On-the-job accidents and injuries can occur in any type of job or occupation, and when they do, the impact on you and your loved ones can be severe. You could be facing heavy medical expenses while being unable to work or perform certain tasks required by your job.
During difficult times such as these, workers’ compensation benefits can be a lifeline, helping you to get the medical treatment you need while continuing to provide for yourself and your family.
At the Joye Law Firm, our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys provide the kind of aggressive legal representation you need to get the benefits you are entitled to. Acting as a strong legal advocate on your behalf, we can help to ensure both your rights and your interests are protected.
Types of Injuries Covered Under Workers’ Compensation
On-the-job accidents and injuries are an unfortunately common occurrence, both in South Carolina and throughout the United States.
Despite federal regulations and safety guidelines meant to protect workers against potentially harmful situations and dangerous substances, the latest statistics from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) indicate that there are as many as 12 worker fatalities that occur each day throughout the country, while an additional 9,000 workers suffer serious injuries.
According to OSHA, common types of on-the-job injuries include the following:
- Injuries caused by slip, trip and fall accidents, such as muscle strains and sprains, broken bones, and head injuries;
- Injuries due to being caught in or between objects or equipment, including back injuries and damage to internal organs;
- Injuries caused by being struck by falling objects or work debris, including concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and severe cuts and lacerations;
- Injuries due to electrocution and thermal or chemical burns;
- Injuries caused by motor vehicle related accidents, such as broken bones, dislocated joints, and back or head injuries;
- Injuries that occur as the result of repetitive tasks and poor work ergonomics, such as tendinitis, back strain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
In addition to the above, chronic and potentially fatal injuries can result due to exposure to hazardous substances, such as asbestosis and certain types of cancer.
Workers most at risk for on-the-job injuries include construction workers, manufacturing and warehouse workers, and healthcare workers, firefighters, police, and other public safety officials.
Also, workers whose job may appear to be less dangerous, such as office workers, restaurant, and retail employees, are also at risk, with the simple fact being that any type of worker, in any type of field, can find themselves facing situations in which an on-the-job injury or illness could occur.
For a free review of your case, call us now!
South Carolina Workers’ Comp Benefits You May be Entitled To
Under Title 42 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, workers’ compensation provides sick and injured workers a variety of benefits, depending on the type and severity of the injury or illness they suffer.
Types of workers’ compensation benefits available in South Carolina include the following:
- Medical Benefits: Medical benefits available through workers’ compensation include visits with primary doctors and specialists, costs associated with hospital treatments on an in or out-patient basis, medical testing required to diagnose and treat your condition, physical rehabilitation costs, and expenses due to the need for medications and medical aids, such as wheelchairs and braces.
- Temporary Disability Benefits: When your injury or illness results in temporary disabilities that prevent you from working or from performing certain tasks at your job, you may be eligible for temporary disability benefits, based on your average earnings. Partial benefits apply if you are able to return to work but unable to work a full schedule, while total disability benefits would apply if your injury or illness temporarily prevents you from working at all.
- Permanent Disability Benefits: When your injury or illness results in permanent disabilities, you may be entitled to permanent disability benefits. If your doctor states that you have reached a level of maximum medical improvement yet you are still unable to perform certain tasks on your job or to work a full schedule, permanent partial disability benefits would apply.
- Death Benefits: In the event a job-related injury or illness results in a fatality, the victim’s family may be entitled to receive death benefits. Benefits available include money for burial expenses and transportation costs, as well as compensation to spouses and dependents of the deceased for partial lost wages and future lost earnings.
What If Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Has Been Denied?
Has your South Carolina workers’ compensation claim been denied, or do you have a dispute involving the benefits you have been awarded? If so, our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys can help.
Through the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC), you have the right to appeal your denial or any decision made concerning your claim. The Commission is responsible for overseeing and managing our state workers’ compensation program and is authorized with the power to review decisions concerning benefits claims.
Your first step in filing a dispute is to request a hearing in which you will be allowed to present evidence in support of your claim, such as medical records and doctor statements. Your hearing may be held before a commissioner with the WCC or before an administrative judge, who will render a decision in your case.
Should you disagree with that decision, you have the right to pursue your claim further, all the way to the South Carolina Court of Appeals. At the Joye Law Firm, we provide the kind of experienced legal representation that can help you get the results you need to be successful during the appeals process, increasing your chances of getting a more favorable decision.
Let Our Myrtle Beach Workers’ Comp Lawyers Assist You
When you or someone you care about has suffered an on-the-job injury or illness, contact our experienced Myrtle Beach workers’ compensation attorneys right away. At the Joye Law Firm, we provide the knowledge, training, and skill you need at a time like this, to assist you in getting the benefits you are entitled to.
