How to Get Workers Compensation for an Occupational Disease in South Carolina

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While we do our best to provide accurate information at the time of publication, laws and circumstances change over time and this article may not be the most up-to-date resource available. If you have questions about a particular situation, please contact us for a free consultation.

Monty Desai | Attorney, Greenville, SC
Monty Desai | Partner & Attorney

The Workers’ Compensation system in South Carolina provides compensation to employees who have been injured or become ill in the course of their job. In order for a workers’ comp claim to be successful, it needs to be shown that the employee was harmed while on the job.

While this may be relatively easy when it comes to an acute injury, it becomes more challenging with respect to an occupational disease. After all, an injured employee who falls and breaks a wrist at work can clearly detail the time, location, and circumstances that surrounded the injury. Illnesses and diseases, on the other hand, take time to develop and it may be hard to show that one developed as the result of workplace conditions.

With that in mind, here’s what’s needed to get workers’ compensation for an occupational disease in South Carolina.

Occupational Disease: Definition and Examples

First, let’s look at exactly what occupational disease is. By definition, an occupational disease is one that arises due to working conditions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the following common types of occupational illnesses:
· Skin diseases or disorders like eczema, rash, and friction blisters
· Respiratory conditions like asbestosis, mesothelioma, and chronic obstructive bronchitis
· Poisoning by metals, gases, organic solvents, and other toxic substances
· Musculoskeletal disorders like hernias, sprains, and repetitive strain injuries
· Hearing loss

Workers in certain jobs are more likely to develop an occupational illness than in others. This includes miners, welders, drillers, and workers in power plants, processing plants, textile factories, commercial construction, and shipyards. The nature of the work means these employees are more likely to be around workplace and environmental stimuli and substances that lead to occupational disease.

What it Takes for a Successful Occupational Disease Claim

Certain occupational diseases have been established over the years as being connected to particular occupations. For example, asbestosis and mesothelioma are linked to several types of industrial jobs. This makes it easier to show the connection between the working conditions and the development of the disease itself when it comes time to file a workers’ comp claim.

For occupational diseases that aren’t well known to relate to particular jobs, it requires more work to show the connection. The worker needs to document their working conditions and demonstrate their exposure to certain chemicals, repetitive movements, or environmental factors they believe led to the occupational disease. They should also get a diagnosis and the opinion of a medical professional stating that the working conditions were the direct factors in the development of the disease. The worker will have a stronger case if they are not the only person in the same role with the disease, but there’s still a chance they can have a successful workers’ comp claim even if they are.

Call the Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at The Carolina Law Group

In South Carolina, you have two years to file a claim for workers’ comp. For occupational diseases, the clock starts running when you discover (or should have reasonably discovered) that you have the occupation-related condition. For help with your claim, speak with an experienced workers’ comp attorney at The Carolina Law Group. They can help you understand how to build a solid case and help you get the compensation you’re entitled to under the law. Call one of the numbers below to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your situation.

The Carolina Law Group has four offices in upstate South Carolina for your convenience: Greenville (principal office; call 864.312.4444), West Greenville (864.312.4444), Greer (principal office; call 864.757.5555), and Spartanburg (principal office; call 864.757.5555). Call today.

Monty Desai | Partner & Attorney | CLG
Monty Desai | Partner & Attorney | CLG

About 

Monty D. Desai came to the United States on Christmas Eve, 1988. After high school he joined the service in order to earn money for college. Monty would go on to earn a letter of commendation as a Navy Corpsman for the Marine Corps. After his service, Monty completed his undergraduate studies at the University of South Carolina. From there, Monty went on to attend Thomas M. Cooley Law School on full scholarship, where he earned his Juris Doctorate. Following graduation from law school, Monty served as prosecutor with Greenville County Solicitor’s Office, and also worked as a a adjunct professor in the Criminal Justice Division at Greenville Technical College. In 2015 Monty was recognized by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys as ranked among the Top 10 Under 40 for excellence in the field of personal injury.

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