At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, our Greer workers’ compensation lawyer can help employees hurt on the job in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. If your employer has more than four employees, you likely qualify for benefits under the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation code of laws. If your employer disputes your claim or you receive a denial, we can assist with filing an appeal.
We provide complimentary consultations for those who suffered injuries or are recovering from a work-related illness. We’ll assess your case and could help you appeal a denial. We are a contingency fee law firm.
What Compensation Is Available for Injured Workers in Greer, SC?
The attorneys at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, seek compensation for injured employees, helping them make ends meet until they can return to work or receive other benefits. South Carolina provides these workers’ compensation benefits.
Medical Coverage
You should not receive a bill for treatment of your work-related injuries as long as you see the doctor named by your employer. Workers’ comp should cover these costs 100 percent.
Lost Wages
Wage loss benefits come in several forms but may pay up to two-thirds of your regular income, up to the mandated maximum set by state guidelines. If you can return to work at partial capacity, these benefits will make up the difference between your current earnings and two-thirds of your previous pay.
Disability or Disfigurement
You might receive an additional payout if you suffered lasting injuries, such as a physical or mental impairment, disfigurement, or scarring. The amount depends on the injury, its severity, and its effect on your everyday life.
You may also qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. Our team can assess your eligibility and help you file a claim.
Vocational Training
Vocational training might cover your costs if:
- You cannot manage your previous tasks without additional training
- You must learn new skills to return to the workforce
Death Benefits
When a worker dies from their injury or illness, death benefits might be available to their surviving family members.
Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, Represents Injured Workers
The lawyers at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, do not believe injured workers should have to worry about paying their bills and covering the cost of their medical care after an on-the-job injury. This belief is why we represent them, filing their claims and appeals after a dispute or denial.
When you work with our team, you can expect to receive these services:
- Protecting your rights and fighting for your best interests
- Completing and submitting all required paperwork
- Meeting all deadlines
- Investigating your accident and injuries to gather support for your claim
- Obtaining relevant medical records, incident reports, and witness statements
- Getting photos and video of the accident if possible
- Representing you at your appeal hearing
- Never asking you to pay us upfront
We handle all South Carolina workers’ compensation cases from our Spartanburg location. Attorney Gabrielle R. Valentine is generally the lawyer who will manage your workers’ compensation case. As a contingency fee firm, we provide complimentary initial consultations and only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
Filing Your Initial Workers’ Compensation Claim
Most employers must offer coverage to their employees from their first day on the job. If you work for a covered employer and suffer a related injury or illness, you must:
- See the doctor approved by your employer as soon as possible for a diagnosis and treatment
- Notify your employer of your injury or illness within 90 days – but the sooner, the better
- File a workers’ compensation claim within two years
In most cases, your employer should submit the necessary paperwork to the workers’ compensation insurer as soon as you notify it, and, if approved, your benefits should begin quickly. This is why you want to inform them as quickly as possible – you may start receiving benefits before you miss too much work.
However, your employer may disagree that you have a work-related injury or assert that you have not suffered an injury or illness. If either happens to you, you can file your claim using Form 50 or 52 and checking box 13a, according to the Workers’ Compensation Commission. You can also reach out to a Greer workers’ compensation attorney to discuss your options.
What If the Insurer Denies My Workers’ Compensation Claim?
If the insurer denies your workers’ comp claim, Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, could evaluate your situation and determine if you should appeal the decision. In most cases, an appeal is necessary if you have an on-the-job injury and receive a denial.
According to the South Carolina Bar, this process includes:
- Gathering information about your injuries and the incident
- Completing and submitting a Form 50
- Going to a hearing before a member of the Workers’ Compensation Commission
- Appealing a decision to the entire Commission if necessary
Our team will manage this appeals process for you while you focus on healing. First, we gather this information from you to complete Form 50:
- What happened to cause your injuries or illness
- When and where the accident happened
- Who witnessed the incident
- When you reported your injury or illness and to whom
- Your diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis
After submitting your paperwork, we will take additional steps to build a compelling argument for benefits. First, we will represent you at the hearing and explain why you deserve workers’ compensation benefits and backpay. Then, if the commissioner in charge of your case doesn’t approve your claim, we will escalate the appeal and go before the entire Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Can I Recover Other Compensation Based on My Injuries?
In some cases, Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, could pursue a personal injury claim or lawsuit based on your on-the-job injuries. However, we can follow this course only when a third party’s actions lead to your injury or illness, not your employer.
Imagine a driver hit a worker as they gathered grocery carts in the parking lot. You could hold that driver legally responsible for your additional lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Speak With a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in South Carolina Today
At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, you can speak with our team today for free. We will answer your questions and detail how our services can help you. Call (864) 582-1310 today to get started.