Approximately 72 work-related deaths occurred in South Carolina in 2013.  In fact, more than 65,000 work-related accident cases were filed with the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission during fiscal year 2013-14. Generally speaking, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system of benefits paid to employees who are injured while conducting work-related duties. These workers’ compensation benefits are paid to the employee by the employer. Certain requirements must be met in order to qualify for worker’s compensation under the South Carolina law. If you or someone you know has experienced a work-related injury, below are specific things you should do right away.

Report the Incident

Should you experience an injury occurs at work, you should immediately report what happened to a supervisor. South Carolina law requires that an injured employee notify his or her employer of the occurrence within 90 days of the injury in order to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. If this deadline is missed, an injured employee must show a reasonable excuse – satisfactory to the Commission. In addition, the employee must establish that employer is not prejudiced because of the delay.

Get Medical Treatment Immediately

If you or someone you know has been injured on the job, the first thing to do is seek immediate medical attention. The priority in such instances is recuperating and focusing on well-being. Finding a medical professional with a good reputation in the field can not only help with recovery but also can assist with expert testimony regarding the injuries. Essential information a medical expert can provide during a workers’ compensation claims process includes how and why the claimant was injured, the severity of the injuries, and the most appropriate treatment. Just as important in a workers’ compensation case is the individual’s compliance with the doctor’s orders. Following his or her directions will not only make the recovery easier, but will also diminish the likelihood of the insurance company denying the payment of workers’ compensation benefits because of contradictory behavior.

Track Everything

The devil is in the details, and many successful workers’ compensation claims are won on minute specifics of the case. For this reason, keeping a copy of everything is vital. This includes the written notice given to the employer when the incident occurred. Beyond this, keeping a comprehensive log of the specifics of the accident including all medical visits and records, witness contact information and any other pertinent information that may be useful evidence during the claims process should help your workers’ compensation case.

Keep Open Lines of Communication

An Anderson workers’ compensation attorney must be aware of all details – whether good or bad for your case – regarding your possible claim. In fact, the more information that can be provided on the onset of representation, the better the attorney can advocate on your behalf. The South Carolina Department of Insurance regulates the weekly benefit rates for those who qualify; the types of benefits paid to a person eligible for workers’ compensation benefits may include temporary total disability, permanent partial disability, as well as medical expenses. Furthermore, there are statutes of limitation that govern a workers’ compensation claim. In other words, if you wait too long to file your claim it can be barred simply due to the passage of time.

Contact an Anderson Workers’ Compensation Attorney

You should hire an Anderson workers’ compensation attorney who is not only well respected, but also knowledgeable in the law and dutiful to your case. If you or someone you know has been injured at work, contact an experienced Anderson workers’ compensation attorney today who can discuss your case. The legal professionals at The Law Offices of Steven M Krause PA can inform you of your legal rights under the law, including whether or not you are eligible for workers’ compensation. Contact (864) 225-4000 today.

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Steven M. Krause

Steven Krause is a personal injury, auto accident, and workers’ compensation lawyer who practices in Anderson, SC. He graduated form the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law and has been practicing law for 40 years now. Steven Krause believes in fighting for the injured. Learn more about his experience here.