On-the-Job Injuries
South Carolina Workplace Injury Lawyers
The South Carolina work injury attorneys at Lofton & Lofton have been trusted advocates for injured employees. Based in Charleston since 1984, our seasoned legal team is dedicated to protecting the rights of workers who suffer from job-related injuries or disease. Whether the accident requires filing a workers’ compensation or personal injury claim, Lofton & Lofton can help you seek relief for your harm.
General On-the-Job Injuries
More Americans are likely to be injured on the job or traveling to and from work than at any other time. Whether you do your job in a factory, on a construction site, or in an office, contracting a job-related illness or disease is a reality for many. Accidents leading to injuries may involve:
- Ladder falls
- Power tools
- Car accidents
- Falling objects
- Slippery surfaces
- Heavy equipment
- Collapsed scaffolding
- Machine operation
- Exposure to toxins
- Electric malfunction
- Repetitive stress injury
- Lack of protective gear
- Fire hazard, burn injuries
While occupational hazards abound, federal and state laws do not sufficiently emphasize the importance of reporting the accident. Many workers persevere through chronic pain in an effort to support their families and keep their jobs. Others are not aware of the full extent of their legal rights.
Compensation for On-the-Job Injuries
Workers’ compensation is an insurance system paid for by employers and their insurers. The Workers’ Compensation Act provides cash payment, medical treatment, and other benefits to employees who suffer a work-related injury or death on the job. Awards may include coverage for:
- Lost income during disability
- Damages for permanent disability
- Maximum of 500 weeks’ compensation
- Lost wages from different or multiple jobs
- Loss of sense or impairment of vision, balance
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement of face, neck
- Partial disability or disfigurement based on severity
- Lost use of body part (total and permanent disability)
- Death of employee from occupational disease or accidental injury
- 66 2/3% of average weekly wage if unable to work more than 7 days
- Compensation from date of accident if worker disability exceeds 14 days
Employees injured on the job must report the accident to a supervisor or employer within 90 days, preferably in writing. Failure to file a claim with the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission within 2 years of the injury may bar the employee’s right to relief. Keeping track of the deadlines for dealing with employers, insurers, and treating physicians can seem like a full-time job. An experienced work injury attorney can guide you through this process and help you pursue the compensation you need in a timely manner.
Personal Injury Relief
South Carolina workers’ compensation laws were enacted to relieve employers of personal injury liability for work-related accidents. The laws required employers and their insurers to cover the cost of occupational disabilities, regardless of fault. While insurers have to pay workers’ compensation, they may still deny liability for the accident. Many employers also operate uninsured, giving injured workers no other choice but to file a personal injury claim. In cases involving various at-fault or uninsured parties, a workers’ compensation claim may not be possible. An experienced attorney can advise you of which legal option best suits your needs. Damages available in a personal injury lawsuit can include coverage for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Recover Compensation for Job-Related Accidents
If you were injured or became ill on the job, the South Carolina personal injury lawyers at Lofton & Lofton can help. For over 25 years, we have successfully represented injured employees in complex workers’ compensation and personal injury cases involving work-related accidents. When multiple parties deny being insured or liability for injury, we know how to proceed. Let us help you pursue the recovery you deserve through a workers’ compensation or negligence claim. Call (843) 722-6319 for a free consultation or contact us online today.
