Workers’ comp cases aren’t always cut and dry. Your employer and their insurance company won’t make it easy to get the total amount of compensation you need. If you’re having trouble reaching a fair settlement, get in touch with a workers’ compensation lawyer in Summerville.
Over 2.8 million workers reported injuries in 2019. Unfortunately, not all of them got to settle for compensation that reflects damages sustained. If you want to get the settlement you deserve, you need legal s in your corner who can protect your rights and help you collect damages.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation Claims
The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act gives you the power to file a claim for workers’ compensation with no retaliation or risk. In addition, as an employee, you have rights and can get financial compensation for any injuries sustained on the job.
Despite this, your employer may not always be cooperative. Should they get around to submitting your claim, then you’ll have to deal with the insurance companies. You need to remember that insurance companies are businesses just like your employer at the end of the day. They don’t want to pay the full amount of compensation owed.
Instead, they will utilize stall tactics and other methods to try and get you to settle for less. They know that the longer you sit waiting on your settlement, the more financial hardship you’ll face. This will make you more inclined to accept a lowball offer.
What Can Workers’ Compensation Cover for Me?
When you obtain workers’ compensation, you can receive benefits for various damages you sustained.
Medical Treatment
One of the primary things workers’ compensation aims to cover for injured employees is their medical expenses. Therefore, you should be able to get all of your medical expenses covered at minimal to no cost to you.
While treatment for minor injuries may not be that expensive, you could look at thousands of dollars in medical bills if you were seriously hurt. As an employee that got injured on the job, you shouldn’t have to pay for any of those costs out of your own pocket.
Disability
The amount of benefits you can recover depends on the extent of your disability:
- Partial disability
- Total disability
- Permanent disability
- Temporary disability
Title 42 of the Official Code of South Carolina offers a definitive breakdown of how your benefits get calculated. However, our workers’ comp lawyers in Summerville will do all the grunt work and figure exactly how much your disability damages are worth. We will ensure that the correct amount gets factored into your settlement total.
Lost Wages
Missing out on work can cause a lot of financial strain. Bills don’t stop coming in just because you got injured on the job. In order to make ends meet, the insurance company should be paying you for any wages you’re missing out on due to your injury.
Wrongful Death
Should you have lost a loved one due to an accident in the workplace, you can receive wrongful death benefits. These benefits get paid out to family members over a set period of time. The rate is typically 66% or ⅔ of the deceased’s weekly salary.
Can I File a Claim for Pain and Suffering?
Unfortunately, workers’ compensation claims don’t cover pain and suffering. There are, however, some ways around this rule that can allow you to recover compensation for them. Not all workplaces injury cases can qualify, but if yours does, our lawyers won’t stop until all of your damages get accounted for.
How Much Are Worker Compensation Settlements Worth?
How much your specific case is worth is impossible to tell unless you get a free case review from one of our workers’ compensation lawyers in Summerville. Generally, workers’ compensation claims can range anywhere from $5,000 to $100,000, depending on the severity of the injuries. Claims can go even higher when catastrophic injuries are involved.
Is It Worth Hiring a Lawyer for My Workers’ Compensation Claim?
It is definitely worth hiring a lawyer to help you with your workers’ compensation claim. Even making one of the most common claim mistakes can hurt your chances of getting your entitled compensation. Our Summerville workers’ compensation lawyers can help you:
- File your claim on time before the statute of limitations is up.
- Build a strong case for your claim by organizing evidence, consulting with s, and obtaining witness testimonies.
- Understand all of the merits of your case and calculate your damages accurately.
- Represent your best interest and fight back against the insurance company on your behalf.
Don’t underestimate how sneaky insurance companies can be, especially if you don’t have any prior legal experience. You don’t want to end up with only half of the settlement you should have received.
Get Assistance With Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Today
If you feel stuck fighting for your workers’ compensation benefits, please contact Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward today. Don’t hesitate to schedule a risk-free appointment with a Summerville workers’ compensation attorney today at no cost or obligation to you. We never charge any upfront fees, and if we can’t win compensation for your claim, you owe us nothing.