Florence Workers Compensation Lawyer

Florence Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Large employers like McLeod Health, QVC, and GE HealthCare anchor the local economy in Florence. When an employee is hurt on the job, they may be eligible for important benefits under their employer’s workers’ comp policy. A Florence workers compensation lawyer can make sure your injury is taken seriously and obtain for you the payments you are owed.

A Trusted Workers’ Compensation Law Firm Serving Florence

When injured workers in Florence need dedicated legal help with their workers’ compensation claims, they turn to Deas Law Firm. With more than 24 years of experience, our legal team has what it takes to secure the full range of benefits that you are eligible for under workers’ compensation.

We recognize the tactics workers’ compensation carriers often use to delay or minimize payouts. If needed, we can appeal an unjust denial or negotiate more favorable settlements with the workers’ compensation carrier. When you work with our legal team, you gain a team that can get you all the benefits you deserve.

Understanding Workplace Accidents in Florence

Workplace accidents can happen in nearly any field, from healthcare and manufacturing to retail and office environments. In Florence neighborhoods such as Tara Village, Woodland Park, and Windsor Forest, employees keep the local economy moving while also facing risks of injury that can disrupt their lives and careers.

Work-related injuries may come from:

• Falls
• Repetitive stress
• Machinery in industrial settings
• Hazardous substances or chemicals
• Too much lifting or exertion
• Vehicle crashes while on the job

In 2023, South Carolina’s private-sector employers noted approximately 30,100 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses, equating to a recordable case incidence rate of 1.9 per 100 full-time workers. Of those, 19,000 cases involved serious outcomes such as missed workdays, restricted duty, or job transfers. Based on U.S. Census data, Florence employed about 86,000 people in 2023 across all industries.

Benefits You May Be Owed

Workers’ compensation primarily covers medical expenses and lost wages tied to a work-related injury. If you incurred out-of-pocket medical expenses, you may be reimbursed for those as well. While workers’ comp doesn’t completely replace lost wages, it does cover two-thirds of your typical weekly pay, which can significantly reduce the financial burden you are facing as you recover.

In cases where a serious injury leads to permanent partial or permanent total disability, the system allows for long-term payments based on the severity of the injury and other factors. A serious injury could require a worker to be retrained. In those cases, compensation may also pay for vocational rehabilitation.

Why You Should Hire a Workers Compensation Lawyer

If you recently suffered a work-related injury in Florence, your first step should be to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer. Specifically, you need an attorney who understands the state’s workers’ compensation laws and has handled many workers’ compensation cases before. They can greatly reduce the risk that your claim is delayed or denied.

It is an unfortunate reality that workers’ compensation carriers often put profits over helping people. If your claim is denied, your Florence workers’ compensation attorney can review the initial filing. They can find potential areas that were unclear or not carefully backed up with evidence. Then, your attorney can represent you through the appeals process to assert your rights and make sure your injury is taken seriously.

Whatever stage of the application process you are in, it’s not too late to secure the representation you need to obtain the financial resources you require. That way, you can receive high-quality medical treatments without the stress of wondering how you will afford those treatments and time away from work.

FAQs About Florence, SC Workers Compensation Laws

How Is Pain and Suffering Calculated in SC?

Pain and suffering is not included in South Carolina workers’ compensation benefits. This type of non-economic damages is more commonly found in personal injury claims that go through court. Workers’ compensation benefits focus on measurable losses for medical treatment, lost wages, and permanent disability. Employees cannot get compensation specifically for emotional distress or discomfort caused by the injury.

What Happens If I Get Fired While on Workers’ Comp in SC?

An employer cannot legally terminate an employee for filing a workers’ compensation claim in South Carolina. Doing so constitutes retaliation. However, they may fire someone for unrelated reasons, such as company downsizing or budgetary concerns. If you lose your job while on benefits, consult an attorney to understand your rights and determine whether your termination violated state employment laws.

Does Workers’ Comp Pay Back Pay in South Carolina?

Workers’ compensation in South Carolina provides retroactive benefits for missed workdays once your eligibility is established. Payments generally begin after seven days of disability. However, if the injury keeps you out more than fourteen days, the first week is paid retroactively. This approach makes sure workers are not left without income during extended recovery periods. Gaining access to these and other benefits requires accurate medical documentation.

Can My Employer Refuse to Let Me Return to Work After an Injury?

An employer may decline to reinstate an employee if the original position is no longer available or if they cannot accommodate your medical restrictions. However, refusing your return based solely on filing a claim is unlawful. Workers should provide medical records and communicate their restrictions clearly. In some cases, an employer can find new work conditions or adjust the injured worker’s job description to accommodate their medical restrictions.

Contact Deas Law Firm Today

The workers’ compensation claims process can be surprisingly complex and potentially full of setbacks if you do not have strong legal representation. Partnering with a workers’ comp lawyer can greatly improve your chances of securing the benefits you are owed.

For more than 20 years, Deas Law Firm has stood beside injured workers in Florence and the surrounding communities, making sure employers and insurers honor their responsibilities. We know the strategies carriers use to delay or deny valid benefits, and we can aggressively fight against those tactics. Contact our office today to discuss your claim and secure the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.

Contact Deas Law Firm Today

At Deas Law Firm, we work tirelessly for you to make sure you are fairly compensated on your personal injury case. From slip and fall cases or even catastrophic injury cases, Deas Law Firm is ready to fight for you and your rights. Call us today or fill out the online form to discuss your personal injury case.