How do you file a workers’ compensation claim in South Carolina? If you’ve been injured on the job or have developed an occupational disease, filing a workers’ comp claim is a crucial step to getting compensation you need to cover lost wages, medical bills, and more.
But some people are hesitant to file a workers’ comp claim. They’re worried that the process will be long and difficult, with a lot of confusing paperwork and red tape.
Fortunately, that’s not the case. That’s because in South Carolina, you are not responsible for filing a workers’ comp claim.
That’s right – as the injured worker, it’s not up to you to fill out the paperwork and file the claim.
It’s the Employer’s Responsibility to File the Workers’ Comp Claim
Your employer is responsible for filling out and filing the paperwork to start the claim on your behalf. The claim is typically filed with both the employer’s workers’ comp insurance company and with the South Carolina Workers Compensation Commission.
It’s Your Responsibility to Report Your Injury or Illness to Your Employer
Before your employer can file a claim, however, you must first report your injury or illness to the appropriate person at work, such as your supervisor or manager, an H.R. rep, or a safety officer.
Importantly, you have just 90 days to report your accident. In most cases, the sooner you report your injury, the better. If you fail to report within 90 days, you may be barred from receiving workers’ comp benefits for your illness or injury.
What Happens When the Claim Process Hits a Snag?
Starting the claims process for a workplace injury or illness is not difficult, as you can see above. Simply report your injury or illness to your employer within 90 days, and your employer will take it from there. Most of the time, the system works as intended, and injured workers are covered without complications.
But sometimes, things don’t go so smoothly. Maybe the insurance company rejects the claim, or your employer fails to file a claim on your behalf, or you don’t receive the type or amount of compensation you’re expecting. Maybe you missed a deadline or need to appeal a decision with the Commission. Whatever your situation, the smart thing to do is contact a workers’ compensation lawyer.
Call the Workers’ Comp Attorneys at The Carolina Law Group
For over a decade, we’ve been helping South Carolina workers get the compensation they are entitled to under the law so they can get better and get back to work. We’re ready to do the same for you and to fight for what you deserve. Whether you need help with a complicated claim, or just have questions about your situation, we want to hear from you. Give us a call at one of the numbers below.
Call us today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation and tell us your story. 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.