Although Columbia is rated as one of the best cities to live in South Carolina, accidents at the workplace are fairly common. If you get injured while working in Columbia, it’s important to know that you have rights to certain benefits through the state’s workers’ compensation system.
Under the workers’ compensation system, you qualify for benefits if you were injured while performing job-related duties. Get in touch with the experienced workers’ compensation attorneys in Columbia today to learn more about the workers’ compensation benefits available.
Worker’s Compensation Eligibility in Columbia
Workers’ compensation eligibility in Columbia, South Carolina, can be a bit complex, but here’s a breakdown of the key points:
Generally, you are eligible for workers’ compensation in Columbia if:
- You are injured on the job or develop an occupational illness. This means the injury or illness must arise out of and in the course of your employment.
- Your employer has workers’ compensation insurance. All workplaces with at least four employees are required to have workers’ compensation coverage.
- You report your injury or illness to your employer promptly. In South Carolina, you have 90 days to file a claim. There are exceptions to this rule.
Steps to File a Worker’s Compensation Claim in Columbia
First, if necessary, seek medical attention. Second, inform your supervisor about the accident. The supervisor/employer is expected to file a workers’ compensation claim. If you believe they haven’t filed a claim, then it is up to you to do it. You’ll have to
- File out S.C. Workers’ Compensation Commission Form 50
- If a family member loses their life while on the job, the survivor would be expected to file Form 52.
While filing a workers’ compensation claim, make sure you have the following information readily available:
- The employer’s name
- The date of the accident/injury/diagnosis
- Injuries sustained
- Proof of informing the employer about the injury
- Expected medical treatment
- Name of the current medical provider
- Benefits expected
It also helps to stay updated on the SC Workers’ Compensation Act.
What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Can I Receive in Columbia?
In any workers’ compensation case, the benefits you receive depend on factors like your wages when injured, the seriousness of the injury, and whether you can go back to work. If you get hurt or sick due to work, you might qualify for the following benefits from your workers’ compensation claim:
1. Medical benefits
You should get all your reasonable and necessary medical expenses for your work-related injury covered. This includes doctor visits, hospital stays, medication, and other treatments your doctor recommends.
2. Wage replacement benefits
If your injury or illness stops you from working, you might get wage replacement benefits. You’ll get these benefits until your doctor says you can go back to work.
3. Death benefits
If a workplace accident leads to an employee’s death, their surviving family members might get death benefits. These benefits are usually two-thirds of the deceased worker’s average weekly wage. The survivors may receive these benefits for up to 500 weeks.
4. Vocational rehabilitation benefits
If your injury or illness means you can’t go back to your old job, you might get vocational rehabilitation benefits. These benefits can help pay for training for a new job and any costs related to finding a new job.
5. Permanent disability benefits
These benefits can be either permanent partial disability or permanent total disability. If you can still work but your work-related injury makes it hard to keep working, you might qualify for permanent partial disability benefits. If you can’t work at all because of your work-related injury, you might qualify for permanent total disability benefits.
Contact an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today!
If you’ve been hurt while working in Columbia, reach out to a workers’ compensation lawyer today. They’ll examine your situation and explain your rights and choices according to the workers’ compensation law.