South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
In South Carolina, the Workers’ Compensation laws provide for compensation in the event of a work related injury. Although a work related injury can happen in a split second, a work related injury may also occur a period of time. The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Laws provide coverage for a repetitive work injury.
A repetitive injury is usually caused by accumulated physical damage and may occur from daily wear and tear at the workplace that results in physical trauma over time. If you need to seek medical attention for any of the following injuries, your medical bills and any lost wages you may be entitled to South Carolina Workers’ Compensation benefits. Common repetitive injuries include:
• Back injuries,
• Knee injuries,
• Neck injuries,
• Shoulder injuries,
• Carpal tunnel syndrome,
• Tennis and golf elbow,
• Ganglion cyst, and
• Hearing problems
If you have suffered a repetitive injury on the job, the Workers’ Comp lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC can help.
How to Proceed After a Work Injury
If you have been hurt on the job, you should Report the Injury as soon as possible, but no later than 90 days after the accident.
Seek Medical Attention and Follow the Doctor’s Recommended Advice:
Your employer should direct you to a physician who will evaluate the extent of your injuries. If your employer does not schedule an appointment for medical treatment, you should immediately obtain medical treatment and an evaluation of your condition from a medical doctor so that you can document the extent and severity of your work related injury.
Be a Responsible Patient:
Follow all of your doctor’s treatment advice. If you do not understand a treatment protocol, just ask. Be honest about the nature and extent of your injury with your doctor. (Fraudulent claims are taken very seriously and a false statement may result in criminal prosecution.)
Protect Yourself And Your Workers’ Compensation Claim:
Do not feel compelled to volunteer information that does not have anything to do with your injury. For example, if you are dealing with lower back pain from a fall that occurred last week, there is no reason to tell your doctor that you had lower back pain for a two week period ten years ago when you have not experienced continuing back pain since the accident.
Get a Second Opinion When Necessary:
Although you must be completely honest, remember that your employer likely has an ongoing relationship with the physician that they are sending you to. Given this relationship, and depending upon the severity and extent of your injuries, it often makes sense to attempt to obtain a second opinion or independent medical opinion.
Maintain Records:
Track important dates related to your injury, such as injury occurrence, date of report, and conversations regarding your injury. Keep all receipts for medical treatment, medications, any travel related expenses including miles driven to see your doctor and any other costs related to your injury so that you will be fully reimbursed if your comp claim is approved by the insurance carrier.
NEXT STEPS: File a Worker’s Comp Claim
By: Pete Strom, South Carolina Workers Comp Attorney
