Some jobs are more dangerous than others and your duties may put you at risk for serious injuries or illnesses. Injuries can occur even in relatively safe work environments, as well. Government statistics indicate that an estimated three million people experienced job-related injuries or illnesses in one year in the United States. Such injuries can result in extensive medical bills and lost income if your injury prevents you from immediately returning to work. Fortunately, the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission provides important protections if you sustain an injury or illness at work, including weekly workers’ comp benefit checks to partially make up for lost wages.
The workers’ compensation system can be complicated and many valid claims may be delayed or denied. At the Joye Law Firm, we will represent your rights and interests to ensure you receive the full amount of benefits you deserve as quickly as possible following a work injury. In addition, if you tragically lost a family member in a workplace accident, we can help protect your interests with the workers’ compensation insurer. If you have any issues relating to a workers’ compensation claim, please call our office for a free case evaluation as soon as possible.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Under South Carolina law, the vast majority of employers are required to carry adequate workers’ compensation insurance coverage. In the event of an employee injury or illness, this coverage will be used to compensate the employee for the following:
- Medical care costs — Injuries and illnesses can require a lot of medical care, which can cost thousands and thousands of dollars. Your employer’s workers’ compensation coverage should pay for all of the necessary medical treatment recommended for your injury. The insurer may require that you see a specific doctor to limit costs, though the doctor must be qualified and may not reduce recommended treatment simply to help your employer.
- Income replacement — Many people who have an injury or illness are told by their doctors to rest during recovery, which may mean they cannot return to work right away. If you cannot return to work, you likely will not receive pay for the time missed, which can cause difficulty paying bills and supporting your family. For this reason, workers’ compensation can provide income replacement benefits that pay you 2/3 of your average weekly gross wage that you missed due to your injury.
- Temporary or permanent disability — If you will be out of work for an extended period of time, workers’ compensation can provide long-term payments that can help you stay financially afloat. The amount and length of these payments can vary and, in many cases, an insurance company will offer you a settlement in lieu of weekly benefits.
- Death benefits — If you lost a loved one in a fatal workplace accident, you are entitled to benefits for your tragic loss and lost financial and emotional support. You can receive weekly benefits for a period of time, though it may be easier to accept a lump sum settlement.
Common Causes of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses
A great number of different injuries and illnesses can develop in the workplace for many reasons. Some of the most common causes of these accidents can include the following:
- Allowing property hazards to exist and remain in the workplace;
- Not complying with workplace laws and guidelines;
- Naturally-occurring circumstances of your job;
- Defective equipment or machines;
- Car accidents;
- Not providing adequate safety gear for a task requested;
- Noises or lights that may cause vision or hearing problems;
- Exposure to toxic chemicals or substances;
- Repetitive stress injuries.
The above can lead to severe injuries including spinal cord injuries, a traumatic brain injury (TBI), fractured bones, neck and spinal cord injuries, and many more.
For a free review of your case, call us now!
Your Rights if Your Claim is Denied
If you were injured on the job and filed a claim, you should expect to begin receiving benefits as soon as possible. However, in many cases, injured workers are shocked to learn that their claim has been partially or completely denied. In such a situation, it is critical to have an experienced legal representation on your side who can help you to appeal the denial and begin receiving benefits as soon as possible.
Reasons for denial can include:
- Your employer or their insurance company does not believe that the injury occurred because of your job;
- Your employer or their insurance company does not believe that you are as injured as you claim or that you must miss so much work to recover;
- Your employer or their insurance company does not think that all of the medical treatment you received is necessary.
When you receive notice of a denial, it is natural to feel lost and helpless against the company. However, with the help of the Joye Law Firm, you can fight for your rights to your deserved benefits.
How a Clinton Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help
While the workers’ compensation claim process may seem relatively simple, you can unknowingly make many mistakes that can lead to delays or denials. Our workers’ compensation legal council can help you with the claim process so that you have the best chance of approval. If you do receive a denial of part or all of your claim, you should immediately call our office to discuss your situation. We can assist you in appealing the denial and will stand up for your rights to benefits. The sooner you call, the sooner you may be able to receive your much-needed payments.
Call for a Free Consultation With a Clinton Workers’ Compensation Law Firm
The highly experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at the Joye Law Firm have been standing up for the rights of injured workers for over 40 years. We have extensive experience with both workers’ compensation insurers and with the SC Workers’ Compensation Commission and will not stop fighting for your rights until you receive the benefits you deserve. The last thing you need to deal with following an injury is navigating through the complex workers’ compensation system to fight for your benefits. Our team fights for you so that you can rest and recover from your injury and return to your job as soon as possible. We offer free consultations with absolutely no obligation, so you have nothing to lose by discussing your case with us. Please call our Clinton office today or contact us online for help as soon as possible.
