The South Carolina workers’ compensation system provides medical care and wage replacement benefits for workers who suffered injuries or illnesses in the course of their employment. Workers rely on this coverage for support, and many injury victims are shocked when their claim for workers compensation benefits is denied. Fortunately, a Lancaster workers’ compensation lawyer is available to help injured employees seek the compensation they need to support themselves and their families.
A dedicated personal injury attorney at Schiller & Hamilton with experience handling these cases could help document your injuries and meet critical deadlines. Legal counsel could answer questions about your injury claim and advocate on your behalf in the event of a denial.
Common Workplace Accidents and Illnesses in Lancaster
Both on-the-job injuries and illnesses can lead to valid claims. While various circumstances can lead to work-related accidents, the following are especially common:
- Falls from machinery, equipment, ladders, and other heights
- Chemical exposure burns
- Neck and back injuries due to heavy lifting
- Slipping and falling on slick surfaces
- Exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins
- Being caught between heavy machinery
- Being crushed by dangerous equipment
- Work-related motor vehicle accidents
Injuries can range from minor bumps and bruises to head trauma, broken bones, and spinal cord injuries. Some workers may fully recover, but others will suffer permanent impairments that prevent them from ever returning to work. In these cases, injury victims may benefit from a Lancaster workers’ compensation lawyer’s assistance.
Workers’ Compensation Filing Deadline in Lancaster, South Carolina
Your first priority after suffering a job-related accident or injury is medical care. While you take care of yourself, our workers’ compensation lawyer can handle your case and comply with the state’s mandatory filing deadlines. According to South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission guidelines, your employer must be notified of an injury or diagnosis within 90 days.
Available Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Lancaster, SC Employees
The benefits available under the workers’ comp system depend on the nature and extent of your injuries. In most cases, these benefits cover medical expenses and income replacement for work-related injuries or illnesses. Compensation for lost wages is typically paid at roughly two-thirds of the injured worker’s average weekly wages.
Workers whose injuries or illnesses cause long-term or permanent impairment can apply for long-term disability payments. As a nearby workers’ compensation attorney in Lancaster may advise, permanent disabilities and corresponding benefits are often the subject of denied claims because they are indefinite. Insurance companies tend to deny coverage to protect their financial interests.
Our workers’ compensation law firm will collect employment and salary history records to accurately document your income.
Our Workers’ Comp Attorney Serving Lancaster Can Handle the Details of Proving Your Right to Workers’ Comp Benefits
Our law firm works hard to meet the individual needs of workers’ compensation claimants. To bolster and support your case, our legal team will take all of the following steps on your behalf:
- Review your employment and medical records
- Compile your work injury-related medical bills
- Consult relevant medical experts
- Clarify your rights as an injured worker
- Explain your employer’s responsibility
- Represent you at all hearings and appearances
Our workers compensation attorneys are on your side. We stop at nothing to help you recover the medical benefits and financial compensation you need and deserve. If your employer does not carry workers’ comp insurance, we will help you file a personal injury lawsuit.
Hear From Previous Schiller & Hamilton Workers’ Compensation Clients
When injured workers we represented talk about their experience with our law firm. they leave online reviews like the following:
- Deborah I. C.: I was let to the Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm after a terrible injury to my back that happened on the job … This firm and their staff treated me like family, and I am sure this is how he has built his reputation in the community.
- Evelyn and James J.: The attention that my husband’s case received from Schiller & Hamilton was far more than we could have expected or hoped for … I would recommend them to anyone in need of an attorney. We were so happy with the way they handled my husband’s workman’s comp case.
Read additional reviews from clients we represented by browsing our testimonials page and learn more about what it means to be represented by our results-driven legal team.
Denial and Appeals of Workers’ Compensation Claims in Lancaster
For various reasons, injured employees may receive a denial of workers compensation benefits. Denials can be frustrating and stressful, especially when a worker is struggling with their physical health and unable to work. Although appeals are available, they have strict deadlines.
In these situations, injured workers should consider contacting legal counsel as quickly as possible. The first step is to request an informal hearing before a state workers’ compensation commissioner. This hearing, however, is just one step in a multi-layered process that may necessitate the assistance of a Lancaster workers’ compensation lawyer.
Call a Lancaster Workers’ Compensation Attorney for Help
If you are coping with a workplace injury or illness, you deserve to focus on your physical and mental health. The need to support yourself financially, however, often creates even more stress. If you are in this situation, our Lancaster workers’ compensation lawyer could help you pursue a claim for benefits and meet the insurance company’s deadlines and demands.
To discuss your situation and compensation options, reach out to a workers’ compensation team member at Schiller & Hamilton today to schedule a consultation.