Workplace injuries, especially those resulting in lost wages and steep medical bills, are often overwhelming for South Carolina families. It is a difficult situation to face; not only are you managing daily pain, but you are also concerned about covering hospital bills, keeping up with household expenses, and supporting your family. Workers’ compensation should provide stability during your recovery, but too often, insurers dispute claims or delay payments. When that happens, you need a strong strategy and an experienced South Carolina workplace injury lawyer on your side.
At Lee Injury Law, LLC, we help workers across South Carolina navigate the workers’ compensation system. Our hardworking, attentive team is here to lead you through every step, with no upfront costs, to help get you the benefits you deserve. Schedule a free case evaluation.
Common Work Injuries in South Carolina
Work injuries do not all look the same; some are sudden and catastrophic, while others worsen over time. Each one can disrupt your ability to earn a living.
Some of the most common work injuries in South Carolina include:
Back, Neck, and Spinal Injuries
South Carolina workers in industries like construction, nursing, and warehousing face a high risk of serious back, neck, and spinal injuries. A single fall from scaffolding, lifting a patient the wrong way, or an accident with heavy equipment can cause herniated discs, chronic back pain, or even spinal cord damage. These injuries often require surgery and months of rehabilitation, and may keep you out of work for an extended period.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
At South Carolina worksites, traumatic brain injuries often result from falls off ladders or scaffolding, being struck by falling tools or building materials, or suffering a blow to the head from heavy equipment. Beyond the ER visit, these injuries can bring lasting issues like memory loss, difficulty concentrating, or mood changes that affect daily life.
Repetitive Stress and Overexertion Injuries
From assembly line workers to office employees, repetitive motions can cause carpal tunnel, tendonitis, or overuse injuries. While they develop slowly, they can be just as disruptive and painful as accidents.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Workers face a high risk of fractures from slip and fall accidents on wet floors, trip hazards on construction sites, or crush injuries involving forklifts and other heavy equipment. Even once the bone heals, stiffness, weakness, or pain can limit the type of work you can return to after you’ve recovered.
Occupational Illnesses and Exposure Injuries
South Carolina workers in manufacturing, construction, or chemical plants may be exposed to harmful substances. Asbestos, dust, or chemical fumes can cause lung disease, cancers, or other serious illnesses. These cases are more complicated to prove, but often are as life-changing as serious accidents.
At Lee Injury Law, LLC, we stand with injured workers across South Carolina, handling cases of every type and severity. Our job is to guide you through the workers’ compensation system and fight for the medical care and wage benefits you deserve.
What To Do After a Work Injury in South Carolina
Your actions immediately after a workplace injury can affect how your claim is handled and how quickly you access your benefits. Be sure to:
Report Your Injury Promptly
In South Carolina, you must report a workplace injury to your employer within 90 days, but it’s best to do it immediately. Follow your employer’s reporting procedures, typically notifying your supervisor, manager, or human resources department, so there is an official record.
Get Medical Care Without Delay
Request an evaluation and treatment from an approved doctor. If your injury is serious and requires immediate attention, get emergency care first, then notify your employer about the accident as soon as you can.
Prompt treatment helps you recover and creates a clear medical record of what happened. Keep copies of your medical records and test results — these documents show what care you received and why it was necessary, which can be critical for securing your benefits.
File a Claim to Protect Your Rights
After a workplace accident in South Carolina, your employer will usually file a claim with the Workers’ Compensation Commission. However, the injured worker, or a dependent in the event of a fatal accident, must also file their own claim within two years of the accident or death to preserve the right to benefits. This requires submitting the appropriate form to the Commission: Form 50 for an injury claim or Form 52 for a death claim, both of which must be filed before the two-year deadline.
Benefits Available for South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Claims
Workers’ Compensation is meant to help you and your family through the challenges that follow a workplace injury. If your claim is approved, here are the benefits you can expect:
Medical Care and Rehabilitation
Medical benefits include all reasonable and necessary treatment for a work-related injury or illness, such as physician visits, hospital care, surgical procedures, diagnostic tests, imaging, prescribed medications, physical therapy, medical supplies, and prosthetic or orthotic devices.
