Accidents at work can be more than just painful. They can leave you unable to work, in need of medical attention, and worried sick over your family’s financial future. In 2022 alone, South Carolina employees suffered 1,184 workplace injuries that resulted in days off work and 577 that required work modifications or job transfers.
In most cases, if you are injured at your workplace in Charleston, SC, your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages should be covered by workers’ compensation insurance. These benefits can help you get back on your feet and support you while you recover.
At Joye Law Firm, our workers’ compensation attorneys have decades of experience helping injured workers in South Carolina obtain the full benefits provided by law. Since 1968, we’ve represented thousands of injured employees in many types of workers’ compensation claims, including manufacturing accidents, construction injury accidents, car accidents, and heavy equipment accidents.
Our Case Results for Charleston Workers
Our past case results illustrate our commitment to protecting injured workers’ rights and our ability to help you get fair compensation. Our firm’s settlement awards include:
- Head of our Workers’ Comp Department, Attorney Matt Jackson, secured a $230,000 victory for a Charleston mechanic who sustained a serious back injury on the job. Dissatisfied with his former legal support, he turned to Joye Law Firm. We conducted a vocational evaluation that confirmed his permanent disability, resulting in a settlement that was over twice the original offer, which only recognized a 45% permanent disability.
- In another case, a loyal employee for almost four decades, suffered hearing loss from prolonged exposure to workplace noise. His employer initially rejected his request for hearing aids. Turning to Joye Law Firm for help, our determined legal team led by Managing Partner Ken Harrell overturned the employer’s refusal. Through relentless advocacy, we not only obtained the necessary hearing aids for our client but also won a $40,000 settlement, vastly surpassing the initial cost of the aids.
What is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a form of no-fault insurance providing wage replacement and medical benefits to workers injured on the job. This system ensures workers receive care and support following workplace accidents without having to prove negligence.
In South Carolina, most employees have access to benefits that cover medical costs and lost income, including:
- Medical expenses for workplace injuries or illnesses, including reimbursement for travel to and from medical appointments.
Coverage for lost wages, including time off for doctor’s appointments, without using personal time off (PTO).- Disability payments for those with temporary or permanent disabilities due to work.
- Death benefits for dependents of workers who have died from job-related causes.
Our workers’ compensation attorneys will fight to maximize your workers’ compensation benefits and help you find additional resources to help you move forward with your life. Some of these state and federal sponsored programs include:
- Vocational Rehabilitation to help injured workers find new employment after a disabling injury.
- Social Security Disability income replacement through the Social Security Administration if injuries prevent a worker from any sort of return to work.
- Scholarships for children of injured or deceased workers through Kids’ Chance of SC.
Am I Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
Employees of most South Carolina employers are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. South Carolina workers’ compensation law broadly defines who is an employee under Section 42-1-130:
- Any person under contract, apprenticeship, or agreement for work, including written or spoken terms.
- Covers both aliens and minors, whether employed legally or not.
- State employees include South Carolina State and National Guard members on specific duties, volunteer state constables, and most non-elected officers and employees.
- Municipal and subdivision workers include all non-elected officers and employees, except those in purely administrative roles with a set term.
- In cases of injury or death, legal representatives and dependents are included.
- Business owners can be covered under workers’ compensation if they are actively involved in business operations.
If your employer is questioning your right to benefits because of your job status, our workers’ compensation lawyers can help. We’ll review the circumstances of your work accident to determine if you should get benefits and guide you on how to claim what you’re owed.
Wage Replacement Benefits: You’re eligible for weekly benefits if you cannot work for more than seven days due to your injury. These benefits cover two-thirds of your average weekly wage and are payable from the eighth day of disability. If the disability extends beyond 14 days, compensation also includes the first seven days.
