When you have been approved for workers’ compensation benefits, or if you are waiting for approval after having applied, you may be wondering how soon it will be before you can start collecting your benefits.
The answer depends on the state you live in. For example, if you live in South Carolina, you could begin receiving your temporary compensation as soon as eight days after your work injury. But if you live in North Carolina, you could begin receiving benefits as soon as your claim is approved.
When you are unsure how much longer you need to wait for your workers’ comp benefits to come in, reach out to your workers’ compensation attorney at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC to find out.
In This Article
What To Do After A Work Injury
In the aftermath of your work injury, you may be confused and unsure of what your next steps should be. Unfortunately, these initial steps could have a significant impact on your ability to recover the workers’ compensation benefits you may be entitled to.
Here are some of the first things you should do following a work-related injury:
- Notify your employer as soon as possible. If you fail to notify your employer in a timely manner, you may lose your right to access workers’ compensation benefits.
- If possible, document the accident scene. Take video or photos of your injuries, property damages, and any other relevant images.
- While documenting the accident scene, attempt to obtain the contact information of anyone who may have witnessed the accident. This could include individuals from nearby businesses or homes, your colleagues or supervisors, or other third parties. These individuals’ names and contact phone numbers could be valuable in your effort to recover workers’ compensation benefits.
- Be sure to obtain a medical evaluation. Although you may initially feel fine in the aftermath of a workplace injury, you may have suffered injuries that are far more severe internally. Without a medical diagnosis, you simply do not know how severe your injuries may or may not be. Furthermore, if you do not obtain a medical evaluation, it could come back to haunt you when the defense argues your injuries were not caused in a work accident but in another way.
- Once you are declared medically stable, make sure to contact a workers’ compensation lawyer for help. Your attorney can assist you throughout the claims process and be by your side should the insurance company attempt to deny you the workers’ compensation benefits that are rightfully yours.
If you live in the Lincoln County area, trust a workers’ compensation lawyer in Lincoln County to assist with your benefit claim. We can offer legal assistance in various situations and represent you in court, if necessary.
For a legal consultation with a lawyer serving North Carolina and South Carolina, call 828.286.3866
North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Laws
Once you have been approved for workers’ compensation benefits, you may be wondering how much longer it will be before they start coming in. The answer varies widely depending on where your employer is located.
Companies based in North Carolina will follow North Carolina workers’ compensation laws. The North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act states that any company with more than three employees must provide employees with Workers’ Compensation protection coverage.
As soon as your claim for benefits is approved, you should begin receiving your workers’ compensation benefits as long as the insurance company has your payment information. Your attorney can help you ensure the insurance company has the information they need to allow you to access the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me 828.286.3866
South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Laws
South Carolina workers’ compensation laws are a little different. In South Carolina, you may be subject to a waiting period before you can begin receiving workers’ compensation benefits.
Generally, you need to wait a minimum of eight days from the date of your initial work accident or diagnosed injury to begin collecting benefits. Before your claim is approved, it is important to be aware of the other deadlines that could have an impact on your case.
For example, your workers’ compensation claim must be filed within two years under the statute of limitations. If your claim is not filed before the deadline, you will lose your right to workers’ compensation benefits. You are also required to notify your employer of your injuries in a timely manner. Generally, this is 30 days from the date of your diagnosis or the date of the accident itself.
Contact A Workers’ Compensation Lawyer For Help
You should not be forced to deal with subsequent delays after suffering a work-related injury. Once your claim has been approved, you should begin receiving your benefits shortly after.
In North Carolina, this could be immediately after your claim has been approved. In South Carolina, you could begin collecting benefits in as few as eight days after your accident. Find out how much longer it could be before you start receiving benefits when you reach out to your workers’ compensation lawyer at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC for help.
Call or text 828.286.3866 or complete a Case Evaluation form