville will help you with your workers’ compensation claim. At Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we represent clients dealing with workers’ compensation issues throughout South Carolina. Our dedicated lawyers will work diligently to build a strong case proving that you were injured and need workers’ compensation to make it through these trying times.
If you allow us to take on your case, we will handle the hurdles and hoops that the workers’ compensation system throws at us while you focus on your recovery process. To find out more or to schedule a meeting with our attorneys, fill out our contact form today.
