Workers' Compensation Attorney in South Carolina

One of the most common questions injured workers ask is, “Do I have to use FMLA while I’m on workers’ comp?” A workplace injury can affect every part of your life at once and turn it upside down. Suddenly, you’re…

Conveyors, automated pallet wrappers, mobile robots, and other machinery are changing how goods move through American warehouses. Tasks that once required workers to repeatedly lift, carry, sort, or transport products can increasingly be handled or assisted by machines. That shift…

In many cases, workers’ compensation coverage still applies to remote workers. The focus is not on the injury’s physical location, but whether it is connected to the employee’s job duties. As remote and hybrid work arrangements have become increasingly common…

Workers’ compensation pays for medical treatment related to your workplace injury, but it doesn’t pay your regular health insurance premiums. While your employer may continue paying its share of your employer-sponsored health insurance while you remain employed, you usually must…

The simple answer is yes. However, there are important details you need to be aware of to ensure your rights are protected. Being injured on the job might require a lot of medical attention, including emergency visits, hospital stays, and…

When an injury or illness leaves you unable to work, navigating the right type of support can be overwhelming. Especially if you’re unsure which benefits apply to your situation. Some conditions are job-related, while others may arise outside of work,…

If you were hurt at work and ended up in the emergency room, you’re likely wondering if workers’ compensation will pay for that visit. The good news is, in South Carolina, workers’ compensation generally does cover emergency room visits for…

If you’re in the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim, you may have come across the term “exclusive remedy doctrine” and wondered, “What is the exclusive remedy doctrine, and how does it affect my case?” This principle is central…

News flash – insurance companies love saying “no” to paying benefits. Many of our workers’ compensation clients reached out to us after getting a denial letter from their employer’s workers’ comp carrier. If this happens to you, don’t just accept…

Most of the time, getting hurt at work isn’t a big deal.  It may take a little time to heal, but after some rest and recuperation, you are ready to pick up exactly where you left off.  Unfortunately for some,…

If you’ve been injured on the job and qualify for workers’ compensation, your employer cannot force you to use your paid time off (PTO). However, they may permit — or even encourage — the use of PTO while you’re receiving…

If you’ve suffered a work-related injury or illness, you may be wondering whether to file for workers’ compensation, disability insurance, or both. Workers’ compensation provides benefits for medical expenses and partial wage replacement, while Social Security Disability (SSD) provides income…

When you suffer an injury at work in South Carolina, you may file a workers’ compensation claim for benefits. This pays for partial wage replacement and medical costs, but the amount of time you receive coverage is based on the…

South Carolina law requires employers to file workers’ compensation claims when one of their employees is injured. Ideally, this process is straightforward. However, in practice, only some cases progress smoothly. Because the insurance company’s primary goal is to pay as…

Filing a workers’ compensation claim can initially seem straightforward, especially with so many online resources available. Many injured South Carolina workers start their claim without the guidance of an attorney, hoping to handle everything on their own. Regardless of the…

Many Americans work multiple jobs either part-time or full-time. In South Carolina, if you were injured on one job but are unable to work either of your jobs because of that injury, your average weekly wage may be calculated based…

If you have been injured in a work-related accident in South Carolina, it is essential to understand your rights and options. Workers’ compensation is a system designed to provide financial support and medical benefits to employees injured on the job….

If you’re receiving South Carolina workers’ compensation benefits and are considering moving out of state, you may wonder if you can take your benefits with you. When you move to a different state, there can be implications for your workers’…

Workers’ compensation is a system designed to provide medical care and wage replacement benefits to employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses. It is a no-fault insurance program that provides coverage to employees regardless of who was at fault for…

If you were hurt on the job in South Carolina, you may be entitled to file a claim with your employer for workers’ compensation benefits. In South Carolina, workers’ compensation covers the cost of all reasonable and necessary medical treatment…

Workers’ compensation covers partial wage replacement, healthcare benefits, and permanent disability for employees who are injured or who become ill on the job. However, specific types of employment and industries don’t require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Read on…

When many people think of asbestos exposure, they think of older homes with popcorn ceilings, dated vinyl flooring, and outdated attic and wall insulation. Thankfully, asbestos was phased out of new construction by the mid-1980s, but countless people are still…

Most employers in South Carolina must legally carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, if you discover your employer doesn’t have workers’ compensation coverage, you can still find ways to receive benefits for your work-related injury or illness. Read on to learn…

It is not unusual for an injury suffered in a job-site accident to require surgery. For most workers employed in South Carolina, the state’s workers’ compensation system should pay for surgery related to any injury suffered in a workplace accident….

