Frequently Asked Workers Compensation Questions

Have you been injured on the job in Spartanburg County, South Carolina? Do you wonder what benefits you may be eligible for? Do you have concerns over how you will pay for your medical bills since they are piling up and you cannot work? The truth is an on the job injury always raises a plethora of concerns and questions, which is why you should seek legal advice from an experienced workers’ comp attorney.

Dial (864) 207-4764 to speak with Workers Compensation Lawyer Ryan Montgomery who serves the Spartanburg, Anderson and Greenville areas. He will address all of your concerns and answer any questions you have regarding your claim. Let him use his decade of experience handling workers’ comp claims to get you the benefits you deserve under South Carolina workers’ compensation law.

As a Spartanburg County workers compensation lawyer, there are many questions that injured workers have once they have an on-the-job injury or workplace injury. Below is a summary of some of those frequently asked South Carolina workers’ compensation questions:

How Do I Report A Workers’ Comp Claim?

If you have suffered a South Carolina workers’ compensation injury then you should immediately go to your supervisor or employer and report your injury. Be specific about when, where and how. If possible ask for a written report. You must report an on-the-job injury within 90 days or you could lose your benefits. Repetitive injuries are unique and you should pay special attention to this South Carolina workers’ compensation repetitive injury law.

Can I Choose My Own Doctor?

Yes. In South Carolina workers’ compensation, the employer/carrier has the right to direct medical treatment and pick the doctors. You must follow medical treatment recommendations or your benefits could stop. Most of the time you can have a second opinion but again, it will be with the doctor the carrier chooses. There are times when the employee can obtain their own opinion from a medical doctor.

Your Rights Under S. C. Workers Compensation Law

According to the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission, there were 62,213 workplace injuries reported in fiscal year 2012-2013, the most recent time for which data is available. The staggering number of workplace injuries shows that on-the-job injuries can affect people across all professions. As such, it is important for all South Carolina workers to understand their legal rights after they have sustained an injury in the workplace.

Medical treatment

South Carolina’s Workers’ Compensation Act ensures that employees who are injured or die because of an “accident arising out of and in the course of his or her employment” will receive certain benefits without having to prove that the employer was at fault for the accident. One of the primary benefits to which injured employees are entitled is compensation for medical care to treat all injuries resulting from the accident, including doctor visits, hospital stays, medication, surgery, prosthetic devices and other similar expenses.

Employees should be aware that their employers have the right to determine which doctors treat injured employees; if employees choose to see their own doctors, employers may not be liable for paying their medical bills.

Disability benefits

Employees who are injured and cannot return to work may also qualify for disability payments. Those who miss more than seven days of work may qualify for total disability benefits equal to two-thirds of their average weekly wages. If an employee is out of work for more than 14 days, the compensation begins with the date of the injury, rather than the seven-day waiting period.

Those who are permanently disabled or disfigured also qualify for compensation, the amount of which is determined by state statutes and Workers’ Compensation Commission regulations. Total disability and death benefits are limited to 500 weeks of compensation, and the amount is determined by the worker’s average weekly wage.

Appealing denials

In many cases, employers and insurers will try to deny an injured employee’s claim for compensation. In such cases, the employee has the right to appeal the denial by filing a Form 50, triggering a review of the case by the Workers’ Compensation Commission. A Commissioner will review the case and act as finder of fact and rule on matters of law, determining whether the employee is eligible for benefits. Once the Commissioner has issued an opinion, either party can appeal the decision to the full Commission for a review.

Filing workers’ compensation claims can be complicated. There are many rules that govern the process, and it is easy for people to make mistakes when trying to seek the benefits they need to help them recover. If you have been injured in a workplace accident, speak with a seasoned workers’ compensation attorney who can help ensure that you receive all of the benefits to which you are entitled by law.

South Carolina Worker’ Comp Question Not Answered?

If you have a South Carolina workers’ compensation question not answered on this page, email Spartanburg County workers compensation lawyer Ryan Montgomery for a quick response to your question, issue or claim. Don’t delay. Protect your health, future and family. Call (864) 207-4764 for a free consultation.