Whether you are working in a factory or at a desk, work accidents can happen at any time. They can occur without warning, and sometimes, they can leave you completely unable to work. If you are unable to work, you need workers’ compensation benefits to support you during this time.
Unfortunately, getting the benefits you are due is not always easy. That is where your Myrtle Beach workers’ compensation lawyer at Shelly Leeke Law Firm can step in. We are ready to stand up for your needs and take action. Talk with a Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyer at our firm about your options and what you can do to get the help you need – There is no fee unless we win.
Types of Cases Where a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Myrtle Beach Can Help
Not all work injuries earn you workers’ compensation benefits. In some cases, you may instead need to file a claim with a Myrtle Beach workers’ compensation attorney. Typically, this happens when the accident is not directly related to your employment or when seeking workers’ compensation is not an option.
For example, you may have been struck by a car while on your work site. While you were acting as an employee at the time, you may need to sue the third party who injured you instead. If you suspect something is wrong or that you will not get your benefits, reach out to our team. We can determine your best course of action and set you on the right path to getting compensated fairly.
Qualifying for a Workers’ Comp Case
Typically, workers’ compensation cases include any case where you are injured or fell ill as a result of your job. Slipping and falling in the office, for example, or being injured by the machines you use are both potentially valid claims. The injury or illness must be related to your work. For example, if you suffered a heart attack on the job but you suffer from a genetic condition that impacts your heart’s health, you may not have grounds for workers’ compensation.
South Carolina’s Workers’ Compensation Process
When you are first injured on the job, your first step is to report the accident and the injury, as well as seek medical attention. This means your employer knows about the accident as soon as possible. This means fewer gaps that you will have to wait for benefits, and it means getting the treatment you need now so your injuries do not worsen.
Once you have reported your accident, your employer must then report the accident to their workers’ compensation insurance company. The insurance company will review the details of the accident. It will determine whether the company is liable and calculate what damages you are owed.
Once these steps have been completed, you should receive your benefits. That leaves you with the time and resources to focus on your health and recovery. Talk to your workers’ compensation attorney in Myrtle Beach if you are struggling to get the benefits you are due following your accident.
Benefits You Could Collect in a Myrtle Beach Workers’ Compensation Case
After a work accident, you should not have to pay out of pocket for your injuries. Employers are responsible for maintaining a safe working environment, and they are responsible for taking care of employees who are injured on the job. Here are just a few of the benefits you can expect.
Medical Benefits
After a work accident, chances are good that you have suffered an injury. Whether that injury is as small as a sprained ankle or as severe as brain trauma or a spinal cord injury, you should not have to pay out of your own pocket for your recovery. That is where your benefits come in.
Your medical bills should be covered in full for all care related to your injuries. This includes future medical expenses as long as you do not accept a lump sum settlement offer absolving the insurer from future financial liability. Talk with your workers’ compensation lawyer in Myrtle Beach if you are having trouble getting your bills paid.
Indemnity Benefits
Your work injury may have made it impossible to return to work for weeks, months, or even years. While you may have your medical expenses covered by other benefits, you need an income to keep you and your family housed, fed, and taken care of. Indemnity benefits, also called disability benefits or wage replacement benefits, cover a portion of your wages when you are unable to work, providing for you so you can focus on regaining your health.
Death Benefits
Unfortunately, you may have been a loved one of a worker who passed away due to a work-related injury. That leaves you handling not just your own grief but also the lack of income and the funeral and burial expenses. Fortunately, workers’ compensation benefits can help reduce this burden.
Loved ones of the deceased may receive aid for these expenses under the South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 42, Chapter 1, §42-1-110. You may also receive lost wages payments that may continue until death or remarriage for spouses or until they are 18 years old for children of the deceased. If you are unsure whether you qualify for death benefits, do not hesitate to contact our legal team for personalized answers.
Dealing with a Workers’ Compensation Claim Denial
Sadly, many Myrtle Beach workers find themselves denied the compensation they need after a work accident right away. Despite the insurance company’s financial responsibilities, it is not unusual for insurers to deny the claims of even the most deserving of applicants. This happens for many reasons, including the following:
- Missed deadlines
- The injury does not qualify
- The insurance company believes your injuries aren’t that severe
- The injury was caused by a third party
- Bad faith actions on the insurer’s part
If you have faced any of these reasons for denial, or if you believe you were otherwise wrongfully denied, talk to Shelly Leeke Law Firm. Your workers’ compensation benefits can make a significant difference in your quality of life, and you should not have to settle for less or for nothing. We can guide you through the process of getting compensated fairly for your claim.
Myrtle Beach Workers’ Compensation FAQ
What Are Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits?
Vocational rehabilitation benefits may be available to you if your injuries are so serious you cannot continue working, even after having reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). The insurance company will pay for you to go back to school or receive additional job training so you can re-enter the workforce despite your permanent disability. This way, you will not be dependent on workers’ compensation benefits and can eventually provide for yourself and your family on your own.
What Do I Do if I Cannot Afford to Hire a Workers’ Comp Attorney?
When you choose to hire a workers’ compensation attorney in Myrtle Beach, you do not need to worry about the cost. Shelly Leeke Law Firm works for our clients on contingency in accordance with South Carolina Judicial Branch Rule 1.5: Fees. You will never see a legal bill from us unless we win your case.
If we lose, you pay nothing. If we win, a previously agreed-upon percentage of your settlement will cover our fees.
How Long Can I Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
Generally, workers’ compensation benefits can be collected until you are physically capable of returning to work, whether that is on a part-time or full-time basis. If you can return to work on a part-time basis, you can continue to receive workers’ comp, but at a reduced rate. If you reach the maximum number of weeks allowable based on the type of injury you sustained, your workers’ comp benefits may convert to disability benefits or be terminated.
Speak with a Leading Myrtle Beach Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
When you are hurt in a work accident, you may have a hard time getting the workers’ compensation benefits you are entitled to. These benefits can help you overcome your injuries and return to work. But you may be unsure of what will happen if you are denied or not offered the full benefits you are due.
If you are struggling to get covered, talk with our team at Shelly Leeke Law Firm. We offer free consultations, so you can speak with a Myrtle Beach workers’ compensation attorney before you make any decisions about your claim. When you are hurt and need help with your recovery, we are here to help. Reach out for your free consultation by calling our office or filling out our online contact form.
