BMW employs roughly 11,000 workers in South Carolina with numerous other jobs tied to the plant. The company has an eight-million-square-foot plant located in Spartanburg, which is clearly visible to anyone who is driving down I-85. BMW is estimated to contribute over $26 billion to the state’s economy. However, even though the plant creates jobs, the positions may not be the safest for the workers. While BMW makes large profits from automobile production, employees are often left to bear the risks. If you have been injured while working for BMW, or at the plant, you may be eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim with the help of a BMW Factory Worker Injury Lawyer.
Common Injuries Suffered by Automotive Workers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 185 out of every 100,000 workers in the automotive industry suffer a job related illness or injury each year. If you are a lifelong automotive worker, the odds are that you will suffer at least one injury or illness that will keep you out of work for some time. Not only do automotive workers have very physical jobs, but they also work under difficult conditions.
Common causes of BMW worker injuries include:
- Machinery that is not properly maintained or operated
- Standing on one’s feet all day without proper ergonomics
- Continuous lifting of heavy equipment and auto parts
- Exposure to loud noise
- Exposure to toxic chemicals
- Slip and falls
- Repetitive stress, when a worker is required to use the same motion for a prolonged amount of time
- Exposure to heavy vibrations from machinery
Regardless of the cause of your injury, you should be covered by workers’ compensation insurance when your condition results from your job. It does not matter whether you were injured in a singular accident or if the injury occurred over a period of time.
Which BMW Plant Workers May Be Eligible for Workers’ Compensation?
South Carolina law requires employers to purchase workers’ compensation insurance (or to self-insure against claims) when they have four or more employees. Only actual employees of a company can file a claim against their workers’ compensation insurance policy. If you are an independent contractor, you may not be entitled to workers compensation benefits.
There are numerous contractors who work at the BMW plant. If the contractor has been injured, they could file a claim against their own employer’s workers compensation insurance. However, not all contractors work for a company. Some may work for themselves. As such, they may not be entitled to workers compensation benefits. However, BMW does not get to classify workers however they want. Some employers misclassify workers as independent contractors, and you can challenge that in court.
What to Do After a BMW Plant Injury
The first step after a work-related injury or illness is to report it to your employer. South Carolina law gives you 90 days to report the injury, although you should never wait that long. If you miss the deadline for reporting, you could miss out on workers’ compensation benefits entirely.
BMW has the right to choose a doctor for you to see. They may even send you to the health center that is on their massive campus. Know that you are dealing with a doctor who is on your employer’s payroll, and act accordingly. Still, you must see the doctor that BMW sends you to if you want a chance at receiving workers compensation benefits. Make sure to follow up on your medical care and attend all appointments.
Since you are dealing with a large employer, it may help you to hire an attorney as soon as possible after your injury for help with your claim. If you have filed your claim on your own, and you have received a denial, you will need a BMW Factory Worker Injury Lawyer to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Why Hire Williams & Roche for Your Workers Compensation Case
There are times when you need an experienced BMW Factory Worker Injury Lawyer to help fight for your rights. BMW certainly is not interested in you and your needs. They may stand in the way of what you are legally entitled to under South Carolina law.
The attorneys at Williams & Roche know exactly what large companies like BMW can do during the workers’ compensation claims process. We have worked for large insurance companies, and we know what it is like from the other side. In addition, in our capacity as Commissioners on the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission, we have observed some of the outrageous tactics that employers and insurance companies use to trample on the legal rights of injured workers.
How Much Is My BMW Workers’ Compensation Settlement Worth?
It is hard for us to give you an estimate of how much your case is worth without knowing more about your particular condition. Our attorneys will review your medical records to learn the extent of your injury, as well as your income history to know how much you are making before you were hurt.
You may disagree with the doctor who has evaluated you and assessed the extent of your disability. When you hire an experienced workers compensation attorney, we can fight back. You can always go for a second opinion from another doctor, and a Commissioner can decide your case.
Contact a BMW Factory Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Columbia, SC
If you are a BMW worker who has been injured or fallen ill on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits that can help cushion the blow of not being able to do your job.
The attorneys at Williams & Roche can represent you throughout the workers’ compensation claims, appeals and settlement processes. Schedule a free initial consultation with a BMW Factory Worker Injury Lawyer by sending us a message through a website or by calling us today at 803.784.0503.
