Aiken, SC Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

Top-Rated Attorneys Assist Those With On-the-Job Injuries in Aiken, South Carolina

Aiken’s population has increased steadily since the 1970s. As Aiken grows, so does the number of businesses and workplaces that support Aiken’s community and population. The civilian labor force in Aiken has shown a consistent upward trend since the 1980s, dropping only slightly after the 2009 recession. 

Work can be a fulfilling activity. However, work can also be dangerous. Employees who suffer work-related injuries or occupational illnesses in South Carolina can seek workers’ compensation benefits. Other compensation may be available if a third party is partly or totally responsible for your injuries, such as a car crash while driving for work.

To learn more about your options after a work-related injury or illness, speak to an experienced Aiken workers’ compensation attorney today. 

Workforce and Injury Statistics

By the end of 2024, South Carolina was home to over 195,000 businesses employing over 2.3 million workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

In 2023, the BLS reported the following statistics from South Carolina employers on workplace injuries and illnesses. 

• 30,100 workers, or 1.9 percent of the workforce, suffered non-fatal injuries or occupational illnesses on the job in South Carolina.
• 19,000 workers suffered injuries or illnesses so severe that the workers had to take time off work, switch to a lighter-duty job, or accept job restrictions.
• 12,200 South Carolina workers needed at least one day off work to recover after a work-related injury or illness. 
• 6,800 workers needed a job transfer or job restriction to make work accessible while they healed. 

Any job can result in injury. However, BLS statistics indicate that some South Carolina jobs are more dangerous than others. In 2023, the industries with the highest rates of injury included manufacturing, construction, transportation, education and health services, and the leisure and hospitality industry.

Aiken and Aiken County are home to several businesses and organizations that fall within the BLS’s top categories for South Carolina workplace injuries, including:

• Carlisle Tire & Wheel (manufacturing)
• Aiken Regional Medical Centers (health services)
• AGY (manufacturing)
• Savannah River Remediation (construction and transportation)
• Fenix Manufacturing Services (manufacturing)
• Lower Savannah Council (education and health services)
• Aiken County Public Schools (education and health services)

Some workplace injuries prove fatal. In 2023, 112 people died on the job in South Carolina, according to the BLS. This number represents a decrease from the previous year, yet it indicates that there is still work to be done to ensure a safe workplace for all South Carolina workers. 

Common Causes of Workplace Injuries in Aiken and Aiken County

The BLS and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identify four common causes of workplace deaths and Injuries in South Carolina:

• Transportation incidents: In 2023, 39 percent of fatal South Carolina workplace accidents involved transportation incidents, including car accidents.
• Exposure to harmful substances and environments: Toxic substances, extreme temperatures, and other harmful substances and environments caused 21 percent of workplace deaths in South Carolina in 2023.
• Slips, trips, and falls on the job accounted for 16 percent of South Carolina job-related deaths in 2023.
• Contact incidents, such as being pinned under falling loads or trapped between objects, accounted for ten percent of South Carolina job-related deaths in 2023. 

Other accidents and incidents can also cause fatal and non-fatal workplace injuries. For example, aggressive customers or patients can cause harm to those in customer-facing roles or healthcare settings. Other sources of serious injury can occur as well. 

Workers’ Compensation in South Carolina

After a workplace injury or a diagnosis of an occupational illness, it’s common to wonder whether and how you can seek compensation. Workers’ compensation exists to help employees who suffer injuries or illnesses connected to their work. 

Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance. Employers in South Carolina purchase workers’ compensation insurance (or self-insure). If an employee is injured or develops a work-related illness, workers’ compensation provides specific benefits to support them.

Workers’ compensation applies only to employees. It does not apply to independent contractors. If you suspect you were incorrectly classified as a contractor, speak to an experienced Aiken workers’ compensation lawyer. 

What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Available After an Aiken Work-Related Injury?

