South Carolina Work Injury Attorneys
The South Carolina Workers Compensation Commission
The South Carolina Workers Compensation Commission adjudicates disputes over employer liability and employee disability.
The Basics about the Commission
Headquartered at 1333 Main Street, Suite 500 in Columbia, South Carolina, the Commission is comprised of seven members, who are directly appointed by the state governor to serve out a six-year term. Members must be approved by the state Senate before they can serve. The governor also chooses one commissioner to serve for two years as the Chairman, who acts as the chief executive officer and actively implements policy.
Solving Disputes
The workers compensation system takes disputes between employees and employers out of the courts to prevent the court system from being overrun by job injury lawsuits. Thus, workers comp disputes do not get tried in court. They go before the Workers Compensation Commission. If either the employee or the employer disagrees with the Commission’s decision at a hearing, that decision can be appealed. The appellate process is often lengthy, and matters can even wind up in front of the state Supreme Court.
The role of your South Carolina Workers Compensation Attorney
Benefits of having an attorney
Your South Carolina workers compensation attorney can provide several key services. First of all, he or she will strive to use detailed knowledge of the law and the workers compensation system to obtain maximum benefits for you. Your lawyer will represent you in negotiations with your employer’s insurance company or at a hearing in front of the South Carolina Workers Compensation Commission.
How are workers comp attorneys paid?
Many attorneys work on a contingency basis in workers compensation cases. This means that they do not ask for any money up front – they can wait until the end of the case to get paid out of the final settlement amount. They recoup fees as a percentage of the settlement. They also collect what are known as advanced costs — reimbursements for money advanced to build the case and pay fees to the Commission. Make sure that you understand how these fees and costs are calculated and deducted from the total settlement amount. Some lawyers will also provide a free, confidential, no obligation consultation to answer your questions about the workers compensation process. This gives you a chance to evaluate their services, philosophy, and personality.
Attorneys cannot just charge what they want. The South Carolina Workers Compensation Commission must approve fees charged by an attorney. This provides a safeguard to check that fees remain equitable.
Does every injured worker need a workers compensation attorney?
Not necessarily. But if you can find a lawyer who will give you a free consultation, the lawyer can help explain the benefits of hiring a lawyer or not in your situation.
Injury cases range dramatically in terms of complexity and nuance. Simple cases involving minor injuries and modest medical bills may not necessitate hiring a lawyer. On the other hand, consider retaining an attorney if:
- Your claim will be large or will have long-term implications
- Your employer or the insurance company is being difficult
- The technical aspects of your claim require delicate handling
Remember: seemingly straightforward claims have ways of blossoming into contorted and legally complicated matters. So it’s almost always a good idea to at least consult with a South Carolina workers compensation attorney up front to learn your options and the potential pitfalls.
George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers
If you, a family member, or a coworker needs help with your South Carolina workers compensation case, call George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers toll free at 1-877-627-6625 (7465). Also check out the free resources about South Carolina workers compensation at our website, www.sinklaw.com.
