Filing a Workers' Compensation Claim in South Carolina
Lexington workers' compensation attorney J. Bradley Baker can help with a process that can seem confusing and frustrating at times. Many injured workers can feel afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing in interviews or paperwork that might lead to a loss of benefits or the loss of their job. An experienced attorney at the firm of J. Bradley Baker, LLC, can help.
A website, while informative, can never take the place of a face-to-face meeting with a skilled lawyer. We offer a brief overview of the workers' compensation process to answer a few questions, but highly encourage you to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case in detail.
- As soon as the accident occurs, it is important to report your injury to your supervisor or manager. Give as much detail as possible, including the time, place and any witnesses of your accident. Also be clear about the body parts that are hurt.
- Once the injury is reported, your employer is immediately responsible for any medical treatment. Chances are that it has a relationship with a nearby medical care facility. Your employer will suggest that you report there for diagnostics and treatment.
- It is important to note that the workers' compensation carrier gets to pick the medical provider. We can either ask for a second opinion or send you to a different carrier at our expense. This is one of the areas where having an attorney can be very helpful. Without the resources of a medical expert, you might not get the treatment you need. This can ultimately determine what the lump-sum award might be. You are entitled to medical treatment until you reach maximum medical improvement.
- When you go to the doctor, be clear that this was a workplace injury. Also, be as detailed as possible about what parts of your body were hurt. If your shoulder was injured, for example, do not just say that your arm hurts. Additionally, if there is more than one body part that has been affected, be clear about that.
- Medical personnel will determine if you are able to return to work and if you should work with restrictions or light duty.
- Depending on the severity of the injuries, the medical personnel might determine that you cannot work. If you are out of work for 7 days then you qualify for temporary total disability benefits (TTD). The doctor will determine when, and if, you are able to come back to work either in full duty or modified.
Contact Our Office
If you have questions regarding the workers' compensation process, schedule a free consultation at J. Bradley Baker, LLC. Contact us for an appointment by calling
