Have you been injured on the job in Edgefield County, South Carolina? Don’t settle for less than your workers’ compensation claim for benefits is worth. Call Hawk Law Group, and enlist the help of our qualified and experienced Edgefield County workers’ compensation lawyers.
For decades, our award-winning South Carolina litigators have been standing up to protect the rights of injured workers across the state. We take on powerful employers and insurance companies, working hard to ensure that our clients’ stories are heard and that they’re properly compensated for their work-related trauma.
Fierce dedication has helped us win tens of millions in benefits, settlements, and jury awards.
Benefit from our 71+ years of combined experience. Contact our law office serving Edgefield County, SC to set up a free case evaluation now.
How Our Edgefield County Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You Fight For Maximum Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Are you covered by workers’ compensation? What steps do you have to take to get benefits? How can you know if the benefits offered by your employer’s insurance company are fair? What if your claim is denied? What can you do then?
Focus on your recovery. Get back on your feet. Let our Edgefield County personal injury attorneys handle your claim for benefits and fight the insurance company for top results.
We’re a team of highly respected South Carolina trial attorneys who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of the injured workers we represent.
Call our Edgefield County personal injury law firm for help, and you can count on us to:
- Help you obtain medical treatment and care within the guidelines set by your employer
- Seek an independent medical evaluation, if necessary
- Carefully investigate the details of your work-related injury or illness
- Gather evidence to help build a strong claim for benefits, including photographs, medical records, accident reports, and witness statements
- Consult experts and specialists who can provide critical insight into your case
- Prepare and file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits on your behalf
- Handle settlement negotiations with the insurance carrier on your behalf
If your claim is denied, or if the insurance company extends an unreasonably low benefits package, our accomplished litigators will not hesitate to appeal the decision. We’ll advocate for you passionately before a panel and work to get the best possible outcome for you and your family.
There’s no cost to hire our Edgefield County personal injury law firm unless we win your fight for workers’ compensation benefits. Call our legal team in Edgefield to learn more about our contingency fees and top-tier representation today.
What is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is an insurance system that most employers in the state of South Carolina must opt into.
If your employer has four or more employees, they’re probably legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance.
Through this insurance policy, you can recover benefits for the costs and losses associated with job-related injuries and illnesses.
In exchange for an accelerated path to benefits, you forfeit the right to sue your employer.
Ultimately, the system aims to help injured workers get back on their feet and protect employers from endless litigation when employees get hurt on the job.
Do I Qualify for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
You may qualify for workers’ compensation insurance benefits if:
- Your employer has four or more employees and is not exempt from coverage requirements,
- You are classified as an employee rather than an independent contractor, and
- You suffer an injury or illness in the course of your employment.
Your injury or illness must be work-related. You can recover compensation if you were hurt in a car accident on the clock, but not if you got into a wreck while commuting to or from your job.
Your employer and their insurance company might try to fight you when you file a claim. They might argue that you’re not a covered employee. Our workers’ compensation attorneys in Edgefield County can help you fight back and make sure that you’re not misclassified or deprived of benefits to which you’re legally entitled.
What Injuries Are Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
Any injury or illness you develop through the course of your employment can qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.
This includes:
- Broken bones
- Joint injuries
- Repetitive motion injury
- Cuts and lacerations
- Crushing injury
- Electrocution
- Whiplash
- Nerve damage
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Back injury
- Neck injury
- Occupational illness or disease, including cancer
- Infections
- Burns
- Complete or partial amputation
- Degloving
- Catastrophic injury
- Wrongful death
You must notify your employer of your injury within 90 days. Failing to do so can prevent you from successfully recovering benefits through their workers’ compensation insurance policy.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim For Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Edgefield County, South Carolina?
You should report the injury to your employer as soon as possible but no later than 90 days from the injury date.
Once you’ve been injured on the job in Edgefield County, you will have up to two years to formally file a claim for workers’ compensation insurance benefits.
The clock begins to run on the date of your accident or diagnosis, whichever is later.
Do not let too much time pass by without taking action. If the statute of limitations expires, you lose out on much-needed compensation.
What Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Available in South Carolina?
Since workers’ compensation is an insurance policy, there are specific benefits to which you may be entitled if you’re hurt at work.
Medical Benefits
Your employer should cover 100 percent of the medical bills related to your workplace injury. However, there are limits as to where treatment can be sought and from whom. You must seek treatment from a pre-approved provider to be eligible for medical care benefits.
Total Disability Benefits
If your injury prevents you from working for more than seven days, you can recover benefits for your lost wages. Typically, benefits are the equivalent of two-thirds of your average weekly wage prior to your injury. For injuries sustained after 1/1/23, weekly benefits are capped at $1,035.78.
If your injury prevents you from working for more than two weeks, you can receive benefits dating back to the date your doctor sidelined you from work.
Total disability benefits are payable for up to 500 weeks.
Partial Disability Benefits
If you can return to work in some capacity, you may qualify for partial disability benefits. These benefits help to offset the difference between your pre-injury wage and what you’re capable of earning now.
Partial disability is calculated to equal two-thirds of the difference between your pre-and-post injury wages.
Partial disability benefits can be paid for up to 340 weeks.
Lifetime Benefits
If your workplace injury leaves you permanently and totally disabled, you may qualify for lifetime benefits. Typically, situations involving paralysis, traumatic brain injury, and other debilitating conditions can qualify for lifetime benefits.
Death Benefits
Sadly, many workplace accidents in South Carolina are fatal. If you’ve lost a close family member in a fatal work accident in Edgefield County, you may be able to receive death benefits through their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy. Benefits can help to cover the costs of a funeral and compensate for your loved one’s lost wages and financial support.
As you can see, you’re only entitled to economic damages through workers’ compensation. However, there’s the possibility that you could recover additional compensation through a related personal injury lawsuit. While you generally cannot sue your employer, you do reserve the right to take legal action against a liable third party.
Through a lawsuit against a product manufacturer, co-worker, contractor, or property owner, you could also potentially recover compensation for your non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering. Punitive damages can also potentially be awarded in a lawsuit.
Can I Get Workers’ Compensation Benefits Even If I’m Partly to Blame For My Injuries?
Yes. South Carolina has a no-fault workers’ compensation system. So, you are entitled to benefits under your employer’s policy even if you contributed to your workplace injury or illness.
Keep in mind that shared fault can impact your right to file a separate personal injury lawsuit for damages. You may find that your financial recovery is limited or barred in these situations.
Our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers in Edgefield County can help you explore your legal options and work toward a meaningful financial recovery after a work-related injury.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Respected Edgefield County Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
Claims for workers’ compensation benefits can be challenging. Your employer’s insurance company will work hard to deny your claim or limit your benefits. The best way to get the benefits you deserve is by calling Hawk Law Group for help.
Our Edgefield County workers’ compensation attorneys have decades of experience fighting insurance companies and protecting the rights of injured workers in South Carolina.
We’ve helped our clients win tens of millions of dollars in life-changing benefits and financial awards.
Put our experience and resources to work for your benefit. Call Hawk Law Group’s law office in Edgefield County, SC to set up a free, no-obligation case assessment today.
