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Free Consultation | Columbia(803) 973-0304 | Charleston(843) 388-3368 | Summerville (By appointment only)(843) 388-3368
Tell a supervisor. Don’t wait. That small “it’s fine” moment can cost you later. Report it to your supervisor or HR. Write down what happened, where, and when. Even if you think it’s minor, that first record is everything. Almost every list of workers’ compensation FAQs starts right here.
In South Carolina, your employer picks the doctor. Weird, right? You can still ask for a second opinion later. But at first, the company’s chosen physician will document your injuries for the claim. Keep notes after every visit.
That’s a red flag. You have a legal right to report an injury. Some employers try to “handle it in-house” to avoid paperwork or higher premiums. Don’t fall for it. File anyway. Protecting your health and income isn’t optional. Workers’ compensation FAQs like this exist because too many people hesitate.
As soon as you can. Really.
South Carolina law gives you up to 90 days to report an injury. But waiting that long can hurt your case. The longer you wait, the more stories change. Memories fade. Paperwork gets lost.
It happens. More than you’d expect.
Here’s how to take action:
Yes, but it’s not always simple. You may need permission from the insurance company, or your lawyer can step in and make the request on your behalf. The reason? South Carolina law allows them to do so. If you see your own doctor, there is a good chance that your employer’s insurance company will not pay for that visit.
Sometimes, doctors miss things. It’s your body but South Carolina law allows employers to choose your doctors. Obtaining a second medical opinion provides clarity. Your attorney can discuss this in more detail with you. Questions like this frequently appear in workers’ compensation FAQs.
That’s tough. When an injury changes what you can do, it can feel like losing part of who you are. But there’s help for that. Your attorney can hire a vocational expert to evaluate your ability to do certain jobs.
It depends on your injury. Some people get a few weeks of coverage. Others qualify for months or years if their condition is severe.
The system looks at:
No two timelines are the same.
Most South Carolina employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, especially if they have four or more employees. Suppose yours doesn’t, contact the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission right away as well as a South Carolina workers’ compensation attorney. This is an answer in a workers’ compensation FAQ that often surprises people.
Not always. But it helps. The system can get messy: deadlines, forms, confusing letters. A lawyer keeps it straight and makes sure no one cuts corners on your benefits. Think of it like having a guide through a maze.