Workplace accidents injure millions of people each year, sometimes seriously. Fortunately for injured workers in South Carolina, the state’s Workers’ Compensation Program provides benefits for people who are hurt on the job regardless of fault. In order to obtain benefits, an injured employee must report the incident to his or her employer and request medical treatment. In some cases, an employer may contest a valid workers’ compensation claim and withhold benefits. When this happens, injured employees are entitled to have their case reviewed by the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission.1 These proceedings can be complicated, so it is advisable for anyone who is having problems getting workers’ compensation benefits to retain an attorney as soon as possible.
There are several things that people who have been denied benefits can do to maximize their chances a successful appeal.2 Some of these are detailed below. For advice regarding your specific situation, call an attorney today.
Keep detailed notes of the way in which your accident has affected you
In some cases, a claim is denied because an employer or a particular physician does not believe that an accident has resulted in an injury requiring treatment or that the injury was not of sufficient severity to prevent a person from working. By keeping detailed notes of the way in which your injury has affected your day-to-day life, you can have an easier time establishing the fact that you are entitled to benefits.
Keep records of any communication you have with your employer or the workers’ compensation insurance company with whom you are dealing
It is extremely important for injured workers to preserve any written communication that they may have with their employer or his or her employer’s insurance company regarding a worker’s compensation claim. In addition, people who are hurt on the job should also make notes about any informal communication they may have, including the date and content of phone calls or face-to-face conversation that may occur.
Contact a lawyer familiar with South Carolina workers’ compensation
People who are denied worker’s compensation benefits have certain legal rights and are entitled to appeal an adverse decision. The proceedings that review a worker’s compensation denial in South Carolina can involve the production of testimony and other evidence, so it is important to hire a lawyer that is familiar with representing people who are hurt on the job.
Contact a South Carolina workers’ compensation attorney today to schedule a free case evaluation
Individuals who have had a workers’ compensation claim denied should contact an attorney as soon as possible. Often, an experienced lawyer can help people obtain the benefits they deserve fairly quickly. To schedule a free initial consultation with South Carolina workers’ compensation lawyer Walter Hundley, call our office today at 843-723-1995 or 866-723-1995 or send us an email through our online contact form.
References:
1 https://www.wcc.sc.gov/Pages/default.aspx
2 https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/appeal
