Does a workers’ comp claim hurt my South Carolina employer?

There are a lot of great employers in South Carolina. Some run small, tight operations with few employees. If you work for one of these companies, you might have a long history with your employer and believe in the company and the people who work there.

That’s why it’s not at all unusual for us to hear from injured workers that they don’t want to hurt their employers by filing a South Carolina workers’ compensation claim.

The thing to remember is that the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation system exists to protect both employers and employees in the event an employee suffers an on-the-job injury. You’re covered by your employer’s insurance in exchange for your employer’s safety from a lawsuit, which means that making a claim and using the insurance should not harm your employer.

Of course, it’s easy to say your employer won’t be hurt, but the reality is that the company management might be acting like it has a lot to lose and there are circumstances when a workers’ comp claim could be hard for your employer.

That doesn’t mean you should back off. You only have one chance to get the benefits you will need to manage your injury for the rest of your life, so you have to make the right decision for your health and financial future.

Insurance premiums

Your employer will likely see workers’ compensation insurance premiums increase and could even have trouble getting insurance if the company has recently had multiple incidents or substantial claims.

This may put your employer on the defensive and you might feel like your claim is hurting the company. However, the insurance is there to protect you and multiple claims could be a symptom of deeper safety issues that the company needs to address to avoid injuring other employees.

Safety records

If the company you work for has had several employees file workers’ compensation claims, it could be facing penalties from regulating bodies, which will also be likely to put your boss on the defensive.

Look out for yourself and your fellow employees

Your employer should not have anything to fear from your South Carolina workers’ compensation claim unless the company has had multiple employees file claims over a short period. If that’s the case, it’s not your fault and you’re not hurting your employer by making a claim. You have to look out for yourself and make sure you get the medical attention and benefits you need in order to recover and get back to work, or sustain financial health if you can’t return to work. If working conditions are dangerous and your injury claim gets your employer in trouble, that’s the company’s issue and it needs to address those safety concerns so other employees don’t get hurt.

Get help

If your employer is pressuring or bullying you to avoid making a workers’ compensation claim, contact the experienced South Carolina workers’ compensation attorneys at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers. We have offices in Charleston, Greenville, Columbia, Orangeburg, and several other locations across the state. Some locations are available by appointment only, but we can meet with you any time at a place that is most convenient for you. Our free case evaluation can help you understand your rights.