The early 1900s reshaped many aspects of American life and industry. Marked by seismic events, like the Wright brothers’ first flight and Henry Ford’s Model T production, the period’s great economic advances also helped spark major advances for workers’ rights….

Back injuries are a common type of workplace injury. A serious back injury can leave you incapacitated and unable to work for a lengthy period of time. Some back injuries require surgery to address severe pain or improve function. If…

All disputed workers’ compensation claims in South Carolina may be referred for mediation, if the parties agree, in hopes of avoiding the need for a formal hearing. Some complex claims or claims for permanent and total disability must go to…

Thousands of South Carolina workers suffer injuries in workplace accidents each year. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), South Carolina private employers reported 29,100 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses and 102 fatal injuries in one recent year. Some accidents…

Many people are reluctant to take a new job while receiving workers’ compensation, as they worry that it will make them ineligible for benefits. With a few exceptions, this isn’t the case. South Carolina law protects the rights of injured…

Time off for a workplace injury is more common than you might think. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, South Carolina saw 29,100 workplace injuries and illnesses in 2020, of which 19,400 required time off or restrictions on job…

Back injuries are one of the most common job-related ailments. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 128,000 workers suffered back injuries severe enough to require time off work in a recent year. These injured workers often faced…

Construction sites are required to have several different types of safety signage. Some signs warn workers and visitors of potential hazards, such as falling debris or electrical cables. Other signs point to the location of safety items such as fire…

Back injuries are a leading cause of disability for people in their working years. They afflict more than 600,000 employees each year, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says. A single traumatic event such as a fall can…

The objective of workers’ compensation insurance is to support an injured worker financially and provide needed medical treatment until he or she recovers and is ready to return to work. But some people who have been badly injured at a…

Any injured employee can receive workers’ compensation for benefit checks to cover medical expenses, partial wage replacement, and other benefits without having to prove their employer’s negligence was at fault for their injury. Workers’ compensation is set up to allow…

If you have a pre-existing injury and get hurt at work, you may have concerns about filing for workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation allows you to continue having an income while you’re unable to work due to an injury. In South…

Workers’ compensation, also called workman’s comp, is a type of liability insurance that most businesses in South Carolina are legally required to carry to pay employees when they are injured on the job. Does Workman’s Comp Provide Salary? How much…

Companies in South Carolina employ workers in various competitive industries, including automotive manufacturing, health care, construction, engineering, and aerospace. Some jobs inherently have a higher risk of injury. Jobs in agribusiness, manufacturing, and the transportation industry are particularly hazardous. If…

Your status as a temporary worker in South Carolina does not necessarily bar you from being eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if you have been injured on the job. You may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits if you suffer an…

When most people think of workers’ compensation, they think of construction workers with hard hats. But the truth is, workplace injuries can happen anywhere. That’s why South Carolina requires employers with more than 4 employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance…

South Carolina’s strong agriculture industry is known for producing a wide bounty of crops and goods, making “Certified SC” stickers a familiar site in most local grocery stores. However, some South Carolinians may be surprised to learn that timber is…

The pandemic has forced many people to work from home. In fact, some workers and employers think there’s no need to return to an office environment. This has caused some to question whether workers who are working from home are…

More construction workers are injured in August than in any other month of the year, according to data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We can point to two likely culprits: one, there are more construction projects happening in…

A recent report in a safety publication for employers points out that much of the cost of a worker’s job-site injury is indirect and often hidden. These costs are out-of-pocket for the employer, while the direct costs of an employee’s…

