Colleton, SC Work Injury Lawyer
Getting injured at work can cause serious issues in your and your family’s lives. We rely on our jobs and health to provide for our families, so you should reach out to our attorneys as soon as possible after suffering a work injury.
Our team can help clear up the confusion of recovering compensation. Many workers’ lives are turned upside down after getting injured, and the methods for recovering damages do not make it less challenging. Fortunately, our lawyers can handle each aspect of your case, including how to cover your losses. While Workers’ Compensation can provide some relief, it is usually insufficient to cover you fully. We will review the facts of your accident to determine if we can sue any party involved. Employers are often protected from lawsuits, but we know situations in which they are not shielded from liability.
Contact our work injury lawyers at Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers by calling (803) 451-4000 for a free case review today.
How to Recover Compensation for Work Injuries Sustained in Colleton, SC
If you were injured on the job, you can usually get coverage for the damages the accident causes, but how you go about it will depend on a few factors. Injured workers might not always be able to file a lawsuit right away. Workers’ Compensation covers most workers in Colleton. If you are injured on the job, you might have to go this route to cover your damages if your employer, a coworker, or you were at fault for the accident. Workers’ Compensation will pay you benefits no matter who caused the accident, as it is a type of no-fault insurance.
However, Workers’ Compensation also limits injured workers’ right to sue in exchange for quick benefits without having to prove negligence. You will also be unable to cover all your damages in a Workers’ Compensation claim, as it only covers medical losses and up to two-thirds of your lost wages. Worse, it provides no compensation for your non-economic damages, so you get nothing for your pain and suffering. You will need to file a lawsuit to get compensation for all the losses you suffered.
Fortunately, our work injury lawyers can help you gather evidence to prove who caused your injuries and the damages you should be paid. Unlike a Workers’ Compensation claim, we must prove the negligent party caused your accident and provide evidence, like medical records, substantiating your treatment and resulting damages. To file a lawsuit, we will either need to sue your employer or identify a third party who caused or contributed to your accident.
Determining Who to Sue for Work Injuries in Colleton, SC
Employers’ carelessness causes many work accidents in Colleton. Some do not make the work environment safe, while others do not provide proper equipment or training. While many of these incidents will be covered by Workers’ Compensation, there are a few ways of holding employers liable in a lawsuit.
First, you can usually file a lawsuit if an employer’s grossly negligent behavior causes the accident. Workers’ Compensation only applies to ordinary negligence. Your right to sue will not be limited if your employer is grossly negligent, like flagrantly violating OSHA standards.
You can also sue your “employer” if you are an independent contractor, like an Amazon Flex or Uber rideshare driver. Again, Workers’ Compensation is intended to cover traditional employees who are injured. It does not cover independent contractors, who must typically have their own commercial insurance. In these situations, You can file a lawsuit immediately.
Perhaps your employer does not carry Workers’ Compensation insurance when legally required to. Since you do not have an alternative method of compensation, you can file a lawsuit. If you are unsure whether your employer offers coverage, you can verify it online.
If a third party caused your work injuries, you have the option of filing a Workers’ Compensation claim, but you are permitted to file a lawsuit, which is the best way to cover the full spectrum of your damages. We can sue a product’s designer or manufacturer if a tool or piece of equipment caused your injuries. Perhaps you were injured by someone working at your job but contracted with another company, like a delivery truck driver. We could likely file a claim against both the driver and their employer. In other situations, you might need to file your lawsuit against an ordinary person, like a negligent driver who hits you during a delivery.
Damages You Can Claim in a Colleton, SC Work Injury Lawsuit
As mentioned, filing a lawsuit will cover all your damages, including economic and non-economic losses. Most of your damages will typically be in the form of medical bills. Work injuries tend to be some of the most catastrophic seen in personal injury claims. As such, victims might have exceedingly high medical costs, with even more costs projected for the future. Fortunately, you can recover your current medical bills and future projected medical costs.
Of course, you will be highly concerned with the income you are losing out on while injured. You can claim all the lost wages already sustained and future lost income in your lawsuit. Future lost income could be in the form of lost bonuses, raises, promotions, and impacts on your retirement. If your injuries prevent you from taking up your original position and work or force you to find a new but lower-paying job, the lost earning potential can be included in your claim.
Most importantly, a lawsuit allows you to recover “pain and suffering” damages. Many injured workers suffer a range of emotional and psychological effects after being injured at work. Feelings of humiliation and anxiety are common, especially if the injuries left scarring. You can also be compensated for the physical pain you now live with daily.
Call Our Experienced Work Injury Lawyer in Colleton, SC Today to Get Your Claim Started
For a free case analysis with our work injury attorneys, call Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers at (803) 451-4000.
