Charleston Workers Compensation Lawyer

What Benefits Are Available Through Workers’ Compensation?

South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system provides several types of benefits to injured employees. These benefits are designed to help workers recover physically, financially, and professionally after a job-related injury. They cover medical treatment, lost wages, and disability, ensuring that injured employees do not have to bear the financial burden alone.

Medical Benefits

Workers’ compensation should cover all necessary medical treatment related to your injury. This includes doctor visits, surgeries, hospital stays, prescription medications, physical therapy, and medical equipment such as wheelchairs or prosthetics. However, your employer’s insurance company may require you to see an approved provider. If you need specialized treatment or a second opinion, you may need approval from the insurance company, making it important to understand your rights under South Carolina’s workers’ compensation laws.

Temporary Disability Benefits

If your injury prevents you from working while you recover, you may receive temporary disability benefits. These payments typically amount to two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to the state’s maximum limit. Temporary disability benefits may continue until you are medically cleared to return to work or until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), which means further treatment is unlikely to improve your condition.

Permanent Disability Benefits

If your injury results in a permanent impairment — such as loss of function in a limb, a disabling back injury, or a loss of vision — you may be entitled to additional compensation. The amount is based on the severity of your disability and how it impacts your ability to work. South Carolina uses a disability rating system to determine the level of benefits available for permanent injuries, and in some cases, workers may qualify for lifetime benefits if they are unable to return to any form of employment.

Vocational Rehabilitation

If your injury prevents you from returning to your previous job, workers’ compensation may provide vocational training or assistance in finding new employment. This can include job placement services, retraining programs, and education assistance to help injured workers transition into new careers suited to their physical limitations. The goal of vocational rehabilitation is to ensure that workers can maintain financial stability despite their injuries.

Death Benefits

If a workplace accident results in a fatality, the worker’s surviving family members may be entitled to death benefits. These typically include financial support for funeral expenses and lost income. Dependents, such as spouses and children, may receive ongoing benefits to help replace the financial support that the deceased worker would have provided. South Carolina law specifies the amount and duration of these payments based on the deceased worker’s earnings and the number of eligible dependents.

What to Do If Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied

Many workers’ compensation claims are denied for a variety of reasons, leaving injured employees feeling frustrated and uncertain about their next steps. However, a denial is not the end of the road — you have the right to challenge the decision and fight for the benefits you deserve. Understanding why your claim was denied and taking the appropriate legal action can make all the difference in securing compensation.

Understand the Reason for Denial

Workers’ compensation claims can be denied for several reasons. One of the most common reasons is that the employer disputes whether the injury was work-related. If there were no witnesses or if the employer believes the injury occurred outside of work, they may refuse to accept liability. Timing is another frequent issue — insurance companies may deny claims if they believe the worker did not report the injury within the required timeframe. Delays in reporting can make it harder to prove that the injury happened on the job.

In some cases, the employer or insurer may argue that the injury was pre-existing or not severe enough to qualify for benefits. If medical records indicate that the worker had a prior condition, the insurance company may attempt to use this as a reason to deny coverage. Additionally, if there is insufficient medical evidence to support the claim, the insurer may argue that the injury does not require treatment or time off work. Regardless of the reason for denial, workers have the right to present additional evidence and appeal the decision.

File an Appeal

If your claim is denied, you can request a hearing with the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission. The appeals process requires submitting legal documents, gathering medical evidence, and presenting a strong case before a commissioner. This can involve obtaining additional medical evaluations, securing witness testimony, and demonstrating how the injury has affected your ability to work.

Insurance companies often try to challenge workers’ claims by arguing that they can return to work sooner than expected or that their medical treatment is unnecessary. Successfully appealing a denial requires thorough preparation and a clear legal strategy.

Get Legal Help

Appealing a denied workers’ compensation claim can be a complicated legal battle. Insurance companies have teams of attorneys whose goal is to minimize payouts and protect their bottom line. Without proper legal representation, injured workers may struggle to navigate the appeals process and prove their entitlement to benefits.

An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can gather the necessary evidence, handle negotiations with the insurance company, and advocate for your rights in court if needed. Having legal representation significantly improves your chances of a successful appeal, helping you recover the benefits you need for medical treatment and lost wages. If your claim has been denied, taking immediate action and consulting with a lawyer can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.

Why Choose Lanier Law Group?

At Lanier Law Group, we understand the challenges injured workers face when seeking benefits. Insurance companies often look for ways to deny claims, minimize payouts, or delay compensation. Our firm is committed to fighting for injured workers in Charleston and throughout South Carolina. We take on powerful insurance companies and employers, ensuring that our clients receive the full benefits to which they are entitled under the law.

Aggressive Representation

Employers and insurers do not always play fair. They may dispute the severity of your injury, claim it was not work-related, or pressure you into returning to work too soon. We push back against these tactics, building strong cases backed by medical evidence, expert testimony, and thorough legal arguments. If necessary, we are prepared to take your case to a hearing before the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission to fight for the benefits you deserve.

Client-Focused Advocacy

Every client deserves personalized attention. We know that a workplace injury can create financial strain and uncertainty, which is why we take the time to understand your unique situation. Our team is always available to answer your questions, provide updates on your case, and guide you through the legal process with care and professionalism.

No Fees Unless We Win

We handle workers’ compensation cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we recover benefits for you. This allows injured workers to seek legal representation without worrying about additional financial burdens. At Lanier Law Group, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of injured workers and helping them secure the compensation they need to recover and move forward.

Injured at Work in Charleston? Take the First Step Toward Justice

If you have been injured on the job in Charleston, you should not have to fight for workers’ compensation benefits alone. The fighters at Lanier Law Group are ready to go toe-to-toe with employers and insurance companies that try to deny injured workers the support they deserve.

Want to learn more or have questions about your case? Call 919-342-1368 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on healing and getting back on your feet.