A bill that would allow South Carolina’s 11,000+ firefighters, volunteer firefighters, and members of law enforcement to receive workers’ compensation if they are diagnosed with a mental or stress-related illness has received strong support in the House. But the legislation has…

Nearly every state, including South Carolina, has workers’ compensation laws requiring most employers to provide compensation for medical expenses and wages when their employers are injured at work or while performing work duties. However, one group of workers that is…

According to insurance data, American employers pay an estimated $1 billion every week in workers’ compensation benefits for disabling, non-fatal injuries. Employers, and insurance companies providing workers’ compensation insurance, don’t like paying out on claims for injured employees, and employees…

Can you get workers comp for anxiety and stress? When we think of injuries covered by workers’ compensation, we often think first of physical injuries suffered in the workplace, such as injuries from falls, overexertion, or cumulative trauma caused by repetitive…

Under South Carolina law, if you work for an employer as an employee any injury claim you have is subject to South Carolina Workers’ Compensation law. South Carolina’s Workers’ Compensation law provides certain benefits for employees, which include medical payments and future compensation…

When it’s your first day on the job, you want to make a good impression. You may even be on a probationary period, and even if not, it’s likely that most of your benefits, including health insurance and paid sick…

Could you be risking life and limb because you are digitally distracted in your workplace? Are you reading this blog post on a phone at work right now? A survey of American workers recently reported by EHS Today found that 14…

If you’ve recently suffered an on-the-job injury in South Carolina, you may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits.  These benefits pay for medical bills and a partial wage replacement of 2/3 of the weekly wages of an injured worker. So,…

Annually in South Carolina, dozens of workers are injured on the job. Despite the fact that many of these accidents involve blue-collar workers such as construction workers, other professions like healthcare workers, manufacturing employees, and even office workers are also at…

If you were injured on the job in South Carolina, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company usually chooses the first doctor you’ll see. That doctor’s medical opinion is important, but it is not the only opinion that counts. Many clients…

Starting physical therapy sooner rather than later can significantly improve outcomes and lower costs after workers suffer on-the-job injuries, causing low back pain, a study of nearly 26,000 Workers’ Compensation claims suggests. The study by Workers’ Compensation Research Institute found a strong…

Injured workers navigating the South Carolina workers’ compensation system may find themselves ready to return to work under physical restrictions determined by their workers’ comp doctor.  If you’re in this situation, you must follow these restrictions until you have recovered enough to…

Manufacturing is a major industry in South Carolina. According to recent stats from the National Association of Manufacturers, it accounted for almost $40 billion in output for the state in a single year. Additionally, nearly 12% of South Carolina’s entire work…

Originally published 8/13/20, updated 1/7/2025. After suffering a work injury, things may feel like they’ve gone from bad to worse. Now, you’re contemplating quitting your job. Maybe it’s because you no longer feel safe or physically capable of handling the job….

Nurses play a central role in providing quality, compassionate healthcare to patients in a variety of medical settings. Doctor’s offices, hospitals, emergency medical clinics, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers all depend on registered nurses and nurse practitioners to take on…

As businesses re-open after closures during the coronavirus pandemic, there is more risk for workers to be exposed to the COVID-19 coronavirus, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) advises in a recent update. That makes it more important…

Sometimes an unscrupulous employer will decide that the easiest way to limit the cost of a  workers’ compensation claim is to fire the injured worker. Anyone on workers’ compensation who finds themselves in this situation should contact a workers’ comp…

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) says the 24 mining fatalities in the U.S. in 2019 were the fewest annual fatalities ever recorded. Last year is only the fifth year with fewer than 30 mining fatalities in…

Few of us ever face the kind of workplace hazards and stress that firefighters and law enforcement officers confront regularly while performing their jobs. Firefighters face doubling the risk of work-related injuries as the average worker, according to the Bureau…

South Carolina’s legislature has rejected a bill that would ensure the availability of workers’ compensation payments for mental health care sought by emergency responders suffering from PTSD. The bill, known as S-429, has been introduced repeatedly since 2015, to no avail. This…

