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Unfortunately, serious injury and even wrongful death are too common in the workplace. Because it is the employer’s responsibility to maintain a safe working environment for their employees, it is often the employer’s fault when an incident occurs. In cases involving compensable workplace injuries, workers’ compensation insurance can help employees receive the compensation they deserve; however, injured workers may encounter issues with getting this compensation.
If your employer or their insurer refuses to pay you fair compensation for your injuries, reach out to Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC today. We can assist with many other types of workers’ compensation situations as well. One of our Spartanburg workers’ compensation lawyers would be happy to review your case and help you retrieve the damages you are due. Our Spartanburg South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Lawyer team can also help with a third-party lawsuit.
Some of the Types of Damages You May Be Owed in a Workers’ Compensation Case
The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law covers the benefits available to workers who file a claim after an injury or illness while on the job. These workers’ compensation benefits can allow them to financially support their families despite their loss of income while they recover.
If you have lost your income or need medical care due to your workplace injuries or illness, you may be able to qualify for many different kinds of benefits under workers’ compensation.
You Could Qualify for Wage Reimbursement
When a worker cannot perform their job due to their workplace injuries, the worker may be reimbursed for a portion of their wages. Under South Carolina law, injured workers are eligible for wage compensation once their disability exceeds a certain number of days. The compensation amount is generally two-thirds of the worker’s normal weekly wage.
If you qualify for wage reimbursement, you may have some issues receiving it. For example, you might not start receiving it as soon as you should. You might also have a disagreement about the date when the reimbursement should start. Our firm can help in situations like these. For instance, we could represent your needs to the insurer if they think you should be able to return to work sooner than you and your doctor believe you can.
You Could Also Qualify for Medical Cost Reimbursement
Workplace injuries can range from mild to severe. You may be suffering from repetitive motion injuries, neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, or other types of injuries that require immediate and ongoing medical treatment. To qualify for medical cost reimbursement under workers’ compensation, you must meet a few conditions.
First, you must have sought prompt medical attention and treatment after your workplace incident. Second, you must have told the doctor that your incident occurred in the workplace. Third, you must be able to show that your injuries have left you unable to work. Finally, you need to follow the state’s rules regarding future medical treatment.
A workers’ compensation attorney from our firm can help you understand and meet the conditions for medical cost reimbursement so that you can preserve and prolong your eligibility for it.
You May Deserve a Disability Settlement
After a serious workplace accident, you may have suffered a disability or been exposed to a dangerous substance. If your injury or illness has left you unable to use certain parts of your body, you may be able to pursue a disability claim as part of your workers’ compensation judgment. This type of claim could help you get compensated for your inability to work and even for ongoing medical bills.
One of our attorneys can gather and provide the evidence required for you to receive the disability payments you need under workers’ compensation. Call us today to access your free initial consultation.
You May Be Entitled to Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits
After suffering an on-the-job injury, your injuries may be so severe that you are no longer able to continue in your current line of work. If you are unable to continue working in this industry, you may need to go back to school, obtain further education, or go through additional job training to reenter the workforce.
These opportunities may be costly. Fortunately, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider could be expected to cover the cost. Vocational rehabilitation benefits may be available to you if you can no longer feasibly continue working in your current position.
Surviving Family Members May Qualify for Death Benefits
Work injuries sometimes result in fatalities. For this reason, the surviving family members of those who pass away from fatal work accidents may be entitled to death benefits. Death benefits can include:
- Coverage of the decedent’s funeral and burial expenses
- Compensation for the decedent’s medical expenses
- A percentage of the decedent’s average weekly income
If you are interested in learning more about whether you qualify for any of the previously mentioned types of workers’ compensation benefits, do not hesitate to contact a Spartanburg personal injury attorney to discuss the circumstances of your case.
Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Can Help in Many Ways
At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, we have workers’ compensation lawyers who guide our clients through the process of pursuing compensation for their workplace injuries. As our client, you will get the representation you deserve. We will also do our absolute best to get you the compensation you deserve.
