Permanent work-related injuries can be devastating, both physically and financially. If you or a loved one has suffered a permanent injury at work, it’s important to understand your rights and options for workers’ compensation settlements. Determining the settlement amount for a permanent injury can be a complicated process, especially since each injury is different, so you always want to have a skilled legal team on your side to ensure you receive fair and just compensation.
At Williams & Roche, our Columbia workers’ compensation attorneys are here to help you fight for the full settlement you deserve and need for ongoing future support. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in obtaining full benefits moving forward..
What Work Injuries Cause Permanent Disabilities?
Work injuries can vary in severity, but certain injuries can lead to permanent disabilities. Understanding the common work injuries that may result in permanent disabilities is crucial for individuals facing a workers’ compensation claim. Here are some of the work injuries that can cause permanent disabilities:
Amputations
The loss of a limb, such as an arm, leg, hand, or foot, due to a work-related injury can have a long-lasting impact on an individual’s life. Amputations result in permanent disabilities that may require ongoing medical care and rehabilitation, including prosthetics and other medical equipment.
Spinal Injury
A spinal injury at the workplace can lead to paralysis or other permanent impairments. Injuries to the spinal cord can have life-altering consequences, affecting a person’s mobility, sensation, and overall quality of life.
Third-Degree Burns
Severe burns from workplace accidents can cause permanent scarring and disfigurement. Third-degree burns can result in lasting physical and emotional trauma, requiring extensive medical treatment and cosmetic procedures.
Compound Fractures
Compound fractures, where the broken bone pierces through the skin, can lead to ongoing pain, limited mobility, and permanent impairment. These types of fractures can require multiple surgeries, hardware insertion, and long-term rehabilitation. Some compound fractures never fully heal, resulting in pain and mobility limitations for the rest of your life.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Work-related accidents that result in traumatic brain injuries can have significant and lasting effects on cognitive function, memory, and behavior. TBIs may necessitate ongoing therapy and support to manage the long-term impact on an individual’s life. Some brain injury victims struggle with cognitive, physical, and mental disabilities.
Permanent Injuries Can Require Ongoing Care and Prevent You from Working
Permanent injuries often require continuous medical attention, rehabilitation, and costly support. These injuries can also prevent individuals from ever returning to work or resuming their previous level of employment. Coping with a permanent disability can be quite challenging, and trying to pursue a workers’ compensation claim while dealing with physical limitations can be overwhelming.
Workers’ Compensation Settlements vs. Ongoing Benefits When You Have Permanent Injuries
If you’ve suffered a permanent injury at work, understanding workers’ compensation settlements versus ongoing benefits is important. When facing a permanent injury, you must fully understand the options available to you. Williams & Roche has over 50 years of combined legal experience and can guide you through your options.
A workers’ compensation settlement typically involves a one-time payment from your employer’s insurance company. This lump sum is meant to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and any ongoing disabilities resulting from the injury for the rest of your life. On the other hand, ongoing benefits provide regular payments to cover medical treatment, rehabilitation, and potentially lost wages for an extended period. The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission must approve a settlement before you receive it.
If you will need lifelong financial support, a settlement can be preferable to ongoing benefits, but you must ensure the settlement is adequate. By consulting a knowledgeable attorney at Williams & Roche, you can ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your permanent injury.
How Much is a Settlement for a Permanent Injury?
The settlement amount for a permanent injury can vary based on several factors, including:
- The severity of the injury
- The long-term impact on the individual’s life
- The future medical expenses and lost wages
Determining a fair settlement for a permanent injury requires a thorough evaluation of the medical evidence, expert opinions, and the individual’s unique circumstances.
It’s essential to consider not only the immediate medical costs but also the ongoing care and treatment that may be required for the rest of the individual’s life. Additionally, lost wages and the inability to return to work due to the permanent disability should be factored into the settlement amount.
Never Accept a Settlement Without Legal Counsel
When dealing with a permanent injury and pursuing a workers’ compensation claim, it’s imperative never to accept a settlement offer without consulting a qualified workers’ comp attorney. Insurance companies may try to offer a settlement that is far below what you are entitled to receive. If you accept too little compensation in a settlement, it can be very difficult or even impossible to seek more, leaving you shortchanged.
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can explain your rights and negotiate on your behalf for a fair settlement that covers all your future losses.
How Our Workers’ Comp Lawyers Fight for Fair Settlements
At Williams & Roche, our dedicated team of workers’ compensation lawyers is committed to fighting for fair settlements on behalf of our clients. We have a clear, in-depth understanding of the workers’ compensation system in South Carolina, and we have successfully represented clients statewide who have suffered permanent injuries in workplace accidents.
Our attorneys advocate for our clients’ rights, thoroughly evaluate the extent of their injuries, and pursue maximum compensation to cover their medical expenses and disability coverage. We work tirelessly to ensure that our clients receive the fair and just settlements they deserve, providing them with the support and guidance they need during this challenging time.
Consult a Columbia, South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Attorney Now
If you have sustained a permanent injury in a work-related accident in Columbia, South Carolina, always seek legal representation from a skilled workers’ compensation attorney.
Williams & Roche is here to help you secure the settlement you deserve.
Contact Williams & Roche today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how our experienced attorneys can assist you with your workers’ compensation claim.
