Working with a seasoned workers’ compensation attorney can provide you with a wealth of advantages. They can take over the legal matters and handle the red tape so you can focus on getting the medical and occupational help you need to get better. A lawyer can also connect you with resources you can use to support yourself and your loved ones during this time.
Additionally, they can take steps to make sure your injury-related medical care is covered.
Williams & Roche, LLC provides personalized and effective legal representation to workers who are hurt at work or doing work-related tasks. We understand the unique challenges that workers can face when navigating medical limitations while also trying to figure out how to support themselves and their loved ones.
Understanding the Role of a Workers’ Compensation Attorney
A seasoned attorney can be invaluable for those filing a claim for benefits because of a work injury. The lawyer can talk to the employee and learn about the context in which they were injured. They can also discuss the person’s relationship with their employer — e.g., as a regular employee or independent contractor — to determine what their rights are. Additionally, the lawyer can help the person submit claims documents and accident notices before the filing deadlines expire.
How Attorneys Fight for Your Right To Get Full Medical and Wage Replacement Benefits
Under South Carolina law, some of the workers’ compensation benefits a hurt employee might be entitled to include payment for injury-related medical care and wage loss. The exact amount someone receives depends on things like the severity of their injury, their average weekly wage before the incident, and the strength of their claim. Moreover, the type of employment relationship they have with their employer can impact what they are eligible to receive.
A workers’ compensation attorney understands these rules and the nuanced process of requesting benefits. They can help the injured worker gather evidence needed to prove their claim and increase their chances of receiving a maximized settlement. Additionally, they can estimate what the worker might qualify for and help negotiate a fair settlement with the employer and insurance company.
Common Mistakes That Could Reduce Your Benefits (and How an Attorney Can Help)
Filing a workers’ compensation claim involves multiple nuanced steps that need to be completed in a particular order and within a specific length of time. For example, workers must notify their employer within 90 days of when the accident happens or from when they realize their condition is work-related. After they submit this initial notice, they may have up to two years to begin a formal claim request with the Workers’ Compensation Commission. However, these deadlines may be different in some situations, such as if the worker’s injury is due to occupational exposure or if the worker dies because of their condition.
After they submit the claim, the employee also needs to send in evidence to support their request for benefits. The evidence they might use could include medical records, photographs of what occurred, and a pain diary. People may have trouble requesting the correct documents or doing so within the timeframe required to bring the claim. For someone in the midst of an injury that puts them out of work, it can be incredibly relieving to have the help of a seasoned lawyer who can track and meet these steps for them.
Proving the Severity of Your Injury (and Why It Is Important)
Your workers’ compensation attorney in Columbia, SC, can help you prove the severity of your injury. Doing so can help you fight for the maximum benefits in your situation, allowing you to support yourself and your family while you heal. Ways you can show the true extent of your injury include testimony and statements from your doctor, a pain diary explaining your daily discomfort and limitations, and photographs of your wounds. A seasoned legal advocate can help you locate and use evidence to prove that your condition is serious and prevents you from earning a living.
Protecting Your Rights Against Employer or Insurance Tactics
A trusted work injury attorney can help protect your rights if your employer or their insurance company resists paying fair compensation. For example, they can help you identify and meet the critical filing deadlines. Moreover, they understand what legal arguments might work and what ones might not in your legal case. Additionally, they can locate and properly use a range of robust evidence to prove your injury and the compensation you are entitled to under the law.
Hurt at Work? Contact a Workers’ Comp Lawyer at Williams & Roche, LLC
When you get hurt while at your job, it is critical to get the financial and medical support you need to help you heal. Instead of handling the legal aspects of your claim by yourself, consider collaborating with a workers’ compensation attorney who can offer personalized recommendations.
Williams & Roche, LLC, has been fighting for workers for many years from many perspectives.
With two former Workers’ Compensation Commissioners, we have vast experience in handling all aspects of work injury claims. We call on our diverse background and wealth of resources to craft compelling and agile strategies to help people fight for what they are owed under the law.
Reach out to our office today by calling 803.784.0503 to schedule a no-obligation consultation.
