Myrtle Beach Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

South Carolina Workers’ Comp Lawyers Help Those Injured On the Job in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a busy tourist destination, which means the area also employs thousands of South Carolina workers in the hospitality, retail, and other industries. While these workers strive to stay safe on the job, avoiding workplace injury or illness isn’t always possible.

In 2022, the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recorded reports of 34,100 workplace injuries in South Carolina. For every 1,000 workers in South Carolina, 23 suffered injuries or illnesses connected to their work. 

Of the 34,100 on-the-job injuries and illnesses recorded in 2022, 21,000 were serious enough to require the worker to take at least one day off work to recover. Many workers needed two or more days off work. Some were injured so badly they could not return to work at all. 

Medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses pile up quickly after a work-related injury or illness. When employers and their workers’ compensation insurance carriers delay, deny, and stall, employees need help. An experienced Myrtle Beach workers’ compensation lawyer, like those at the Steinberg Law Firm, can help. 

Myrtle Beach Workplace Injury Statistics

According to the BLS, about 213,000 people are employed in the Myrtle Beach civilian labor force. These include 43,400 trade, transportation, and utility workers and 45,600 leisure and hospitality workers. Thousands more work for other types of businesses in and around Myrtle Beach. 

Trade, transportation, and utilities workers in South Carolina reported 3,000 non-fatal work-related injuries and illnesses in 2022, according to the BLS. About 1,700 leisure and hospitality workers also reported injuries. 

While trade, transportation, and utilities workers did not have the highest injury or illness rates of any South Carolina industry, they were more likely to require more time away from work. Although leisure and hospitality workers had lower rates of lost work days, at least 600 required one or more days off work to heal after workplace injuries in 2022. 

Common Workplace Injuries in Horry County

Many workplace injuries and illnesses may occur, and many are covered by workers’ compensation. Common workplace injuries include:

• Head, neck, and back injuries.
• Broken bones, sprained muscles, and damaged tendons or ligaments.
• Slipped discs and similar back injuries.
• Amputations and crush injuries.
• Temperature-related conditions like heatstroke and hypothermia.
• Thermal, electrical, chemical, or friction burns.
• Damage to sight, hearing, and other sensory or internal organs. 

For some South Carolina employees, these injuries and illnesses are directly related to work. A worker may suffer broken bones if their hand is trapped in a freezer door, for example, or may experience a heat-related illness from long hours spent installing a roof in a South Carolina summer. 

For others, the connection to work is less clear – but still present. For example, we’ve helped workers who have fallen off desk chairs, tripped on potholes in an employer’s parking lot, or been attacked by geese on their employer’s property. If you’ve experienced any type of injury or illness at work, talk to a Myrtle Beach workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible.  

What To Do After You’ve Been Injured at Work

If you were injured at work, start by notifying your employer as soon as possible. Once your employer knows about the injury, they can provide you with the necessary paperwork and start the process of receiving medical care.

Get emergency medical care immediately if needed. For all other medical care, make sure the doctor you see is approved by your employers’ workers’ compensation insurer. If you want a second opinion from another physician, ask the insurer to approve the visit. 

File your claim with the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC) as soon as possible, but within two years of the date of your injuries. If you’re filing for a loved one who died from a workplace injury or illness, file within two years of the date of death. Forms are available on the WCC website. 

Attend all your doctor’s appointments. Tell your doctor about all symptoms, injuries, or illnesses you’re experiencing. Your doctor needs this information to provide appropriate treatment and to create a record that describes the full extent of your losses. 

Finally, reach out to an experienced attorney if you have questions or experience issues with your workers’ compensation claim.

Signs You Need an Experienced Myrtle Beach Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Some workers’ compensation claims proceed smoothly, providing the support employees need after an injury. Others get complicated. Here are several signs you may need to speak to a workers’ compensation attorney:

• Your employer or their insurer denies your injuries or illness are connected to work. If they claim that your injury or illness started outside of work or that they’re not responsible for your work-related injury, don’t take their word for it. Talk to a lawyer to better understand how the law applies in your situation. 
• Your employer claims you’re not covered by workers’ compensation. If your employer claims you’re a contractor or that you fall under an exception for workers’ compensation coverage, talk to an attorney to clarify your situation. 
• Your employer or their insurer delays or does nothing. Once you notify your employer, your employer must provide you with workers’ compensation-related paperwork, notify the WCC, and file a claim with its insurance carrier. If your employer doesn’t take these steps, your claim might be in jeopardy. 
• The insurer won’t pay for a treatment an approved doctor recommends. This happens most often with rehabilitation claims, but it’s possible with any type of treatment. If insurance approves your doctor but won’t cover the treatment your doctor prescribes, talk to a lawyer.
• The insurer denies your claim. South Carolina law allows you to appeal the denial of a workers’ compensation claim. Appeals can be complex, however, and it’s best to work with an experienced attorney who can stand up on your behalf against the insurance company. 
• Your disabilities may permanently prevent you from returning to your old job. Any partial or total disability might limit the work you can do – or prevent you from working at all. Insurers are more likely to fight these claims because they are more expensive. If you’re facing partial or total permanent disability, having a lawyer on your side can help ensure you receive all the compensation you need. 
• You have “unscheduled” injuries. “Scheduled” injuries are listed in the South Carolina workers’ compensation statute and come with specific calculations for paying benefits. “Unscheduled” injuries are not listed. If your injuries include mental or emotional trauma connected to physical harm, underlying conditions aggravated by work conditions, or other unscheduled injuries, an attorney can help ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries or illness. 
• You plan to file for Social Security disability benefits. Social Security disability claims and workers’ compensation claims can affect one another. If you’re receiving workers’ compensation, your Social Security disability benefits might be lower. An attorney can structure your settlement, so you receive the maximum benefits from both sources, ensuring you can provide the maximum support to your family and household. 

Another reason to hire an attorney is if you have other legal claims related to your workers’ compensation claim. For example: 

• If your employer fires, demotes, or otherwise retaliates against you for filing for workers’ compensation benefits, you may have an employment law claim.
• If your injuries were caused by the negligence of a third party, like a drunk driver or the manufacturer of a defective product, you may have a personal injury claim. 

These legal claims are separate from your workers’ compensation claim. However, your workers’ compensation claim can affect, and be affected by, other legal claims. An attorney with experience in workers’ compensation and other types of law can help you navigate your claims, gather evidence, and protect your legal rights. 

The Steinberg Law Firm is Here to Help

Workers’ compensation claims can quickly become complex. Your employer or their insurer may argue that your injury isn’t work-related. They may try to claim that you aren’t an employee and thus cannot file for benefits. They may deny your request for a second medical opinion, forcing you to seek a WCC hearing to settle the matter. They may delay in paying your benefits or try to pay less than you’re owed. 

Dealing with these tactics can be tough, even for healthy people. When you’re struggling to recover from a serious injury or face the sudden loss of a loved one, dealing with employers and insurers can be even tougher. 

At the Steinberg Law Firm, we have a long history of standing up for injured South Carolina workers. Our attorneys fought to shape the state’s workers’ compensation law to give injured employees full, fair compensation. We represented the first black worker in a workers’ compensation claim in the state. Today, we continue fighting for injured workers and their families. 

If you’ve been injured or suffered illness due to work, reach out to the team at the Steinberg Law Firm today. We’re here to help Myrtle Beach employees get the compensation they need.