Hip and Leg Injuries
Seeking benefits after a work-related hip injury is very important. Your hip is crucial to your mobility, and if this area of the body has been injured you may have a hard time walking or moving easily. Even sitting at a desk job may not be possible due to the amount of pain involved.
Under the South Carolina workers’ compensation act, hip and leg injuries are treated separately. An injury to the hip, due to the difficulties associated with the same, has a higher “scheduled value” than an injury to the leg.
Securing Workers’ Comp For A Hip Replacement Or Hip Injury
A hip replacement is a serious surgical procedure in which a surgeon removes your hip joint and replaces it with a synthetic one. Done properly, this procedure can improve mobility and reduce pain following arthritis or serious injury. However, this type of surgery is invasive and usually requires weeks of healing time. In some cases, this procedure may also require rehabilitation and additional forms of treatment.
Even if you do not need a full hip replacement, a number of job-related injuries can cause you to miss work. Hip fractures caused by falls or crushing injuries at work can take months to heal, for example. If your job requires you to move around a great deal, you may suffer from bursitis — a painful inflammation of the parts of the body that cushion the joints. Tearing and dislocation can also happen with hip joints, all of which can impair mobility and your ability to do your job. Since hips are important when sitting, even light-duty desk work may not be a possibility for you as you recover.
Helping Individuals Injured In On The Job Accidents For Over 30 Years
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), over three million people were injured in nonfatal workplace accidents in 2013. In many instances, these injuries involved individuals’ legs, hips, or other lower extremities. When these injuries occur, workers are often unable to return to work. In addition to lost compensable time from work and wages, these injured workers often incur extensive medical costs.
Fortunately, South Carolina’s Worker’s Compensation law provides benefits to people who have suffered such injuries in the workplace. If you have suffered a hip or leg injury as a result of a workplace accident, you should discuss your entitlement to benefits with an experienced South Carolina workers compensation attorney as soon as possible.
Hip And Leg Injuries Can Occur As A Result Of A Variety Of Accidents And Product Defects
The following are only some examples of the ways in which individuals commonly suffer hip and leg injuries while on the job:
- Slip and falls
- Vehicle accidents
- Explosions
- Defective footwear
- Defective work tools
- Falls from heights
- Defective safety equipment
- Slippery floors
- Liquid spills
- Improper facility maintenance
No matter what type of accident occurred, victims of work-related hip and leg injuries deserve to receive adequate benefits to cover their medical expenses and are entitled to lost income. Filing a workers’ compensation for a broken leg or hip claim can be a complex and confusing process. It is always imperative to have the guidance of a skilled workers’ compensation attorney throughout the process.
Contact An Experienced Charleston Workers’ Compensation Lawyer For A Free Consultation
f you have suffered a hip or leg injury while on the job and need compensation, contact the Law Office of Walter Hundley. Walter Hundley has served as a workers’ compensation lawyer in South Carolina for more than 25 years. Contact us today for a free consultation by visiting us online and filling out our contact form.