As a worker in South Carolina, Workers’ Compensation (WC) provides a safety net to address medical expenses and lost wages in the event you are injured on the job. But strict rules and timelines impact your eligibility for thee benefits, so getting assistance from an experienced personal injury attorney to guide you through the process may be advisable.
Types of Injuries at Work in Greenville, SC
Workplace injuries may be impacted by many factors, such as long-term exposure to toxins, repetitive motions, emotional stress, or single incidents. Examples include:
- Firemen breathing in smoke and getting lung cancer;
- Secretaries developing carpal tunnel syndrome after years of typing;
- A traumatic event causing serious psychological damage to a police officer;
- Falling from a ladder and sustaining a back injury.
Occupational Diseases in Greenville, SC
Certain hazards are associated with particular occupations or duties, and treatment is covered by Workers’ Compensation. There are many examples of conditions directly connected to exposure to hazardous materials, including:
- Pulmonary disease
- Cancer
- Respiratory illnesses
- Skin problems
- Gastrointestinal diseases
- Reproductive issues
Reporting Injuries and Filing a Workers Compensation Claim
It is essential that you report the incident to your employer as soon as possible after sustaining or being diagnosed with a workplace injury or illness. This is critical, because if you allow 90 days to pass after a diagnosis without notifying your employer, you may become ineligible for benefits.
File a Workers Compensation Claim
If your employer doesn’t report the incident, workers may do so themselves using one of two forms provided by Workers’ Compensation. Do this as quickly as possible, and not more than two years following an accident or illness.
Medical Care
Workers’ Compensation will pay for medical care required to lessen or eliminate your disability. This may include:
- Surgery expenses;
- Physical therapy
- Hospital stays;
- Medical equipment;
- Prescriptions;
- Prosthetics;
- Travel expenses related to medical care;
- Psychological care.
Wage Benefits
If your illness or injury interferes with your ability to work, you may be eligible for compensation at a rate of 66 2/3 percent of your typical earnings over the previous four quarters, up to a predetermined maximum amount of nearly $840.00 per week. Eligibility for these payments occurs following a seven-day waiting period, and will then be made directly to you.
Light Duty
In some cases, individuals are capable of returning to work with certain limitations. Workers must accept these light duty assignments, and are eligible for financial remuneration if such positions provide lower earnings than previously earned.
Your Greenville, SC Workers Compensation Claim
It is important to recognize that workers’ compensation is a huge system, and individuals frequently find the system to be unwieldy and convoluted. That is why the experienced legal team at Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm takes such pride in efficiently and effectively addressing your concerns with workers’ compensation. Whether you are just initiating the relationship with WC, or have been buried by paperwork related to your case over time, let us help. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.