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 a significant portion of the wages 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.
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