South Carolina workers' compensation laws are designed to create a way to deliver medical care and rehabilitation services to injured workers quickly and efficiently. The underlying reason that the system was created was to give those injured on the job the ability to pay for their medical expenses and provide benefits without the need for lengthy and expensive civil lawsuits. In theory, the system works seamlessly to help employees who were victims of accidents at work. In reality, however, the worker's compensation process is far more complex.

If you are injured in the course of your employment, you are usually eligible for workers' compensation benefits -- regardless of whether the accident was caused by you or was the result of circumstances beyond your control. These benefits cover expenses for hospital stays, doctor visits, rehabilitation services, and travel expenses related to obtaining treatment. Should a worker be permanently injured, he must be evaluated by a physician to determine the percentage of his impairment. The examining doctor then reports to the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission, which makes a final determination of partial or total disability based upon the doctor's findings.

Once the percentage of impairment has been established, the amount of benefits is determined by the past and present wage rates of the injured person, and permanently injured parties can receive benefits for a maximum of 340 weeks. If temporarily disabled in totality, benefits are paid for up to 500 weeks in an amount that is usually about a two-thirds percentage of the injured person's wages. Those whose disability is ruled to be permanent and total are entitled to lifetime medical benefits and 500 weeks of benefits.

Any on-the-job injury is physically painful, but the emotional and financial stresses can become a huge burden as well. Attempting to navigate the workers' compensation system without the advice of a trained legal professional is an unenviable task at best, and doing so could keep you from obtaining your full benefits. Those benefits are often the lifeline for your family, and the guidance and advocacy of a South Carolina workers' compensation attorney are invaluable in maximizing the amount you receive. In many instances, companies contest liability and attempt to deny you your workers' compensation benefits, but a professional legal advocate can help. Proving liability is no simple task, and because your company has the aid of legal counsel, obtaining your own attorney can help you level the playing field. The Hawkins Law Firm has helped many clients obtain the workers' compensation benefits to which they are entitled, and our legal team is eager to do the same for you. Contact our office today at 864-574-8801, toll free at 1-888-HAWKLAW (429-5529), or contact us through our online form.