South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
It’s easy to underestimate the full impact of a serious injury until you sustain one firsthand. In addition to the physical pain, you might face the prospect of financial turmoil due to medical bills and time off work. If you suffered an injury while working or lost a family member in an on-the-job accident, our South Carolina workers’ compensation lawyers can review your case for free and help you plot the way forward.
There are a number of reasons why an employer or insurance company might dispute a workman's comp claim. For instance, they may try to argue that the injury did not happen while on the job, that it wasn't related to your work, that you did not provide notice, or that you are trying to claim compensation for a pre-existing condition. After handling thousands of workers’ compensation cases, our attorneys know the best ways to counter these disputes, and we can help you avoid mistakes that would increase the likelihood of facing a complication when you file the claim.
If you are unable to come to our office for the free consultation, we can come to you. Call (864) 585-3873 to speak with a member of our team.
What Should I Do While My Claim Is Pending?
Sometimes the outcome of a workers’ compensation claim can be the difference between maintaining financial security and having to file for bankruptcy. If your financial future is on the line, you’re likely willing to do anything you can to strengthen your case.
Our team can handle all the technical aspects of your claim so you don’t end up making any costly errors. In the meantime, you can take the following steps to put yourself in a more favorable position to recover benefits:
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Limit Online Activity: Your social media accounts help you stay connected with friends and family. However, while your case is pending, making posts on sites such as Facebook or Twitter could harm your case. For instance, publishing a photo of you spending time with friends might bring the seriousness of your injury into question, and a description of what happened might cause the opposing party to say that your injury was not work-related or did not happen on the job.
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Follow Your Healthcare Provider’s Instructions: As a claimant, you have a duty to take reasonable steps to mitigate damages. One such step is to follow your doctor’s orders. Deviating from the instructions of your medical provider could cause your injury to worsen or prolong your recovery. This could motivate the opposing party to assert that you are not entitled to full compensation.
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Let Your Lawyer Handle Correspondence with the Opposing Party: If the insurance company asks you for a recorded statement, you should politely decline and direct them to your South Carolina workers’ comp attorney. Otherwise, the claims adjuster may ask questions intended to elicit responses that could be used to dispute your claim.
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Start a Personal Injury Journal: Your ability to recollect details about the accident, your injuries, and medical recovery could help in your fight for fair compensation. However, with so much to keep track of, it may be impossible to remember every tiny detail. As such, you should note down this information in a dedicated personal injury journal, making sure to include details such as your pain levels, limitations, doctor’s visits, medication, and other elements that could assist your attorney in building your case.
What Expert Witnesses Might Play a Role in My Case?
Expert witnesses have specialized qualifications and experience in a particular field and may assist your attorney in proving elements of a workers’ comp claim. Your attorney may rely on various experts to help prove the circumstances surrounding the accident, causation, and the severity of your injuries.
Below are a few kinds of expert witnesses who commonly play a role in these cases:
- Economist,
- Vocational expert,
- Accident reconstruction expert, and
- Medical expert.
Discuss Your Case with a Workers’ Comp Lawyer in South Carolina
There are certain deadlines that must be met in order to recover workers’ compensation benefits. For example, you are required to notify your employer about the injury within 90 days. Even if you have already done so, it is important that your lawyer is able to investigate the accident while essential evidence is still available.
Our attorneys are ready to perform a prompt investigation and help you pursue the compensation you need to maintain your financial security. For a free case review, call us today at (864) 585-3873.