Pickens Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Filing a workers’ compensation claim or appealing an unfavorable decision is not always as easy as it should be. A Pickens workers’ compensation lawyer may be able to help you, no matter how complex or how straightforward your claim is. We believe South Carolinians should be able to recover from their injuries and live their best lives afterward.

If you have been injured in a workplace accident in Pickens, you have legal rights, and we help you protect them as you seek the compensation you are due. For more information, including a free case review, call Hammack Law Firm at (864) 326-3333(864) 326-3333. We are always here to take your call, and we offer free initial consultations to help you review the options that may be available to you.

Who Is Eligible for Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation insurance is designed to help employees who suffer a workplace injury that prevents them from working and/or requires medical attention. However, not all workers are entitled to such benefits, and not all workplace injuries are covered by workers’ compensation insurance.

To receive workers’ compensation benefits, the first thing you must do is find out (if you do not already know) whether your employer carries such insurance. We can look that up for you and give you guidance. Per S.C. Ann. § 42-1-150, almost all South Carolina employers with four or more employees are required by law to provide those employees with workers’ compensation. Exceptions to this rule are listed in S.C. Ann. § 42-1-360.

Your injury must also meet legal specifications. Your injury is generally compensable if it is:

• The direct result of you doing your job
• A one-time injury (e.g., injuries that build up over time do not count)
• Physical in nature

In general, mental stress or psychological injuries by themselves are not compensable. Further information about compensable injuries can be found in S.C. Ann. § 42-1-160. If you meet all of the above criteria, you should be entitled to workers’ compensation.

Unfortunately, as discussed below, deserving and receiving benefits are often two different things. A Pickens workers’ compensation lawyer from our firm can help you bridge the gap by explaining your options and guiding you through the entire process. Call Hammack Law Firm at (864) 326-3333(864) 326-3333 if you would like to learn more. We proudly serve Pickens and surrounding communities.

Benefits Offered Under Workers’ Compensation in South Carolina

Workers’ compensation benefits in South Carolina cover all medical bills related to your injury, whether you suffered it at the job site or while performing work-related business. This includes any work-related travel. These benefits also cover wages you lost during the time you could not go to work because of your injuries. If your injury or illness ends up being long-term, then the medical expenses and lost income will factor into long-term compensation for you.

Your benefits may also include:

• Temporary or permanent disability
• Vocational or educational rehabilitation in case you need training before taking another job
• Death benefits (for surviving beneficiaries who lost a loved one to an on-the-job injury)

A Lawyer Can Help You Understand How Your Injury Affects Your Potential Claim

Speaking with our legal team serving Pickens, S.C., can be helpful in various ways. One advantage is that you will know what benefits you can claim. Some think workers’ compensation claims covered only accidents and injuries. But they also cover repetitive stress injuries (RSIs), which occur over time, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or bursitis, a condition that causes swelling and stiffness affecting the joints.

It can also cover the medical costs for an illness an employee contracted in the workplace, such as allergies or other serious ailments due to exposure to harmful chemicals.

How to Get the Benefits You Need

Workers’ compensation insurance offers many benefits to injured workers. Among them are weekly checks covering two-thirds of your usual salary and free medical care for your injuries.

According to the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission (SWCCC), the claims process may go like this:

One: Reporting the Injury

As soon as possible, tell your employer about your injury. Explain how the accident happened and that you would like them to put in a claim with their workers’ compensation insurance carrier.

Two: Filing the Claim

Often, your employer will file a claim for workers’ compensation on your behalf. However, if they do not (e.g., they deny your injury took place while on the job), your attorney may take this step for you by sending the proper forms to the Workers’ Compensation Commission.

Three: Apply for a Hearing

If at any point, you have a problem with your claim or benefits (e.g., your benefits are stopped before you are ready to go back to work), we may request a hearing with the SCWCC. It will help settle any disagreements between you and your employer or you and your employer’s insurance company.

Before your case goes to a hearing, the commission may first suggest that you and the other party attend mediation. A mediator will try to help the two of you come to a mutually satisfactory agreement. If mediation is unsuccessful, we can proceed with the hearing.

Legal Representation Can Help with Your Claim

If the process described above sounds overly complicated or strenuous, let a lawyer from our firm assist you. No matter what stage your claim is in, Hammack Law Firm is ready to help.

The first thing we will do for you is evaluate your case. By calling our office, you will connect with a member of our team. They will discuss your accident and claim with you and let you know if we can help. This service is free and places you under no obligation whatsoever: you are free to do whatever you wish with the information we provide, but we are confident after meeting with us that you will proceed with us standing beside you.

After the case reviewer confirms that you have a viable case, we assist you by:

• Exploring options: We will figure out the best ways of pursuing compensation and discuss the pros and cons of each with you.
• Filing forms: This includes applying for a hearing in the event of a dispute with your employer.
• Communicating: We will relay all messages between you and the other party. We will also keep you up to date on the status of your case.
• Being your advocate: Do not worry about arguing your case before a commissioner or a judge. Your lawyer can represent you at all stages of appeal.
• Guiding you: Whenever you have a question or want help making a decision, reach out to us. We are happy to provide you with all the help you need.

Your lawyer will do everything they can, but this is still your case, and you are still in charge. If you are happy with the agreement reached during mediation, our job is finished. If you want to keep fighting through all possible levels of hearings and appeals, we will stick with you to the end. Whatever you decide, Hammack Law Firm is here for you.

Review Some of Our Workers’ Compensation Case Results

We will create a strategy that specifically addresses the unique challenges of your Pickens workers’ compensation case. Each case we handle is different, so results can vary. Here are just a few workers’ compensation wins we’ve achieved for past clients:

• $370,000: For a client whose workers’ compensation claim we managed
• $365,000: For a worker who suffered a spinal cord injury while performing landscaping
• $295,000: For a client hurt in a hydraulic lift accident
• $230,000: For a worker who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after a tire hit them on the head
• $170,000: Settlement for a worker who suffered injuries after falling 16 feet through a roof

We will pursue the proper settlement in your case. The monetary award you could recover can help you pay medical bills and other expenses as a result of your injuries.

Hear What Our Past Clients Have to Say About Working with Us

We have been rated highly among our past clients, who feel they received the service we guarantee in our Client’s Bill of Rights. At Hammack Law Firm, we treat clients like our friends and family and go the distance with them as we work for their recovery.

Here are a few testimonials from people we have helped:

“Paul really helped me on my case! He was very thorough and fought hard for my worker’s comp case. I appreciate him and his staff and all they’ve done for me. I highly recommend them!” – Samantha Anderson

“Every time I contacted Hammack Law Firm (Lynn Dunn) about my case they got back with me within an hour of contacting them. They were very nice and friendly with helping me with my case. I’m more happy about getting my case closed within a year’s time. My hospital bills are paid and out the way. Thank you so much and if I ever have a issue like the one I had I will be contacting them again!” – The KNG Collection

“There are not enough words to describe the great experience that I have had dealing with all of the kind people at Hammack Law. Whenever I called or texted, you would think I was their only client. They immediately answered and was always so professional, but yet made me feel like family.” – Jean Smith

Call Us Today for a Free Consultation

If you are looking for a lawyer to help you with your workers’ compensation claim, call Hammack Law Firm at (864) 326-3333(864) 326-3333. As our Google reviews show, we make it our mission to provide caring, compassionate legal service to our clients.

By hiring a Pickens workers’ compensation lawyer, you give yourself the chance to focus on getting better and getting back to work while we fight for the compensation you need.