If you are having difficulty with making a worker’s compensation claim or have had a worker’s compensation claim denied, Carole Hayes with The Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC in Greenville, South Carolina is a worker’s compensation lawyer who may be able to assist you with your claim. Ms. Hayes is a qualified worker’s compensation attorney who can review your claim, review your work situation, and help you understand your rights. While worker’s compensation doesn’t cover all workers, it does cover most workers in most situations. Furthermore, if you are not covered under worker’s compensation for some reason, you may have the right to pursue damages through a lawsuit, so there may be a range of options available to you if you have been injured on the job. Ultimately, if you have been injured at work, you may have the right to seek damages for your medical costs, lost wages, and other losses. How does worker’s compensation work in Greenville, South Carolina?

Worker’s compensation is a special type of insurance that most employers are required to have if they have four or more employees. This insurance provides workers with medical care, reimbursement for lost wages, and other types of settlements following an injury on the job. If you have been injured on the job in South Carolina (or if you were injured off the job site, but while performing work duties), you may have the right to make a worker’s compensation claim. While there are some exceptions, if your employer is telling you that you don’t qualify for worker’s compensation benefits, you may want to speak to Carole Hayes with the Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC, a qualified and aggressive worker’s compensation lawyer in Greenville, South Carolina today.

Worker’s compensation gives employees who are injured on the job coverage for their medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. When workers are covered under worker’s compensation, they are generally barred from pursuing a lawsuit against their employer. Rather than having to prove in court that your employer created an unsafe work situation, worker’s compensation can cover your injuries. However, in order to receive compensation for a successful claim, you’ll need to take certain steps to protect your rights and to protect your access to worker’s compensation benefits. Waiting too long to make a claim or to appeal a denied claim can result in the loss of your benefits. Contact Carole Hayes with the Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC, a worker’s compensation lawyer in Greenville, South Carolina today to learn more about your options and rights under the law.

Worker’s Compensation in South Carolina: Step by Step

If you’ve been injured on the job, you may be entitled to make a worker’s compensation claim. How do you make a claim, what are your responsibilities, and what are your rights? Here are the steps you’ll want to take if you’ve been injured on the job:

1. Report the injury to your employer and seek medical attention. According to the South Carolina Worker’s Compensation Commission, you have only 90 days from the date you were injured to report your injury. However, you have up to two years to file a claim for worker’s compensation benefits. If your family has lost a loved one due to a workplace injury that resulted in your loved one’s death, your family has two years from the date of the accident to file a claim for funeral expenses, medical costs, and survival benefits.
2. Your employer can file a claim for you, but if your employer doesn’t file a claim or refuses to file a claim, you can file a claim for yourself using Form 50 or Form 52. If you are having difficulty filing a claim or if your employer is refusing to file a claim, Carole Hayes with the Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC, is an aggressive worker’s compensation lawyer in Greenville, South Carolina, may be able to help you.
3. What is covered under worker’s compensation? Your medical bills for any injuries or disabilities you might have suffered on the job should be covered. Worker’s compensation can cover any surgeries, hospitalization, medical supplies, prescriptions, or any prosthetic devices you may require. You may be required to see a doctor that is “in network” for your company’s worker’s compensation insurance provider, so it is wise to speak to your employer when seeking medical attention. If you have to travel to and from the hospital or doctor, worker’s compensation can also cover your travel expenses. Finally, if you have to miss days from work and lose wages as a result of your injury, you may also be entitled to seek reimbursement for a portion of your lost wages.
4. What if my claim is denied? If your claim is denied, you have the right to request a hearing and to submit an appeal. Carole Hayes with the Hayes Law Firm Upstate Attorneys, LLC is a Greenville, South Carolina worker’s compensation lawyer who may be able to assist you in appealing a denied claim or gathering evidence to support your claim during a hearing.

If you are facing difficulty with a worker’s compensation claim in Greenville, South Carolina, protect your rights. Sometimes individuals receive the wrong information from employers. If your claim has been denied or if you don’t believe the settlement you are receiving is sufficient to cover your losses, Carole Hayes with the Hayes Law Firm is a worker’s compensation lawyer who may be able to help you understand your rights and options under the law.