North Charleston Workers’ Compensation Attorney for Injured Warehouse Workers

More than 1.1 million people work in warehouses in the United States. The number of warehouse workers has been growing steadily for years due to the changing nature of commerce. Unfortunately, working in a warehouse setting can be extremely dangerous and many of these employees are hurt or killed while on the job in this industry.

Being injured at work threatens a person’s livelihood and their ability to provide for themselves and their family. The effects of an injury extend far beyond just the physical. Lost income and earning potential, permanent disability, medical debt, bankruptcy, drug addiction and other difficult issues have all been caused by just one workplace accident.

If you or a loved one were hurt or killed while working in a warehouse in North Charleston, South Carolina, call the workers’ compensation attorneys at Steinberg Law Firm. You could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for your injury and you deserve to be paid fairly.

Warehouse Dangers

Depending on the type of work being done, warehouses provide endless opportunities for injury. Some warehouse tasks with high injury rates include:

• Climbing ladders
• Operating forklifts, pallet jacks, and other heavy machinery
• Picking products for shipment
• Unpacking incoming stock
• Inspecting goods
• Sorting orders
• Lifting heavy objects
• Processing items on a conveyor belt
• Using repetitive hand motions
• Working near or with automated machines and robots

In addition to the general risks involved with this type of job, some warehouse employees also face poor working conditions. The risk of injury and death rises significantly when safety is not a high priority for management. Mental health can suffer too.

Common Warehouse Injuries

The type of work that is done and materials handled in the warehouse influence the risk to workers but there are threats everywhere. The injuries sustained while working in a warehouse can be serious and even fatal. Common injuries suffered by warehouse workers include:

• Broken bones
• Back and neck strain
• Spinal injuries
• Traumatic head injuries
• Burns
• Cuts and lacerations
• Severed/crushed fingers
• Carpal tunnel syndrome (from making repetitive motions)

South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Basics

South Carolina requires employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees in most cases. These protections allow workers who have been injured while at work to recover medical costs, lost wages and other expenses incurred as a result of their accident.

In exchange, injured workers cannot sue their employer for their injury. Workers’ compensation claims are not based on negligence, meaning the employer does not need to be at fault for the injury for you to be compensated like they would in a personal injury lawsuit. If the injury occurred while working in a warehouse or otherwise within the scope of employment it likely will be covered under South Carolina’s workers’ compensation laws.

However, even though workers’ compensation benefits are available to all injured workers, the amount granted to the worker is still subject to an insurance company’s claims process. This can become a complicated and frustrating ordeal.

Do I Need an Attorney for My Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Insurance companies are notoriously difficult to work with. Adjusters are trained to take any opportunity to reduce a payout and can be quite aggressive and underhanded. Insurance companies make the process frustrating on purpose, hoping that injured workers will give up and accept a lower settlement just to get it over with.

Hiring a workers’ compensation attorney levels the playing field. Attorneys understand the tactics used by insurance companies and employers to avoid paying and they know how to counter them. Your attorney will fight for you and negotiate a fair workers’ compensation settlement.

In addition, workers’ compensation laws are complicated. An attorney will follow the required legal process exactly and help your claim run smoothly. Knowing that the details of your case are being handled by a professional can help you focus your energy on healing, not on stressful legalities.

Depending on the details of the injury, you could also file a personal injury claim in addition to workers’ compensation. A workers’ compensation claim does not need to be based on negligence but that does not mean fault cannot be found. If the negligence of a third party contributed to the injury, for example in an equipment malfunction situation, they could potentially be held liable.

What to Do If You Are Hurt at Work

There are steps to take after an injury on the job and it is essential that they are followed exactly to preserve your rights.

• Notify a supervisor immediately of your injury. The incident must be documented properly. The insurance company will be looking at details like this when they investigate your claim. File a report as soon as you can so you recall as much as possible.
• Get medical attention. Obviously, if the injury is severe immediate care will be necessary. It is still critical to be seen by a doctor even if you think your injury is minor or that you can get through it. Pain and damage can develop hours or even days after the incident occurred. At that point, more damage could have been done by going without treatment or working through the pain and the insurance company could exploit the delay in care as evidence that the injury is less serious than it really is.
• Follow company protocol and instructions related to the workers’ compensation process. For example, your employer has the right to choose which physician you should see. If you see another provider without your employer’s consent, those expenses may not be covered.
• Speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. Workers’ compensation laws are complicated and the process of filing a claim can become tedious. An attorney will make sure all protocols are followed and that you are paid for your injury by the insurance company and your employer.

Contact a North Charleston Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today

If you have been hurt while working in a warehouse in North Charleston, South Carolina you have rights and deserve to be compensated fairly. Do not let insurance companies play games with you or your livelihood.

Call one of the workers’ compensation lawyers at Steinberg Law Firm if you or a loved one were injured or killed on the job. Our Charleston office can be reached by calling (843) 720-2800. As always, your initial consultation is free.