Myrtle Beach Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

In Your Corner When You’ve Been Hurt at Work

Have you suffered a work-related injury, or were you injured at work in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina? You may be entitled to compensation through the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Act.

At Lanier Law Group, our experienced attorneys understand the rights of injured workers and the nuances of the state’s workers’ comp laws and regulations. We are here to help you get the benefits and compensation that you deserve, so you can get back on your feet and back to your career. We can provide comprehensive legal representation throughout the entire claims process, from filing documents to attending court hearings.

On This Page:

• Common Workplace Injuries
• Who is Eligible for Workers’ Compensation?
• Workers’ Compensation Benefits
• How to File for Workers’ Compensation
• Common Workers’ Compensation Issues
• Workers’ Compensation Denials & Appeals
• Learn How to Start a Workers’ Comp Claim Today

Contact us today to learn more about your rights in a South Carolina workers' compensation claim.

Common Workplace Injuries

Workplace injuries or illnesses that are often reported in workers’ comp claims include the following and more:

• Slips, trips, and falls
• Overexertion from heavy lifting
• Contact with hazardous chemicals or materials
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Occupational diseases such as hearing loss, asbestosis, and carpal tunnel syndrome
• Injuries caused by fires or explosions
• Musculoskeletal disorders associated with prolonged sitting or standing

Who is Eligible for Workers’ Compensation in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, most employers with four or more workers must carry workers’ compensation for those workers.

Exceptions to this rule include:

• Agricultural employees
• Railroad employers
• Unpaid volunteers
• Workers with “very low” annual income
• Business partners
• Most independent contractors

If you are covered by workers’ compensation, then you should be able to use its benefits if you are hurt “in the scope of your employment” and due to an accident. Even if you caused the accident that hurt you, eligibility for workers’ comp benefits is not removed. You can also get benefits if you become sick due to a work-related illness that occurred due to the requirements of your job. However, you could lose your right to file for workers’ compensation if it can be proven that the injury did not happen while you were working, did not happen in a way related to your work, or happened because you were intentionally and needlessly endangering yourself.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits in South Carolina

Workers’ compensation is designed to help you get healthy and get back to work after a workplace accident without draining your finances. It does so by providing guaranteed benefits without the need for a lawsuit or other complicated legal actions. At least, legal contests should be avoidable when a workers’ comp case progresses as expected. Let our Myrtle Beach workers’ compensation attorneys help by filing your claim, so you can be sure it is made correctly, which will give it a higher chance of being accepted without issue.

If your workers’ comp claim is successful, then it could provide these benefits:

• Medical expenses coverage for necessary medical treatment.
• Death benefits for the dependents of a worker who passes away due to a work-related incident.
• Lost wages due to time off for needed medical treatment or recovery.
• Vocational retraining and job placement assistance if an injured worker is unable to return to their job after their injury.
• Payment for permanent disability and death resulting from a work-related incident.

How to File for Workers’ Compensation

In general, the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim in Myrtle Beach will include these steps:

1. Report your injury or illness to your employer as soon as possible after it occurs.
2. Your employer will provide you with the forms necessary to file a workers' compensation claim.
3. Complete the forms and submit them to the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission (SCWCC) within 90 days of reporting your injury.
4. The SCWCC will review your claim and may require further documentation or an interview with a representative of their office.
5. If approved, payments on your claim should begin soon after approval.

You will also need to seek medical attention from an approved medical provider. Follow the doctor’s orders exactly. Deviating from the medical instructions can jeopardize your claim.

The steps to file for workers’ compensation could vary based on the specifics of your case, though. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you talk to a workers’ comp attorney from our firm shortly after a workplace accident. We can review the details of your injuries, the circumstances that caused them, and your workers’ compensation insurance coverage to make sure that the right steps are taken when pursuing the benefits you deserve. If the claim is contested or denied, then we can prepare to represent you in and out of court to pursue a settlement instead.

Common Workers’ Compensation Issues

After filing a workers' compensation claim in South Carolina, many common issues can arise. For example, employers may attempt to deny the claim or delay making payments, which can leave injured workers unable to receive the medical care and wages they need. The employer may also require medical tests or other documentation as part of the process, which can be costly for employees and further delay payment. If an employer does not comply with their obligations under workers' compensation laws, an employee may be entitled to additional benefits or damages, though.

Common issues that can arise after filing a workers' compensation claim include:

• Claims being denied or delayed by employers.
• Requirement of additional documentation or medical testing to approve a claim.
• Employers not complying with their obligations under workers' compensation laws.
• Claims filed outside of allowed time limits.

Workers’ Compensation Denials & Appeals

If your workers' compensation claim is denied in South Carolina, you have the right to appeal the decision. You must file an appeal with the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission soon after the claim is denied. In most cases, you will only have 14 days from the date of notice of denial to start an appeal, so you must move quickly. In others, you could have more time, but it is safer to assume that you don’t.

In the appeal, you must provide evidence to support your claim and all relevant documentation. Also, the appeal must be based on a technical error or legal problem, rather than just being unhappy with how the case concluded. To get your appeal filed on time and correctly, you’ll want to work with Lanier Law Group.

Learn How to Start a Workers’ Comp Claim Today

If you have been injured at work, our Myrtle Beach workers’ compensation lawyers can provide knowledgeable guidance throughout the entire workers’ comp process. We understand how the system works and can fight passionately for your rights to benefits if they are challenged. We proudly represent injured workers from all industries.

Dial (855) 757-4204 today to see how we can help secure the compensation you deserve.