South Carolina’s workers’ compensation program is no-fault insurance that pays benefits for workplace injuries regardless of who or what caused them. In most cases, workers’ comp pays for medical bills and partial wage replacement without any question as to who is…

In handling personal injury and workers’ compensation cases for injured South Carolinians for more than 30 years, it has become apparent to me that my clients’ future medical costs are often a crucial component of their damages… Continue reading →

I grew up in the small southeastern Virginia town of Waverly. When I was a kid, it was a great town to grow up in. There were only about 2,000 residents and we all knew each other well. Main Street flourished with locally-owned businesses from Pope’s Grocery Store Continue reading →

By: Attorney Ken Harrell Kenny Harrell is the managing partner of the Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers. The Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers has focused on handling South Carolina personal injury and workers’ compensation cases for over 50 years and has offices…

In over 30 years of practicing law, one of the biggest lessons I have learned is that personal injury and workers’ compensation lawyers have just as big of an obligation to offer input on medical treatment options as they do…

If you are injured on the job in South Carolina, you have a number of rights. For instance, most workers who get hurt on the job have the right to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Those rights, unfortunately, do not come with…

If you suffer an injury on the job in South Carolina, you will need to take specific steps in order to protect your right to workers’ compensation benefits. Here, we take you through some of the basic steps that the process…

Workplace accidents can happen in any job. However, there are certain occupations that are more dangerous to employees than others, even when employers are careful to abide by all safety rules and regulations. Fortunately, those who are injured at work…

Back injuries are among the most commonly occurring workplace injuries. In fact, according to data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 180,000 American workers miss time on the job each year due to a back injury. This includes thousands…

Most workers in Columbia have a general awareness of a workers’ compensation. If you are injured in an accident while on the job, you can file a workers’ compensation claim to seek benefits. However, many Columbia workers do not realize…

Companies like Uber, Lyft and TaskRabbit are examples of the so-called sharing economy, where technology matches people who need a service with people willing to work to perform the service. The technology company keeps a portion of the fee as…

Private industry employers reported more than 3 million workplace injuries and illnesses in a single recent year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. More than half of those injuries were serious enough to require days away from work, job restrictions or…

Most people go to work every morning, taking for granted that they will come home safely at the end of the day. However, some jobs carry higher risks than others, making it less likely that workers will come home at…

If you have been injured on the job, in most cases, you will be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under South Carolina law. However, recovering the benefits you deserve is usually not so simple in practice. Workers’ comp cases are…

After you’ve been injured on the job, your first priority is getting well. Filing for and receiving workers’ compensation benefits is also a crucial part of your recovery. It’s important to follow the deadlines for seeking workers’ compensation in South…

People who have been injured on the job have a lot to deal with — recovering from their injuries, trying to return to work, and getting by on income that is probably less than they were making before their workplace…

Working in construction is a dangerous way to make a living. Even though only 6 percent of the American workforce is in construction, the industry accounts for 20 percent of on-the-job deaths. Statistics from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration…

If you are injured while working on a construction site or other job site in South Carolina, you may be entitled to benefits from the South Carolina workers’ compensation system. Workers’ compensation provides coverage for medical care and partial wage…

If you are covered by workers’ compensation in South Carolina, you are eligible for benefits regardless of whether the injury occurred because of a mistake on your part. That is because South Carolina uses a no-fault system for workers’ compensation….

By Davis Rice The teaching profession is one of the noblest callings that a person can enter into as a career choice. Teachers are charged with educating, molding and shaping our society’s future generation. Indeed, many of today’s most successful entrepreneurs…

A recent study by Gallup reveals that an alarming number of Americans are dissatisfied with their work. According to the survey, only 30 percent of the nation’s workforce feels engaged by the roles they perform each day. Gallup notes that “active disengagement”…

According to a recent study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, employees ages 55 or older whose jobs include driving are more likely than their younger co-workers to die in traffic accidents. Weaker cognition skills and greater…

By Ken W. Harrell, Managing Partner The recent death of Boeing employee David Priester due to a brain injury he sustained as the result of a March 18 fall was a tragedy for his family, and for all of his…