Workers’ compensation covers several categories of benefits:

• Medical benefits. Medical benefits cover medical needs, like doctor’s visits, medications, and medical devices. Coverage for future medical expenses may also be available. To help secure your access to medical benefits, see a physician approved by your employer for workers’ compensation needs.
• Lost wages. Benefits for lost wages help cover money you may be unable to earn while you heal from your injuries. 
• Permanent disability. Permanent disability benefits provide support if your injuries result in the permanent loss of a body part or otherwise prevent you from working again. 

If a workplace injury claims a life, an employee’s family may also seek death benefits. These benefits can help cover the cost of a funeral, burial, and related expenses. The types of benefits available often depend on the type and extent of injury or illness. Talk to a knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyer in Aiken to learn more. 

How Do I Start My Workers’ Compensation Claim? 

Report your injury or illness to your employer as soon as possible. You can report to a manager, supervisor, on-site nurse, or anyone in a position of authority at your workplace.

Report your injury or illness promptly. If you don’t report it within 90 days, you may not be able to access workers’ compensation benefits. 

When you report your injury, ask for the contact information for an approved medical professional. South Carolina workers’ compensation law allows your employer to select the doctor you see for treatment. If you see another medical professional, your medical bills might not be covered by workers’ compensation. Ask your employer which doctor they want you to see. 

Your employer will open a claim with their workers’ compensation attorney. 

What is “Maximum Medical Improvement”? Why Does It Matter?

Maximum medical improvement (MMI) occurs when your injuries have healed as far as they are likely to heal. Once you reach MMI, any remaining disabilities are considered permanent. You may still need medical treatment once reaching MMI, but your treatment will focus on managing your disabilities rather than on healing an injury.

Reaching MMI is an important step in a workers’ compensation case. Once you reach MMI, your attorney, your employer, and the workers’ compensation employer can begin to consider essential questions, like:

• To what extent are you permanently disabled?
• How will your long-term or permanent disabilities affect your ability to work?
• What medical treatment, therapy, or ongoing care are you likely to need? 

Once a doctor determines you have reached MMI, your employer may request a functional capacity evaluation (FCE). This evaluation aims to assess your ability to perform work-related tasks effectively. 

Since MMI is typically based on a doctor’s clinical findings, physicians can differ in some cases about whether a patient has reached MMI and what it means for the patient’s long-term functioning. If disputes arise about your disabilities, speak to an experienced attorney. Your lawyer can help you gather evidence and demonstrate your limitations and needs. 

Compensation Beyond a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Workers’ compensation protects South Carolina employees who suffer work-related injuries or occupational illnesses. Some work-related injuries and illnesses, may result from the negligence of a third party – not you or your employer, but another person or company. 

Examples of situations in which a third party causes a work-related injury include:

• A truck driver is transporting cargo when another vehicle runs a red light and hits the truck, injuring the driver.
• A hidden defect in a tool causes the tool to overheat on a job site, burning the worker using it. 
• An aggressive customer attacks a cashier, causing harm. 
• A delivery person is dropping off packages when a homeowner’s dog attacks, causing injuries.

When a third party’s negligence causes harm, a knowledgeable Aiken workers’ compensation lawyer who is also experienced in personal injury law can help you hold this person or company accountable for their actions. In many cases, we see clients who actually have two separate cases: a workers’ comp claim and a personal injury claim.

How an Experienced Aiken, SC Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help

Navigating workers’ compensation can be a challenging process. It’s even tougher when you’re struggling to recover from serious injuries or grieving the sudden loss of a loved one. When you’re facing the weight of medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses, dealing with insurance delays or denials can feel impossible. 

You’re not alone. An experienced Aiken workers’ compensation lawyer can:

• Investigate your claim, collect evidence, and build a strong case for the compensation you need.
• Negotiate with insurance companies and other parties to reach a fair settlement.
• Identify any other parties responsible for your injuries and hold them accountable. 
• Represent you at trial if needed. 

To learn more, reach out to the Steinberg Law Firm today. Our experienced Aiken workers’ compensation lawyers can help you understand and protect your legal rights.