Jasper, SC Work Injury Lawyer

Injuries at work are nothing new. Every year, employees working in all kinds of environments are hurt by the dangerous conditions of their workplace. While we often associate work injuries with dangerous jobs, even office jobs see their fair share of accidents. If you are hurt, you may need financial compensation to help you pay for the numerous expenses that come with physical injuries, and our lawyers are here to help.

You might file a personal injury lawsuit for your work accident and injuries. First, we must identify the people responsible, which could include employers, coworkers, and even third parties. Damages can be high, depending on the severity of your injuries, the need for medical care, and the time you spend out of work recovering. Talk to our team if you are unsure whether you experienced a work injury. A few examples of work injuries come from factors like unsafe stairs, elevator accidents, and machinery accidents. It is best to speak to a lawyer soon, as certain work accidents might fall under Workers’ Compensation laws.

For a private case evaluation at no cost to you, call our work injury lawyers at Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers at (803) 451-4000.

People Responsible for Work Injuries in Jasper, SC

You might have some people in mind who you believe should be held responsible, but there could be others. It is not unusual for more than one person to somehow contribute to an accident. Once our work injury attorneys know who should be held liable, we can begin preparing your case to get you fair financial compensation.

Employers are often somehow responsible for causing the accident. While employers might not necessarily be directly involved with the accident – they might not even be present when it occurs – they are responsible for keeping the overall work environment safe. Depending on how the accident happened, your employer might be held liable if they failed to maintain the safety and integrity of your environment.

We should also examine your coworkers for responsibility. In many jobs, coworkers rely on each other and must work together. In some cases, the failure of a coworker might not just make it harder to do your job, but it might also make it more dangerous. For example, if you work in manufacturing, you might be injured if a coworker in charge of maintenance fails to inspect your machine.

Third parties might also be responsible. For example, construction workers injured by defective power tools might sue the manufacturer of the defective tools for damages. Even though the manufacturer is largely unconnected with their job, they can still be held liable for providing faulty tools.

Whomever you sue, we must make sure to file your case before the statute of limitations expires. According to S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530(5), personal injury plaintiffs in Jasper have only three years to file their claims in court. The time starts counting down the day you are injured, so getting started as soon as possible is best.

Potential Damages in Jasper, SC Work Injury Cases

Damages in injury cases are generally classified as economic or non-economic. Plaintiffs often claim a combination of damages from both categories, which tend to be unique to each plaintiff’s injuries and overall circumstances.

Economic damages often revolve around the costs of your injuries, although numerous other costs can be claimed. Hospital bills may be extremely expensive, even if your injuries are not severe and you are expected to recover fully. A single emergency room visit can cost hundreds, if not thousands. Your medical costs might be extremely high if you need more extensive care (e.g., surgery, long-term hospital stays, physical therapy).

If you lost any personal property in the accident, discuss it with your attorney. For example, if you own your own tools and they were damaged in the accident, you may claim the cost of replacing them.

If your injuries prevent you from returning to work, you should claim the value of your lost income. This might be a very large sum, depending on how long you are out of work. If you can never return to work because of how badly you were hurt, discuss claiming the value of lost future earnings with your lawyer.

Non-economic are not necessarily rooted in money. Instead, these damages are related to personal and subjective experiences directly related to the accident and your injuries. For example, you can claim damages for the intense pain of your injuries and the mental and emotional distress from the accident. If the accident has somehow damaged your career prospects, you might also claim humiliation and damage to your professional reputation.

Examples of Work Injuries You Might Sue for in Jasper, SC

Accidents at work tend to look different in different jobs. For example, an accident in a factory with lots of heavy machinery might be very different from an accident in an office or a restaurant. Talk to our team about where you work and your job requirements, and we will help you determine how your accident happened. Below are a few examples of common work accidents that might apply to your case.

Many accidents stem from premises liability issues. Maybe the stairs in your office were uneven and unsafe. Maybe the elevator was improperly maintained and fell, injuring you and others. Maybe your boss had the floors waxed but failed to warn you and other workers about the slick floor.

Machinery and equipment malfunctions are also possible and tend to be severe. These kinds of accidents tend to come up in industrial professions and can be very debilitating. Another possibility is that you were exposed to some hazardous material. This might be because you work with hazardous materials as part of your job. It might instead be because your boss did not keep the workplace clean, and you were exposed to something like toxic mold.

Alternative Solutions to a Work Injury Case in Jasper, SC

Sometimes, people hurt at work can solve their problems without a personal injury lawsuit. If your case falls under Workers’ Compensation laws, you might be able to file a claim and get compensation through insurance carried by your employer. If you are unsure whether you are eligible for or even covered by Workers’ Compensation, you should speak to our attorneys.

Under S.C. Code Ann. § 42-1-540, Workers’ Compensation precludes all other legal remedies, including personal injury lawsuits. If you are covered by Workers’ Compensation, you may not also sue your employer. This is an important detail to nail down before starting any legal action. However, if Workers’ Compensation does not apply to your case or your employer does not carry the necessary insurance, you may file a personal injury case.

Get Help Now From Our Jasper, SC Work Injury Attorneys

For an initial confidential case review for free, call our work injury attorneys at Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers at (803) 451-4000.

$6 Million

The Plaintiff was injured as a result of a failing component of a commercial motor vehicle that fell from the vehicle into the roadway. The Plaintiff brought claims against the owner and operator of the tractor trailer as well as the manufacturer of the vehicle.

$4.1 Million

The Plaintiff was injured as a result of a refrigeration system that malfunctioned, spraying ammonia gas into the Plaintiff's face. As a result of this event, the Plaintiff sustained significant vision loss. The Plaintiff brought claims against his employer and the manufacturer of this system.

$2 Million

The Plaintiff was injured while riding his motorcycle when he collided with another vehicle. This event occurred in the city of Columbia and the Plaintiff sustained significant bodily injury resulting in extensive medical expenses and permanent injury.

$1.8 Million

The Plaintiff was injured when he was rear-ended by a tractor trailer on Interstate 20. The Plaintiff brought claims against the owner and driver of the tractor trailer for his injuries relate to his lower back.

$1.5 Million

The Plaintiff sustained significant injury when she was attacked by a dog while performing repairs on a rental property. The Plaintiff was at the rental property as part of her employment with a rental management agency. She was attacked by the animal and sustained permanent nerve damage in her legs.

$1.3 Million

The Plaintiff was killed as a result of a collision with a logging truck that had been improperly loaded by a timber harvester. The proceeds of the settlement were funded by both the timber harvester and the owner of the logging truck.

$1.5 Million

The Plaintiff underwent surgery to her neck as a result of injuries sustained when she was struck on the head by a piece of loading equipment at her job. The Plaintiff was employed by a national retailer and was engaged in stocking shelves when the piece of equipment failed. After settling her workers' compensation claim, the Plaintiff brought a claim against the manufacturer of this equipment.

$1.1 Million

The Plaintiff brought a claim against a local medical facility for a false positive HIV reading. As a result of this false positive, the Plaintiff lived for 4½ years believing that she had the virus which leads to what she feared was an eventual AIDS diagnosis.