Coverage may include travel costs to and from medical appointments when necessary. Your employer (or its insurer) generally has the right to select the treating physician.
Wage Replacement and Disability Benefits
If your injury temporarily prevents you from working, you may qualify for temporary total disability (TTD) benefits, which are weekly payments equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to the maximum allowed by South Carolina law. It is designed to replace part of your lost income while you recover.
Permanent Impairment and Long-Term Support
If your injury causes lasting damage and you’re unable to return to your previous job or work in the same capacity, South Carolina workers’ compensation provides additional benefits.
These are determined by an impairment rating assigned by an authorized doctor and fall into several categories: Permanent Partial Disability (PPD), which applies when you permanently lose the use of a body part; and Permanent Total Disability (PTD), which may apply if your injuries prevent you from working altogether.
The amount and duration of these payments are based on the impairment rating and calculated according to a schedule set by state law.
Vocational Rehabilitation
You may qualify for vocational rehabilitation services if you cannot return to your former line of work. These programs retrain you for a new job, develop new skills, or find employment that fits your current physical capabilities.
Challenges With South Carolina Work Injury Claims
Even if you do everything right after a workplace injury, getting the benefits you need can still be challenging. Delays, disputes, or other obstacles may arise that complicate your claim:
- Claim Denials and Delays. Insurers will probe every gap they can find: late reporting, sparse medical notes, or a missed form, and use that to slow or deny benefits.
- Employer or Insurance Disputes. You may face disagreements over the seriousness of your injury, the treatment you need, your level of disability, or whether you’re ready to return to work.
- Proving the Injury Is Work-Related. This is where many cases stumble. Repetitive injuries, illnesses from exposure to hazardous substances, and conditions that develop over time require clear evidence linking them to your job. A detailed medical timeline — showing when symptoms started, how they progressed, and how they relate to your work duties — is critical for a strong claim.
Why Hire a Lawyer for Your South Carolina Work Injury Case?
Navigating South Carolina workers’ compensation claims is often frustrating and confusing, especially when your income and medical care are on the line. Our skilled team can help you by:
Protecting Your Rights and Securing Your Benefits
Insurance companies know how to navigate the workers’ comp system — and so do we. We gather medical records, consult with your doctors, and present evidence that clearly shows how your injury affects your health, your ability to work, and your daily life.
We also challenge unfair denials, fight back against attempts to cut off care too soon, and ensure all deadlines are met so your claim stays on track. Our goal is simple: to make sure you receive every benefit South Carolina law provides, from medical treatment to wage replacement to long-term disability support if you need it.
Handling the Details So You Can Focus on Recovery
Workers’ comp claims involve paperwork and constant back-and-forth with insurance companies. We take on those burdens for you: filing forms, communicating with adjusters, and preparing for hearings if necessary. That way, you can focus on your health and recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Work Injuries in South Carolina
What if my claim is denied?
You have the right to appeal through the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission. Many cases are overturned once evidence and testimony are presented.
Can I choose my own doctor?
No. as noted, your employer or their insurer decides your treating doctor. Going to an unauthorized provider may mean your medical bills won’t be covered.
Do I get paid if I can only work part-time or light duty?
Yes. If your doctor clears you for light duty or part-time work that pays less than your regular job, you may be entitled to partial wage replacement benefits. In South Carolina, these are usually two-thirds of the difference between your old wage and your new, reduced wage.
Contact Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Today
If you have been hurt on the job, you are legally entitled to receive benefits that cover your treatment and replace lost income. Unfortunately, employers and insurers don’t always act in your best interest. Their goal is to limit costs. Trust our team of workers’ compensation attorneys. We know how to stand up to insurers and advocate for your rights. Schedule a free consultation today. We’re available 24/7. No fee unless we win.
