South Carolina has its own laws governing workers’ compensation, which provide financial assistance to people who suffer workplace injuries or illnesses. Workers’ comp insurance companies handle claims for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to an on-the-job injury.
Workman’s compensation laws are designed to protect employees from being discriminated against by their employers. When an employee gets hurt on the job, they are entitled to receive workers’ comp benefits, regardless of who was at fault.
If you’ve been injured at work, consult with a Greenville workers’ compensation attorney from Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward as soon as possible. A lawyer can help you understand your rights under the law and guide you through the complicated process involved in filing a claim with your employer’s insurance carrier.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
South Carolina is one of 36 states with a state-run workman’s comp program through its Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW). Employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance to protect employees from having to pay medical expenses after experiencing a workplace accident.
In return, employees will not be able to sue their employer if they are injured while working. These benefits are available regardless of fault, including if another employee or a third party causes the injury. However, there may be exceptions. A Greenville worker’s compensation lawyer can help you learn your legal options.
The program also covers occupational diseases caused by exposure to hazardous materials or conditions at work that can lead to long-term health problems later in life. It is important that you understand your rights under this system before filing a claim.
How Does Workers’ Compensation Work?
Workers’ compensation laws were put into place so that employees who were injured on the job could still get medical treatment and other benefits after an accident or injury occurred. In the past, employers could fire an injured employee on the job because they felt they were no longer as productive as they once were.
However, with these laws in place, employers cannot fire an employee for being injured on the job. These types of laws also protect employees from having their wages garnished by creditors who may try to claim that they owe them money for injuries sustained during work hours or at company events.
Generally speaking, employers are required to provide medical treatment for work-related injuries and pay for missed work time while an employee recovers from their injury. If an employer fails to do so, they may be subject to penalties from the Department of Labor or other government agencies.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Greenville
You may be eligible for benefits if you’ve been injured on the job and can’t work. The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission determines whether or not an injury is considered work-related and thus covered by workman’s comp insurance policies.
If the injury meets those criteria, you will be entitled to receive benefits from your employer’s insurance company for medical expenses and lost wages during your recovery time. The law, however, imposes strict time limits for filing claims.
Your employer or insurance company cannot refuse to provide benefits after the deadline. A workers’ comp lawyer in Greenville will have experience with this complicated legal process and can help you get the money you deserve.
What Are My Rights Under Workers’ Compensation Laws?
Workers’ compensation laws are designed to protect people from losing their jobs simply because they were injured on the job. However, some employers don’t want to pay for medical treatment or other benefits that come with workers’ comp.
Employees who experience severe injuries or permanent disability may find that their medical benefits through workman’s comp do not cover the total cost of their losses. Workman’s comp attorneys in Greenville can work to find other sources of liability and may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover additional damages.
A lawyer can help you navigate through the process of filing a compensation claim with your employer and dispute any delays or denials by your employer. If you’re injured at work in South Carolina and your employer doesn’t want to pay for your medical care, you must know your rights under the law.
You Have a Right to Medical Care
Under South Carolina’s workers’ compensation laws, you have a right to receive medical treatment after an injury at work. The level of care you receive depends on the extent of your injuries and your job type.
For example, if you’re a construction tradesman who suffered a back injury while building a house, you may need more than just over-the-counter pain relievers and rest. You may require physical therapy or even surgery to repair damaged muscles or ligaments in your back.
If you are denied the care your injuries require or if the physician your employer refers you to tries to downplay your injuries, an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in Greenville may be able to advocate on your behalf.
You’re Entitled to Compensation for Those Costs
Under South Carolina workers’ comp laws, your employer will cover all reasonable costs associated with treating your injuries. That includes both diagnostic testing (X-rays and MRIs) and ongoing treatment for chronic conditions such as arthritis or tendonitis that your job may have caused.
If you suffer a work-related injury, you should immediately contact your employer and file a workman’s compensation claim. Once you’ve done that, your employer will provide workers’ compensation coverage for all medical expenses related to treating the injury or illness that led to your disability.
When to Consult with a Greenville Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
In a perfect world, all injured workers would receive compensation without needing legal representation. When injuries are not particularly serious or you only miss a few days of work, our services may not be necessary.
However, if you experienced an injury at work that requires significant time away from work, you may need help from a lawyer.
You can be represented by a Greenville workers comp lawyer who will make sure that your rights are upheld. If any of the following apply to you, you should speak with a lawyer regarding your claim as soon as possible:
- There is pressure on you to return to work before you’re healed
- After attempting to obtain workers’ comp benefits, you were terminated
- Your claim for compensation has been refused
- The insurance company attempts to reduce the amount of your payout
- Your workplace accident included a third party
- Because of a preexisting ailment, you were denied benefits
- You can no longer function normally at work
- There was a case of gross negligence leading to your accident
- Your payment does not fully offset all of your cost
It doesn’t cost anything out of pocket to have your claim evaluated by a Greenville workers’ compensation law firm to discuss the specifics of your case and assess the potential advantages of making a claim.
Contact a Workman’s Comp Law Firm in Greenville Today
A Greenville workers’ comp claim lawyer is needed to ensure that you get the full benefits that you deserve. The purpose of workers’ compensation is to protect employees who are injured on the job. However, workman’s comp insurance providers don’t always play fair.
There are some instances where injured staff may still be able to receive additional money from an employer even if they are providing your benefits. Contact us today at Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward to find out if you can make a claim and what benefits you may receive.