Hand injuries at work can completely uproot your life, preventing you from doing tasks such as dressing yourself, typing, driving, or doing your job. When they get in the way of you being able to earn a salary, it can put added stress on you that makes it difficult to make due and get the help you need. By taking advantage of the fault-free workers’ compensation system in South Carolina, you give yourself the chance to access medical treatments you need to heal and wage loss benefits to help you manage your bills.
You do not need to take this critical step alone. Collaborating with a reputable hand injury attorney at Williams & Roche, LLC, can help you reclaim the energy and time you need to recover from the accident. We understand what you are going through, and we welcome the opportunity to serve as your advocate during the claims process.
Types of Hand Injuries at Work
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 102,350 job-related incidents involving hand injuries in 2020. Employees may experience a wide range of hand injuries on the job. For example, someone’s hand may get stuck in a piece of machinery, causing a painful degloving.
Or a piece of equipment may malfunction, amputating a worker’s thumb. Other ways someone may hurt their hand while doing their job include having something strike them, resulting in a crushing injury or fracture. Likewise, someone who types a lot for work may develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
Average Workers’ Compensation Settlements for Hand Injuries
Each workers’ comp settlement reflects the law and circumstances at play in that particular instance. In other words, there is no set or standard average settlement. Instead, the person receives a financial award based on what they are entitled to under the law for their specific injury.
That said, the types of benefits available to the person include money to cover lost wages during their recovery period. Additionally, they may be able to get reimbursed for the cost of their injury related healthcare, such as doctor’s visits, prescription medications, and surgeries.
However, if they sustain a specific type of loss — like an amputated thumb — they may receive a set amount based on the schedule outlined in South Carolina law.
What Factors Affect a Workers’ Compensation Case for a Hand Injury?
Workers’ comp hand injury settlements can vary based on the severity and type of the person’s injury, how quickly they file a claim, and how they got hurt. Because of how important it is for you to receive the maximum compensation available under the law, consider hiring an attorney with decades of experience fighting for injured workers. They can answer your questions, help you identify and protect your rights, and file claims documents on your behalf.
The type of injury
What type of injury the person experiences and how it impacts their ability to function can change their settlement. For example, someone who loses a thumb may receive 66 and two thirds percent of their average weekly wages for 65 weeks. Someone who fractures a finger may receive a different amount based on things such as whether they experience a total or partial disability.
Likewise, the severity of the injury can also affect the person’s final settlement. For example, someone who has a total disability may receive benefits for much longer than someone with a partial disability.
When they file their claim
South Carolina law requires an injured worker to tell their employer about their condition within 90 days after the harmful incident occurs. Ideally, the person would send in this notice sooner. If their hand injury is due to repetitive trauma — such as typing or doing manual tasks — the 90-day clock begins when they discover or should have discovered it.
Additionally, the injured person needs to file a formal claim with the Workers’ Compensation Commission. The deadline to do so is two years from the accident or when the person realizes their condition is work-related.
How they got hurt
The situation that led to the person’s injury may impact how much compensation they receive.
Their condition needs to be connected to work, either because of an accident — like malfunctioning machinery — or due to long-term trauma or exposure. Likewise, the worker needs to be able to prove they were acting within the scope of their job when they got hurt.
Additionally, the employee roughhousing or drinking alcohol should not be the reason the incident happened.
Permanent Physical Impairment Compensation for Hand Injuries on the Job
Suffering hand injuries at work may require delicate and, in some cases, aggressive medical treatments — such as reconstruction — to restore their full functionality. For some, these operations may not completely help the person use their hands in the same way they could before the incident.
If someone’s injuries leave them with a total and lasting disability, they may be eligible for permanent disability payments. The benefits they receive may go on for up to 500 weeks; however, it depends on their unique situation. Those who lose both hands or lose a hand and another part of their body — like a foot, arm, or vision — may also qualify for these total and permanent disability payments.
Speak to a Hand Injury Lawyer at Williams & Roche, LLC, Today
Hurting your hand while at work can cause you an immense amount of inconvenience and frustration as you try to move through life without the complete use of your hands and fingers.
While nothing can turn back the clock and automatically put you back in the position you were in before, seeking a workers’ comp settlement can connect you with the resources you need to rebuild. Instead of trying to juggle your daily responsibilities and a legal case at the same time, consider handing over the legal matters to a reputable attorney who can help.
For decades, the attorneys at Williams & Roche, LLC, have tirelessly fought for those who experience hand injuries at work. With two founding attorneys who served on the Workers’ Compensation Commission, we have a robust understanding of South Carolina workers’ compensation laws. Contact us today by calling 803.784.0503 to schedule an initial consultation to talk about your options and concerns.
