North Charleston Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Work Comp Attorneys for On-the-Job Injuries and Fatalities in South Carolina

The workplace is where many of us spend most of the hours that we are not at home. Given the amount of time spent at work, it may not come as a surprise that North Charleston work injuries are extremely common, even in those occupations that do not have a reputation for being dangerous. Employees who suffer a work-related injury may qualify for South Carolina workers’ compensation benefits.

The workers’ compensation program was designed to help injured workers get back on their feet and back to work. However, in reality, accident victims often face significant challenges when attempting to obtain benefits. 

At the Steinberg Law Firm, we help injured workers understand their rights and obtain the benefits they deserve. Our South Carolina workers’ compensation lawyers have over 170 years of combined legal experience handling workers’ compensation claims and possess the knowledge and professionalism to take your case from beginning to end with the utmost care and consideration. We have recovered over $1 billion for our clients.

How North Charleston Workplace Injuries May Occur

Workplace injuries can occur in any workplace, in many different situations. Some scenarios are more common than others, however, and some are more likely to lead to serious or fatal injuries. 

The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identifies four main causes of death and serious injury in US workplaces:

• Falls. Falls can cause significant injury, whether they occur on the same level or are a fall from a height. Fall prevention equipment, perimeter protection, and other equipment and tools are designed to help prevent falls, but unfortunately, many workplaces do not employ these devices when needed.
• Struck-by injuries. Struck-by injuries occur when a person is struck by a vehicle, object, or equipment..
• Caught in or between. Getting caught in a trench or a piece of equipment, pinned by falling materials, or trapped between a vehicle and another object are all examples of caught-in or caught-between injuries. 
• Electrocution. Today’s workplaces are full of electrical equipment. Many jobs also involve active work on electrical systems. Electrocution causes serious injuries and deaths in workplaces each year. 

Other situations can cause injuries at work as well. For instance, the aggressive or violent behavior of a co-worker or customer can result in injuries. Negligence by the maker of a tool or piece of equipment can introduce hidden defects that cause harm to a worker. Exposure to excessive heat, cold, or toxic chemicals is another common way workers are injured or suffer occupational illnesses.

Common Types of North Charleston Work-Related Accidents

A serious workplace accident can occur in any occupation, even those that are not traditionally thought of as dangerous. The nature and extent of an on-the-job accident will depend on many factors, including the type of job and how the injury occurred. The following are some of the most common workplace injuries:

• Back injuries, including bulging/herniated disc injuries
• Broken bones & fractures
• Burns, bruises & lacerations
• Death
• Exposure to chemicals
• Hand, wrist & shoulder injuries
• Head & neck injuries
• Hearing & vision loss
• Hernias
• Leg, hip & knee injuries
• Slip, trip, and fall accidents
• Torn muscles & ligaments
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Vehicle accidents

Regardless of the type of injury you suffered, the knowledgeable North Charleston workers’ compensation attorneys at Steinberg Law Firm can help. It is crucial to act quickly to preserve your rights.

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in South Carolina

Workers’ compensation protects employees who are injured on the job and those who experience an occupational illness. 

If you are injured at work, report your injuries to your employer immediately.  Ask your employer for a list of authorized doctors under workers’ compensation. If you see a doctor not on the list, your medical expenses may not be covered.

Report your injury to a manager or supervisor. When your employer receives a report, they contact their workers’ compensation insurer to begin the claims process. The workers’ compensation insurance company assigns an adjuster to evaluate your claim.

Typically, you have 90 days from the date of the injury to report it. If you don’t report it within that timeframe, you may lose the ability to collect workers’ compensation benefits. 

In some cases, your employer or their workers’ compensation insurer may delay or deny benefits. If this happens, speak to an experienced attorney as soon as possible. 

Workers’ Compensation Benefits For North Charleston Workers

Workers’ compensation provides three main types of benefits for South Carolina employees:

• Medical benefits. These benefits pay for the medical care you need after an injury or occupational illness. 
• Lost wages. These benefits replace a portion of your wages while you recover from your injuries, including any time you spend in an alternate job or on light duty while you heal.
• Permanent disability. These benefits provide some support if your injuries prevent you from working again. 

The Workers’ Compensation Commission sets several rules and guidelines for which benefits are paid, how they’re paid, and for how long. Most employers have workers’ compensation insurance, which pays for workers’ comp benefits when a worker is injured. Insurers may delay your claim, argue about which benefits you should receive, or refuse to pay some or all benefits entirely. 

Recovering from serious injuries is a full-time job. Fighting for your workers’ compensation benefits makes your recovery and overall well-being that much more difficult. Our office can assist you in securing the benefits you rightfully deserve. Talk to our experienced North Charleston workers’ compensation attorneys today. 

North Charleston Workers’ Compensation Claims vs. Personal Injury Claims

Those who have been injured in a workplace accident may be able to bring two types of claims. The first, and most common, is a North Charleston workers’ compensation claim. The South Carolina workers’ compensation program is a no-fault system that allows injured employees to recover from their injuries without needing to prove that their employer was at fault for their injury.

Unfortunately, employers and workers’ comp insurance companies do not always play by the rules when it comes to approving an injured worker’s claim. Often, insurance companies will deny a claim or dispute the seriousness of a worker’s injuries. When this occurs, the assistance of a dedicated North Charleston workers’ compensation attorney is critical.

The workers’ compensation system does not allow an employee to file a lawsuit against their employer. However, an employee may file a personal injury claim against a third party who contributed to or caused the accident. Third parties that may be liable for an employee’s damages include:

• Customers
• Defective equipment manufacturers
• Independent contractors
• Other motorists
• Outside vendors
• Public utility providers

For example, suppose a delivery driver is making deliveries as part of their daily tasks when another driver runs a red light and hits the delivery truck. The delivery driver may have a claim for compensation against the driver who ran the red light, in addition to their workers’ compensation claim. In this case, there is a benefit to having a law firm that handles both workers’ comp cases and personal injury cases. The coordination and timing of these two separate actions require a firm experienced and knowledgeable in both.

Another common situation occurs when a hidden defect in a workplace tool or piece of equipment causes injuries. Often, it’s not possible to know a tool has a defect until it’s too late. Here, the injured person can seek workers’ compensation benefits while they also seek compensation from the company that manufactured or designed the defective tool. 

Determining the type of claim to bring after a North Charleston workplace injury can be challenging. It is crucial to discuss this choice with an experienced work injury attorney.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a North Charleston Workplace Injury Lawyer Today

At the Steinberg Law Firm, we help injured workers and their families move on after serious workplace accidents. If you or someone you love has recently been injured in a North Charleston workplace accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Depending on the facts surrounding the accident, recovery may be possible through either a personal injury or workers’ compensation claim.

At the Steinberg Law Firm, we have successfully been helping accident victims and their families pursue the compensation they deserve for over 95 years. We can help you determine the right type of claim to maximize your chances of obtaining the compensation you need and deserve following an accident. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation with an attorney, call 843-720-2800. You can also reach us through our online form.