After many years of hard work behind the wheel, one seemingly ordinary day changed everything for a 61-year-old, seasoned South Carolina truck driver. Instead of coming home, he was rushed to the hospital. A serious truck accident on the job left him with severe injuries to his knee and hip, ultimately requiring both a total knee replacement and a total hip replacement. He quickly realized the legal process ahead would be too much to navigate alone. That’s when he turned to Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers for help.
Choosing the Right Team to Fight for His Future
Workers’ compensation claims can be complex, especially for older workers with serious, long-term injuries. To make matters worse, the driver shared equal fault in the wreck, ruling out any chance of pursuing a third-party personal injury claim against the other driver. This made a successful workers’ compensation settlement even more important, as it was his only path to recovery and long-term support.
The truck driver knew that if he wanted to get the treatment and financial support he needed, he’d need an experienced attorney in his corner. By teaming with Attorney Sarah Khouri at Joye Law Firm’s Columbia office, he found all the support, strategy, and persistence required to take on the insurance system and win.
Securing Permanent and Total Disability Before Surgery
In South Carolina, medical treatment for injured workers is controlled by the employer’s workers’ comp insurance company. That means injured employees typically cannot choose their own doctors or surgeons. Before hiring Joye Law Firm, our client had been under the knife for a total knee replacement as a result of this crash. He hoped to resolve his case early so he could choose his own surgeon for his hip surgery instead of one appointed by the workers’ compensation system.
However, reaching a settlement before completing a major surgery, makes it far more difficult to obtain permanent and total disability benefits, something rarely granted under such conditions. Yet for workers whose injuries prevent them from returning to their previous line of work, such as commercial truck driving, this classification can be the only path to long-term financial stability and medical care.
Through focused preparation and skilled negotiation during mediation, Attorney Khouri defeated the odds, securing a $265,000 settlement that included permanent and total disability benefits and future medical coverage.
Why the Case Was So Unique and Challenging
Several factors helped support Attorney Sarah Khouri’s case for lifelong disability coverage and early settlement:
- Our client had already undergone a total knee replacement
- His age and education level limited his ability to retain or find similar employment
- Medical evidence showed he could not return to his previous job due to lasting impairment
Even with these supporting details, securing permanent and total disability before the second surgery was no easy feat. The workers’ comp insurance company pushed back, but ultimately, the Joye Law Firm team prevailed.
A Strong Future Thanks to the Right Legal Help
With his case now resolved, our client is finally free to schedule his total hip replacement with a doctor he trusts, not one dictated by the insurance company. He also retains the ability to apply for Social Security Disability benefits since the outcome of his workers’ compensation case was based on permanent disability.
What could have been a drawn-out, uncertain battle ended with the stability, care, and financial peace of mind this hardworking man deserved. This case shows how the right legal strategy, especially early in the process, can lead to life-changing outcomes.
If you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury on the job, don’t wait to get help. Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers has the experience and commitment to fight for your future, just like we did for this client.
Disclaimer: Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
