Columbia Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

You suffer an injury at work due to no fault of your own. At this point, your employer could cover your lost wages and other injury-related expenses. To find out if this is the case, partner with a Columbia workers’ compensation lawyer to review your legal options. 

The Thumbs Up Guys at Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward take pride in representing all of our South Carolina neighbors. To date, we have secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. Discuss your workers’ comp case with our personal injury lawyers in Columbia.

What to Do If You Get Hurt at Work

Do not try to “tough it out” and prove you are a team player by working through pain. Instead, notify your employer immediately about your injury. Otherwise, you could hurt your chances of getting workers’ compensation benefits. 

Treat a serious work injury right away. Go to an emergency room, then tell your employer about your injury as soon as you can. You have up to 90 days from the date of your injury to tell your employer about it — if this window closes, your employer may deny your request for workers’ comp. 

Consult with a Columbia workers’ compensation attorney to submit your benefits claim. The Thumbs Up Guys will help you file your claim promptly and get the results you want. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist you with your workers’ compensation request.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits You Can Get

The benefits you receive vary based on the severity of your workplace injury and other factors. A workers’ compensation lawyer serving Columbia advocates for you, helping you secure maximum benefits for your injury. There are three types of benefits you may be able to get:

• Lost Wages: If you miss time at work due to your injury, workers’ compensation will cover your current and future lost income. 
• Medical Benefits: These cover the costs of treating your injury.
• Permanent Disability: You are permanently disabled, and workers’ compensation gives you money you can use for your treatment costs and other losses for the rest of your life. 

You cannot get compensation for pain and suffering through a workers’ comp claim. Fortunately, the Thumbs Up Guys can help you pursue damages for pain and suffering and other non-economic and economic losses. If you are dealing with any workers’ comp issues, let us help you file your claim and pursue fair compensation from your employer. 

How to File a Columbia Workers’ Compensation Claim 

Inform your employer about your on-the-job injury, and they can submit your claim to the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission (SCWCC). You must also file a claim with SCWCC within two years of the date you suffer your workplace injury. A workers’ compensation attorney serving Columbia will help you complete the required paperwork.

Continue to receive medical care as you move through the claims process. Your employer has the right to choose the doctor who will treat your injury. If you decide not to get help from this doctor, your employer may not be responsible for your medical treatment costs. 

If your claim is denied, you can appeal. Your lawyer can explain how workers’ compensation works in South Carolina, including the appeals process. With your attorney’s assistance, you can request an SCWCC hearing and present evidence and testimony to show you deserve workers’ comp benefits. 

Tips for Getting Workers’ Comp Benefits

You believe your employer prioritizes your health and well-being and wants you to get the medical care you need after your on-the-job injury. Regardless, your employer could commit time and resources to contest your workers’ comp claim. Here are things you can do to boost your chances of getting your claim approved. 

Follow Your Doctor’s Orders

Go to a doctor your employer approves, attend follow-up appointments, and do your part to get better. Track your medical expenses and treatments since you can use these as evidence to support your claim. Plus, it is difficult for your employer to dispute your claim if you are doing everything within your power to treat your injury and return to work. 

Request a Second Opinion

If you can, get an independent medical evaluation. The doctor your employer selects to treat you may underestimate your injury. Alternatively, a doctor you hire independently is likely to comply with a high standard of care, perform a thorough evaluation, and give you insights into just how badly you were hurt at work. 

Be Careful About What You Post Online

You want to keep family members and friends up to date about your injury. Use emails, text messages, and phone calls instead of social media to do so. The content you publish on X, Facebook, and other social media platforms is publicly accessible, and your employer could use it to show that your injury is not as severe as you claim. 

SCWCC provides injured worker FAQs to help you with your workers’ comp claim. Your attorney will answer these and any other questions you have relating to your claim. They will help you prove you deserve workers’ comp benefits and get compensation you can use to recover from your injury. 

Discover Why Clients Give Our Columbia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers a Thumbs Up

The workers’ compensation claims process should be quick and easy. However, your employer may be more focused on its bottom line than your recovery from your injury. They can slow down this process, reject your request for benefits, and do other things that hamper your recovery. 

If you want legal help with your workers’ compensation claim, the Thumbs Up Guys at Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward are here for you. We make a difference in our clients’ lives, using thoughtful and aggressive legal tactics to help you secure reasonable compensation. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our team.