To serve you and build your case, our team can:
- Communicate with the Division of Workers’ Compensation on your behalf
- Interview eyewitnesses who saw the incident at your worksite
- Connect with the doctor who treated you to get information about your injuries and any current and future treatments
- Record your testimony about the incident and how it affected you
- Recruit accident reconstructionists and medical experts if necessary
- Help you gather documents for your claim
- Represent you in court if necessary
We Can Even Help With Workers’ Compensation Claim Denials
There are some gray areas in the law that can delay or even derail a workers’ compensation claim. Even if you think you have a legitimate claim, the insurer may see things differently.
If you are issued a denial for your claim, our team can help you determine and understand the reason. We may even be able to dispute the denial.
Why do Insurance Companies Deny Workers’ Compensation Claims?
Insurance companies give various reasons for denying workers’ compensation claims. However, some reasons are given more often than others. While some insurance company denials are valid, others are done in bad faith.
Some of the more common reasons for workers’ compensation claim denials in Spartanburg include:
- Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident
- Violating your company’s code of conduct
- Failing to provide the insurance company with necessary medical records
- Having a pre-existing medical condition
- Failing to provide the insurance company with your claim in a timely manner
- Failing to inform your employer of your injuries within 30 days
Generally, you can avoid going through a formal appeal by providing the insurer with additional medical records or other documentation to support your right to workers’ compensation benefits. However, if the insurance company refuses to negotiate, our attorney will be prepared to pursue legal action against them.
Follow Through With Your Medical Treatment During a Workers’ Compensation Case
Nothing is more important than your health, but following your treatment plan is critical to successfully receive and maintain benefits during a workers’ compensation case. You will want to make all of your doctor’s appointments and follow through with your prescribed treatment plan completely. Following your treatment plan will help you attain your maximum medical recovery, but it also demonstrates the severity and need for the benefits you are claiming.
If you forgo or delay medical treatment, the insurers could argue that you’re better than you claim. You could lose your workers’ compensation benefits. Protect your health and your case by seeing an approved workers’ compensation doctor and prioritizing your treatment.
Our Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Have Helped Many Others Like You
Our firm can help clients with different types of workers’ compensation claims, including claims with work vehicle accident injuries, injuries from malfunctioning work equipment, illnesses acquired in the workplace, and more.
When you become our client, we commit to provide the support you need, including regular case updates to help keep your mind at ease throughout the process. You can read more about our Spartanburg workers’ compensation lawyer here.
Costs of Hiring a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Spartanburg
Although you may have concerns that hiring a Spartanburg workers’ compensation attorney is going to cost you considerably, you may be surprised to learn that we work with on-the-job injury victims on contingency.
This means you will not be expected to cover anything up front, such as attorney’s fees or other out-of-pocket costs, but the attorney’s fees will be paid as a percentage of the recovery you obtain in the case.
Our Spartanburg Personal Injury Lawyer Can Also Help You Pursue a Liable Third Party
Sometimes, workplace accidents result from the negligence of a third party. If this happens, you would need to file a third-party claim or personal injury lawsuit to pursue damages for your injuries. Unlike a workers’ compensation claim, a personal injury lawsuit requires you to prove another party’s negligence.
Our Spartanburg personal injury attorneys can help you pursue compensation from a third party. Potentially liable parties in workplace accidents can include:
- A subcontractor
- The manufacturer of a defective piece of workplace equipment
- A third-party driver
Our law firm can determine whether you have a case for the civil courts or a workers’ compensation claim and handle the process from start to finish. We can negotiate with insurance companies for a fair settlement. If we have to represent you in a trial, we will not hesitate to do so.
Connect With Our Firm Today for Help With Your Workers’ Compensation Case
Workers’ compensation cases have deadlines, and we can help you meet them. By hiring one of our attorneys right away, you give us the chance to advise you about these deadlines and get to work on your case as soon as possible. We can navigate you through the entire claims process so that you can focus on getting better.
At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, a consultation is completely free of charge. During this consultation, a member of our team will evaluate your case and tell you more about how we can help you. If you were injured at work, you can count on us to fight for your right to compensation. To get started on your case, call our Spartanburg, SC office today for your free consultation.
