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    a construction worker with an injured knee after he fell off a ladder

    A work injury can happen to anyone in any industry. Thankfully in South Carolina, our workers’ compensation system protects you if you’re hurt at work by providing benefits to help get you back on your feet.

    This system generally functions well for most work-related injuries, and most injured workers won’t need to hire an attorney. That’s because the majority of claims are pretty straightforward, and deal with non-permanent injuries. However, the stakes get a lot higher when an injured worker is facing surgery or a long-term impairment. Or worse yet, a family is dealing with the loss of a loved one. When it comes to work accidents that cause life-altering injuries, don’t go it alone. You need a lawyer to make sure you get the compensation and future benefits you deserve.

    Filing a successful workers’ comp claim can be difficult. Small paperwork errors or other oversights can complicate the process further. Tiny mistakes can balloon into big problems like denials or delayed benefits.

    If you have been seriously injured on the job you probably have a lot of questions and concerns about your future.  Things might seem out of your control, leaving you to feel frustrated, angry, or even hopeless. Don’t despair.  Joye Law Firm has been helping injured workers since 1968, and we’re standing by to help you during this difficult time. For assistance with your workers’ compensation claim after an injury in the Midlands, reach out to a workers’ compensation lawyer at Joye Law Firm’s Columbia office.

    We bring over 300 years of collective experience to the table. We know what it’ll take to help you get back on your feet after a workplace injury, and we’re ready to get to work.

    Joye Law Firm Columbia Office Location

    1333 Main St #260,
    Columbia, SC 29201
    (803) 618-4189

    What Is Workers’ Compensation?

    South Carolina provides workers’ compensation for most individuals injured in workplace accidents. It offers essential financial assistance through medical coverage and partial wage replacement. This support helps you concentrate on healing and getting back to your daily life.

    In South Carolina, workers’ compensation is an employer-purchased insurance program that offers a safety net for those who get injured or sick because of their job. Under state law, all employers with more than four employees are required to carry workers’ compensation coverage. Under this system, it doesn’t matter who’s to blame for the injury. Most workers are eligible for workers’ comp benefits regardless of fault. Benefits include:

    • Medical Care: Covers all necessary medical treatments and rehabilitation services for the injury or illness. Treatment must be prescribed by your employer-chosen healthcare provider.
    • Income Replacement: Provides a portion of your wages, while you are unable to work. This is typically two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum limit set by South Carolina law.
    • Disability Compensation: Provides financial support if you become partially or fully disabled due to an illness or injury related to your job.
    • Death Benefits: Helps financially support the family of a worker who died from a job-related injury or illness. Death benefits cover funeral costs and a portion of the deceased worker’s earnings.

    Our attorneys can also help you understand and access additional resources from the state and federal government. Examples of these benefits include:

    • Social Security Disability: Provides monthly payments to people who have an adequate work history and a disability that limits their ability to work.
    • Vocational Rehabilitation: Helps you return to the workforce with training and rehab services for a new position if your injury prevents you from returning to your old job.

    If you’ve recently been injured on the job, one of our Columbia workers’ compensation lawyers can help. Your attorney will examine the details of your accident and your job situation to determine whether you might be eligible for benefits. If you are just starting out, we can help you gather all the required paperwork, including filing a Form 50, to get the benefits process started. If you are further into the process, we can help you cut through the red tape after an unfair denial or decision.

    Find All Workers’ Compensations Forms Here

    What’s Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Worth?

    Many people wrongly believe that there is a “formula” that determines the value of a workers’ comp case. However, the reality is a lot more complicated. The value of a workers’ compensation claim depends heavily on the specific details surrounding your unique case.  For example, the facts of the accident, the extent of your injuries, whether you are permanently disabled, and your compensation rate all matter.

    If you suffer a temporary injury, you can receive partial wage replacement benefits for up to 340 weeks. Under state law, these payments will be 66% of your average weekly wage (up to the state maximum of $1,134.43). These benefits can continue for up to 500 weeks for totally or permanently disabling injuries.

    For devastating injuries such as quadriplegia, brain damage, or the loss of a loved one, you might qualify for a lump-sum settlement. In cases where a family member is permanently disabled or has died in a work-related accident, contact a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible. These workers’ compensation systems are extremely complicated and can be confusing. Working with an attorney can help you steer clear of the pitfalls and ensure you get all the benefits you’re entitled to.

    The process starts with an assessment of your claim during a free consultation. Our workers’ comp lawyers at Joye Law Firm care about the injured workers who come to us for help. If your injuries prevent you from meeting with us at our Columbia office, we can arrange to meet with you at your home, hospital, or another convenient location.

