1) Seek Adequate Medical Treatment
The most important thing to do any time you are injured is to get the proper medical treatment you need. Your health should always be your top priority. Under South Carolina’s workers’ compensation laws, your employer (through their workers’ compensation insurance) will pay for your medical treatment from a work-related injury. Your first option is to contact your employer and have them arrange medical treatment for you. Many large employers have on-site medical professionals who can provide immediate treatment without having to go to an outside doctor.
2) Timely Notify Your Employer
One of the most important things you can do to preserve your rights after a work injury is to properly notify your employer of your injury in a timely manner. South Carolina workers’ compensation laws allow for employers to deny work injuries that have not been reported within ninety days from the date of injury. My advice is to notify more than one supervisor, seek to complete any paperwork your employer might have to document your injury and be mindful of possible witnesses that are around at the time of your injury.
3) Contact a South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Attorney
It is always a good idea to speak with a workers’ compensation attorney about your rights. This does not necessarily mean you have to, or need to, hire an attorney. Unless your claim is completely denied, you are receiving inadequate benefits, or you have suffered a significant injury that results in some form of permanent impairment or disability, it may not be in your best interest to hire an attorney.
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can inform you if you are receiving the proper benefits the law provides. Most workers’ compensation attorneys offer a free consultation to discuss your case and see if you might be in need of legal help. If you would like to speak with our South Carolina workers' compensation attorney about your work injury, or have any specific questions, please feel free to contact our office and we would be happy to speak with you about your possible workers’ compensation claim.