Our workers comp lawyers in Florence, SC answers if an employee can i be fired for filing a workers’ compensation claim in South Carolina.

Common workplace injuries occur frequently in the Pee Dee area and throughout South Carolina. Only a small percentage of these injuries result in death. Still, an injury of any type can be painful and throw a worker’s life into chaos.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that more than 45,000 non-fatal occupational injuries and illnesses occurred in South Carolina during the most recent year for which stats are available. The most dangerous industries were:

Industry Cases
Trade / Transportation / Utilities 10,500
Manufacturing 6,900
Health care / Social Assistance 5,800
Accommodation / Food Services 4,200
Construction 1,200

A workplace injury can result in high medical costs and force a worker to miss an extended period of work, resulting in a loss of needed income. This is why it is important to contact an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer if you have suffered an injury on the job.

Common Workplace Injuries in North Myrtle Beach

When you suffer an occupational injury or illness in North Myrtle Beach or elsewhere in South Carolina, you must report it to your employer and get medical treatment right away.

You should also protect your right to compensation by contacting an experienced workers’ compensation attorney at Jebaily Law Firm. We may be able to help you with filing a workers’ compensation claim and with overcoming any obstacles that arise in obtaining the benefits you deserve.

Call or click here today to schedule a free and confidential consultation about your legal rights and options after a workplace injury.

The following is a closer look at common types of injuries in North Myrtle Beach:

North Myrtle Beach Slips, Trips and Falls

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 600 deaths and 200,000 injuries occur in the U.S. each year due to falls on the same level or to a lower level.

These injuries often occur at construction sites when workers fall from roofs, ladders, or scaffolding.

These injuries may also occur because workers are exposed to a slick surface in the workplace such as a greasy or wet floor, hall, or stairway.

Electrical Incidents

More than 350 workers die each year in electrical incidents, and thousands more are injured, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports. These injuries can arise in construction, manufacturing, and a wide range of other fields of work.

An electrical incident can occur due to contact with power lines, lack of ground-fault protection, exposed wires, defective equipment, or failure to use tools or extension cords in a proper manner.

A worker may suffer electrocution, electrical burns, thermal burns, arc or flash burns. Internal injuries such as nerve damage and tissue destruction can also result from an electrical incident.

Manual Handling / Lifting

Lifting and moving heavy materials or equipment at a construction site, factory, warehouse, or loading dock can lead to musculoskeletal disorders, or injuries to the ligaments, muscles, tendons, nerves, and joints in the back, neck, and limbs. A worker can also be crushed by heavy materials. Those who work in the health care industry such as nurses, orderlies, and attendants have a high rate of handling/lifting injuries.

Sprains and Strains

OSHA defines a “sprain” as a ligament injury or the tissue that connects our bones. It occurs when the ligament is torn or stretched. A “strain,” on the other hand, involves muscle or tendon damage. A strain often occurs in the lower back from lifting heavy objects in the workplace or from repetitive motion.

Back Injuries

As OSHA reports, back injuries tend to result from “exceeding the capability of the muscles, tendons, discs or the cumulative effect “of several factors.” Those factors can include fatigue, poor posture, lifting mechanics, and repetitive lifting, twisting, or bending.

However, these work-related injuries can also occur due to slips and falls at work or falls from heights. Exposure to vibration while driving a tractor-trailer or other delivery truck can lead to a back injury as well.

Head and Brain Injuries

A fall, explosion, getting struck by an object, or a motor vehicle accident can cause a worker to suffer concussions or other forms of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can cause temporary or permanent disability.

The impact of the head or brain injury on one’s cognitive function – and, in turn, one’s ability to work – can be challenging to establish in a workers’ compensation claim. An attorney can work with medical experts and play a crucial role in your case.

Neck Injuries

A worker may suffer a neck injury if involved in a motor vehicle crash that results in whiplash. However, neck injuries may also be caused by a fall, contact with equipment, bad posture, or engaging in unusual motions.

Repetitive Strain Injuries

A repetitive trauma injury may result from engaging in repetitive tasks in construction, manufacturing, and other industries. While repetitive trauma injury is commonly associated with the back, it can also impact one’s knees, wrists, and other areas of the body. Carpal tunnel syndrome is an example of this type of injury that may be caused by repetitive work duties.

Exposure to Chemicals and Hazardous Materials

Many different types of jobs can expose you to dangerous chemicals that can cause burns upon contact or internal organ damage if they are inhaled. Exposure to asbestos – a material that was once widely used in South Carolina and across the country – has been linked to mesothelioma, an especially deadly form of cancer.

You may be eligible for benefits that can help you to get through a tough time in your life. You may also be eligible to file a third-party injury claim for additional compensation.

Work Injury Attorney in North Myrtle Beach:  Get Help Now

Call Jebaily Law Firm or reach us online today. For Over 50 Years, we have been helping injured workers in South Carolina to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. Our workers’ comp lawyer will provide a free, immediate review of your case and assist with your claim.

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