In South Carolina, a serious back injury can instantly upend your ability to earn a living. Beyond the pain and treatment, there’s the immediate question of how to pay the mortgage or the rent, keep food on the table, and get the care that makes recovery possible. South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system is designed to cover your medical bills and lost wages. However, the path from filing a claim to receiving benefits can be frustrating. Insurance companies may dispute the severity of your injury, delay treatment approval, or look for technical reasons to deny your claim.
If you are in that position, you are not alone. At Lee Injury Law, LLC, we understand how disruptive a serious back injury can be. We are here to explain your rights, help you navigate the workers’ comp system, and fight to get you the benefits you deserve. Based in Columbia, we serve injured workers across South Carolina. Our firm was built from the ground up to handle cases like yours.
Understanding Back Injuries in the Workplace
Back injuries are among the most common work-related injuries in South Carolina, and they are also some of the most debilitating. They account for a large share of workers’ compensation claims nationwide, and can occur in almost any setting, from heavy lifting on a construction site to repeated strain in manufacturing or long shifts in healthcare.
Some common causes of back injuries include:
- Lifting heavy objects or moving equipment. In industries like manufacturing, construction, and shipping through the Port of Charleston, workers often strain their backs handling heavy loads or awkward equipment.
- Slips, trips, and falls. Spilled liquids in restaurants, slick surfaces around loading docks, and loose flooring in workplaces are common hazards that can cause serious fall injuries.
- Vehicle or machinery accidents. From trucking and logging accidents to incidents with forklifts or other heavy equipment, workers in South Carolina face serious risks of back injuries caused by collisions, sudden jolts, or being struck by machinery.
- Poor ergonomics at a desk or workstation. Even office workers are at risk if their chairs, desks, or computer setups are not adjusted correctly, leading to chronic back strain.
- Repetitive bending or twisting motions. Jobs in agriculture, textiles, and warehouse work often require repeated movements that place continuous stress on the back and can lead to lasting damage over time.
Back injuries are not only among the most common workplace injuries in South Carolina but also some of the most difficult to recover from. Healing can take weeks, months, or even longer, depending on the severity of the injury and the demands of your job. Many require ongoing rehabilitation, physical therapy, or modified duties before returning to work.
Types of Work-Related Back Injuries
Some of the most common work-related back injuries include:
- Herniated or bulging discs. When the cushioning discs between vertebrae are damaged, they can press on nerves, causing severe pain, numbness, or weakness that makes working difficult.
- Fractured vertebrae. Falls, vehicle accidents, or heavy impacts can break bones in the spine, sometimes requiring surgery and extensive recovery time.
- Spinal cord injuries. Damage to the spinal cord can lead to partial or total paralysis and permanent disability, often changing the course of a worker’s life.
- Degenerative disc disease. Repetitive strain, heavy labor, or years of physical work can accelerate wear-and-tear, causing chronic pain and reduced flexibility.
- Sciatica and nerve compression. Pinched or compressed nerves can radiate pain from the lower back into the legs, making prolonged standing, sitting, or walking difficult.
- Chronic back pain. Even without a single traumatic event, ongoing stress and strain from work can lead to persistent pain that limits both work and daily activities.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Back Injuries
Workers’ compensation benefits typically include:
- Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation – Covers all reasonable and necessary care, such as doctor visits, tests, therapy, medications, surgeries, travel costs, and assistive devices.
- Wage Replacement for Temporary Disability – Provides weekly checks equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage (up to the state maximum) if your injury keeps you from working. These benefits continue during your recovery until you can return to work, reach maximum medical improvement, or reach the 500-week maximum allowed under South Carolina law.
- Permanent Disability Benefits – If your injury causes lasting limitations that prevent you from resuming your prior job, you may receive additional compensation based on an impairment rating. This can include permanent partial disability for specific losses or permanent total disability if you are unable to work at all.
Vocational rehabilitation may provide retraining and job placement assistance if your injury prevents you from returning to your former work.
These benefits are meant to support injured workers. Yet too often, claims are underpaid or delayed, highlighting the value of a strong, well-documented case with the guidance of a Columbia workers’ compensation lawyer.
Settlement Considerations for Back Injuries
If you’re left with permanent restrictions, receive an impairment rating, or if your benefits have been delayed or disputed, the case may be resolved through a lump-sum or structured settlement that covers what you’re owed and closes part or all of your claim.
How Your Settlement Is Determined
A workers’ compensation settlement is based on specific factors set by South Carolina law. These include your average weekly wage, how long you were out of work, and whether your doctor assigns you a permanent impairment rating. Medical needs such as surgery, physical therapy, or ongoing treatment may also be considered if they are part of your authorized care.
Choosing Between a Lump-Sum or Ongoing Benefits
You must also decide whether a lump-sum payment or structured, ongoing benefits work best for you. Choosing the right approach can impact your financial stability for years to come, and an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help you make the decision that best fits your circumstances.
Why You Need a Workers’ Comp Lawyer for Back Injuries
Back injury claims can be some of the most heavily disputed cases in the South Carolina workers’ compensation system. Employers and insurance carriers know these injuries are expensive to treat and often involve long recovery periods. That means they will look for ways to limit, delay, or deny your benefits.
Protecting Your Rights From Insurance Companies
Insurers often argue that back injuries are pre-existing, deny recommended treatments, or pressure workers to return before they are ready. When you work with us, we address those challenges head-on by collecting medical evidence, working with experts, and building the strongest possible case for your benefits.
Ensuring a Fair Settlement
Our workers’ comp attorneys in Columbia, SC, ensure your claim accounts for all authorized medical treatment, wage replacement, and any permanent limitations, so you receive the full benefits you are entitled to under the law.
We also ensure deadlines are met, challenge denials through the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission, and, when applicable, explore whether a third-party injury claim is available in addition to your workers’ comp benefits.
Contact Lee Injury Law If You Have Suffered a Work-Related Back Injury
If your back injury occurred in an on-the-job accident or developed over time due to workplace conditions, Lee Injury Law, LLC, can guide you through the workers’ compensation claims process. We know how quickly an injury can disrupt financial stability, and we’ve seen far too many people wrongfully denied the benefits they deserve. Don’t let this happen to you. We proudly serve injured workers in Columbia, the Midlands, and across South Carolina.
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced injured at work lawyer in Columbia. No fee unless we win.
