How Long Do You Have to Report a Workplace Injury?
In order to be eligible to receive workers’ compensation for a workplace injury, you must report your injury in a timely manner. Different states have different requirements for how long an employee has to report an injury sustained on the job.
In South Carolina, you have 90 days from the date of injury in which to report your workplace injury. Failing to do so could mean losing out on benefits and compensation you’re entitled to under the law.
How Do I Report My Workplace Injury in South Carolina?
Report your injury to a supervisor, manager, or on-site nurse at your work.
You do not need to file a claim with the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission (SCWCC) (the agency that administers the state’s workers’ comp program); your employer will do that.
What Happens If My Employer Did Not File My Claim?
As stated above, it’s your employer’s responsibility to file a claim so your injury can be covered by workers’ comp. However, sometimes that doesn’t happen. It could be a simple oversight, or it could be because your employer doesn’t believe your claim is legitimate, for a variety of reasons.
In this case, you can file a claim with the SCWCC yourself.
We also recommend speaking with a workers’ compensation attorney. Many firms – including ours – offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation, so you can speak directly with an attorney and get advice on how to proceed.
When Should I Work with a Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
In addition to contacting an experienced workers’ comp attorney in the event that your employer did not file a claim on your behalf, working with a workers’ comp attorney is especially important in cases where:
– Your employer is denying your claim
– You haven’t received all the compensation you deserve
– You have been left with severe or permanent disfigurement or disability
– You have a pre-existing condition that complicates matters
– You are reporting an occupational illness rather than an injury
– You believe your employer is punishing you for reporting your injury
Workers’ comp is often straightforward, but in some cases it can be complicated. It’s always better to be on the safe side and speak with an attorney if you’re unsure of how to proceed in your workers’ comp case.
Call the Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at The Carolina Law Group
Were you injured at work? If you have questions about your case, need advice on what to do next, or are looking for an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in South Carolina to help you with your case, call the workers’ comp lawyers at The Carolina Law Group. Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation by calling us at one of the numbers below.
The Carolina Law Group has four offices in South Carolina for your convenience: Greenville (principal office; call 864.312.4444), Greer (principal office; call 864.757.5555), Spartanburg (principal office; call 864.312.4444) & West Columbia (principal office; call 803.881.1110).
Call us at one of our four offices or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with one of our attorneys. Our business hours are Monday – Thursday 8:30am – 5:30pm & Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm. Weekend and evening hours by appointment only. Our Greenville, SC law firm offers Spanish, Hindi, and Gujarati language translation services for your convenience.