    Workers’ Compensation Denials and Appeals

    Workers’ compensation denials can be a major setback for employees seeking financial support for job-related injuries or illnesses. These denials are usually due to the following:

    • Incomplete paperwork with missing or incorrect information
    • Disputes over whether the injury is work-related
    • Missed deadlines, such as failing to report the injury within 90 days or file a claim within two years, per the state’s required timeframes
    • Lack of medical evidence, such as insufficient documentation supporting the injury or its severity

    Trying to appeal a disputed workers’ compensation claim on your own can be complicated and disheartening. Let the lawyers at Joye Law Firm take on that burden for you. Here’s how we can help:

    • Claim Preparation: We can ensure your claim is thorough, correctly filled out, and submitted by the deadline. This helps avoid common reasons for denial.
    • Gathering Medical Evidence: We can show the severity of your injury and prove that it’s related to your job. We’ll gather detailed medical evidence, such as notes from your doctor, results from functional capacity evaluations, and any other medical records.
    • Navigating South Carolina’s Appeal Procedures: We can help you through the appeals process after a denial. This might involve representing your case at hearings or submitting a reconsideration request to the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission.
    • Representation at Informal Conferences and Hearings: In the Midlands, informal conferences for workplace accidents take place in Richland County. We advocate fiercely on your behalf at these conferences and any subsequent hearings.
    • Filing for Reconsideration or Further Appeals: If initial appeals are unsuccessful, we can file for reconsideration or appeal to higher authorities, including the South Carolina Court of Appeals or the South Carolina Supreme Court.

    Having an attorney who knows workers’ compensation law shows you are serious about being treated fairly. Our workplace accident attorneys have fought for injured workers since 1968. We can apply our years of experience to pursue justice for you and your family.

     

    Sometimes, a third party is partially at fault in a workplace accident. Examples include negligent contractors or the manufacturer of a defective product used in your workplace. If you travel off-site for your job, the driver of another vehicle could be to blame for your injuries.

    Depending on the case, you may be able to sue the third party for damages in a personal injury lawsuit. This can be done in addition to your workers’ comp claim. For instance, if you are driving a work truck and another person is speeding and hits you, you could get workers’ compensation benefits along with damages from a personal injury suit against the driver.

    Our Columbia attorneys can help identify the insurance policies available to pay your claim and the coverage limits. We can notify the insurance companies and manage negotiations with them so you can focus on your recovery.

    We can also collect your medical bills and estimate the financial impact of your injuries on your ability to work and help support your household. If your injuries are disabling and require living assistance or ongoing medical care, we will project those future expenses when determining how much compensation to demand.

    How Joye Law Firm Helps Injured Workers in Columbia

    At Joye Law Firm, our team has successfully secured workers’ comp benefits for thousands of clients following an accident. Take a look at one of our settlement awards, showcasing how our experience has helped clients, just like you, obtain the benefits they’re entitled to:Sarah Khouri headshot

    Our team recently represented a forklift operator in Cayce, S.C. Our client suffered a neck injury on the job, and faced difficulties in both his personal and professional life. By meticulously documenting the injury’s severity and effect on the worker’s everyday activities and ability to work, Attorney Sarah Khouri obtained a $175,000 settlement. This amount covered all his medical needs, including a necessary surgery. It also compensated him for his pain and suffering and the money he lost while he couldn’t work.

    Headshot of Joye Law Firm partner, Ken Harrell

     

    In another case, Attorney Ken Harrell recovered $700,000 for a tractor-trailer driver injured in a work-related crash. He suffered numerous injuries to his neck, right shoulder, and right hand after another driver ran a stop sign. His injuries necessitated three separate surgeries, and end his career as a truck driver. Our team to not only recovered $150,000 in a workers’ comp settlement, but also an additional $550,000 from a third-party lawsuit against the at-fault driver’s car insurance.

    Call Our Columbia Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

    If you’re looking at a lengthy recovery due to a work injury, book a no-cost consultation with a Columbia injury attorney at Joye Law Firm today. We’ll examine the details of your case to see if you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, and can assist you in pursuing the maximum amount of benefits.

    If your claim has been denied, or you think you haven’t gotten all the benefits you deserve, we can review your claim and support you in appealing for the compensation you are owed.

    When you call our team, you can expect friendly, personalized service and guidance from respected South Carolina workers’ compensation lawyers. Contact us today to discuss your legal options free of charge. The legal team at Joye Law Firm is available to talk with you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We handle cases for injured workers across the Midlands in Lexington, Richland, Kershaw, Fairfield, and surrounding counties.

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    Attorney Melissa Mosier at her desk in the Columbia office