Your Rights To South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Benefits
The South Carolina workers’ compensation system is designed to pay the medical bills and provide support for workers who are injured on the job. Most workers in South Carolina may expect compensation for a work-related injury or death by accident. Workers’ compensation pays for medical treatment, loss of wages while you’re out of work and compensation for permanent disability or disfigurement. The disability or death of a worker as a result of a work-related illness also may entitle an employee or the employee’s family to compensation.
As defined under South Carolina law, an employee does not have to be totally disabled to recover permanent disability benefits. Most injured workers with significant injuries receive a scheduled member disability recovery related to the body part(s) injured. These benefits may be recovered even if the injured worker has returned to his or her pre-accident job.
The amount an injured worker ultimately receives varies, depending on the severity of the injury and whether the worker had an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer advocating for his or her rights.
The experienced attorneys at Joye Law Firm will work to get you the benefits that you deserve for a workplace injury or occupational disease. Since 1968, we have helped injured workers like you obtain the benefits that you need to regain control of your life. Joye Law Firm has offices in Charleston and Myrtle Beach. We have successfully represented clients all over the state, including North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Goose Creek, Summerville, and Moncks Corner.
To discuss your claim, call Joye at (888) 324-3100 or fill out our free online case evaluation form.
Statistics on South Carolina Workers’ Compensation
The South Carolina workers’ compensation system is a no-fault system. That means that a worker’s medical bills are covered no matter who is at fault in a workplace accident, and the employer’s liability is limited. An injured worker must report the injury to the employer within 90 days. Employers in South Carolina are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to pay benefits to injured workers, unless they have been found to be financially stable enough to qualify as a self-insurer.
Workers’ compensation generally pays for surgery, hospitalization, medical supplies, prosthetics and medication. Still, obtaining workers’ compensation benefits is a complex process involving legal hearings, analyzing medical records, and dealing with insurance companies. Not surprisingly, disputes often arise about the extent of a worker’s injury, the cause of a disease or the amount of settlement or future benefits that a worker is entitled to collect.
There were more than 57,000 new workers’ compensation accident cases filed with the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission in 2009-2010, according to the commission’s annual report. Meanwhile, the commission closed more than 62,000 cases, and more than $824 million in compensation and medical costs were paid in closed cases. Injured workers filed appeals in more than 600 cases because they were dissatisfied with the outcome of the initial hearing.
There are many reasons for the denial of workers’ compensation benefits. Some denials result from common mistakes that many injured workers make when representing themselves in filing a disability claim. Some mistakes can limit your ability to appeal a case. Some errors can limit the amount of Social Security disability benefits you will receive or cause your medical coverage to be canceled when you need it most.
Complicated Cases Demand An Experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Because the workers’ compensation system is complex, you should have a highly qualified South Carolina workers’ compensation attorney guiding you through the process and around the pitfalls. Your employer’s insurance carrier will certainly have defense lawyers looking out for the insurance company’s best interests. You should have an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer advocating on your behalf.
If you’ve been injured in a South Carolina workplace accident, you can trust the dedicated workers’ compensation attorneys at Joye Law Firm to get you the money and benefits you are entitled to receive. We have successfully represented working people all over the state, including Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Goose Creek, Summerville, and Moncks Corner.
To discuss your claim, call Joye at (888) 324-3100 or fill out our free online case evaluation form.
