Have you suffered an overexertion injury or a repetitive strain injury at work in Florence, SC? If so, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to cover your medical expenses and replace part of your lost wages if the injury keeps you off work.
South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system is complicated, so you should not try to manage your claim on your own. Instead, get help from an overexertion injury lawyer from Jebaily Law Firm. Let us handle every aspect of your overexertion injury claim, so all you will have to do is focus on getting better.
Contact our office or reach out to us online today to schedule a complimentary consultation with an experienced workplace injury lawyer at our firm.
What to Do After Suffering an Overexertion Injury at Work in Florence, SC
The first action you should take after suffering any kind of injury at work is to report it to your supervisor or employer. If your injury requires that you go to the emergency room for medical treatment, do so. Be sure to tell everyone who treats you that your injury was work-related.
In South Carolina, the employer has the right to choose the treating doctor for the injured worker. Even if the emergency room refers you to another doctor for follow-up care, do not assume that such care has been approved. Check with your employer first. Ask them for a list of approved providers if they will not approve the emergency room’s choice of follow-up physician.
Take your physician’s instructions seriously. Do everything they recommend.
Contact an experienced South Carolina workers’ compensation attorney from Jebaily Law Firm as soon as possible. Our attorneys know how to pursue the maximum benefits you are entitled to, which can cover all related medical care and replace part of your lost wages.
Can You File Workers’ Compensation for an Overexertion Injury in South Carolina?
Yes. In nearly all cases, when you sustain an injury at work while performing your job duties, you can file a workers’ compensation claim. The exceptions are if you were under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances, or if you intentionally harmed or tried to harm yourself or someone else.
Report your injury to your employer immediately. Your employer then has 10 days to report your injury to the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission.
When Overexertion Injuries Lead to Long-Term or Permanent Disabilities
Overexertion injuries can range from mild to severe. A mild case may heal with just time off work, medication, and physical therapy. But what happens if an overexertion or repetitive stress injury results in a long-term impairment or a permanent disability?
Even with competent medical care, severe overexertion injuries sometimes never heal fully. The result could be a reduced range of motion or strength. In extreme cases, an injured worker may be unable to use one part of their body at all, or they may be unable to do any type of work.
In cases of partial impairment, South Carolina workers’ compensation laws allow payment of permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits. The value of PPD benefits is determined using a schedule of losses found in the statute. The number of weeks that apply to the injured body part is multiplied by the percentage of loss of use of the body part, multiplied by the injured worker’s average weekly wage from before their injury. The product of these calculations is the amount the worker is entitled to.
Workers’ compensation laws in South Carolina allow for the payment of permanent total disability (PTD) benefits in situations where a work injury leaves a worker completely unable to perform gainful employment. The benefits are paid at the TTD rate for 500 weeks. In certain cases, permanent disability benefits can last for the worker’s lifetime.
Common Causes of Overexertion Injuries in Florence Jobs
Repetitive stress and overexertion injuries can affect people in nearly any industry. Whether you are in healthcare, retail, warehousing, or work in an office, your job could put you at risk of an overexertion injury from actions like these:
- Lifting heavy items – Large boxes, tools, or equipment can be too heavy for one person to lift, and a worker can injure their back, arms, and shoulders, particularly if they use poor form.
- Repeating motions over long periods – Stocking shelves, performing the same task on an assembly line, scanning inventory, or shifting boxes nonstop every day puts wear on muscles and joints.
- Handling patients in healthcare settings – Healthcare workers who regularly move or reposition patients might strain themselves if they lift from an awkward position or if a patient’s weight shifts unpredictably.
- Pushing or pulling heavy loads – Manually moving heavy items across uneven floors or in tight spaces can overload back and leg muscles.
- Using inappropriate equipment – Tools should be used according to their purpose and design. A worker could suffer an overexertion injury if they are forced to use a tool that is not right for the task at hand.
- Working long shifts with few breaks – Long hours spent on the same task put strain on certain body parts and reduce a worker’s ability to use proper form.
How Our Florence Overexertion Injury Attorneys Build Strong Claims
Our Florence overexertion injury attorneys can protect your rights and pursue the benefits you deserve by:
- Gathering detailed medical records to show how the injury happened
- Interviewing co-workers who witnessed the work conditions or tasks
- Contacting your treating doctors for thorough explanations about how the injury impacts you permanently
- Challenging attempts to force you back to work before you have healed sufficiently
- Negotiating for an appropriate settlement from the workers’ compensation insurance company
- Representing you during hearings if you need to appeal an undervalued or denied claim
The experienced workers’ compensation lawyers of Jebaily Law Firm know how to handle and win even the toughest overexertion cases. Let us put our more than 50 years of experience and determination to work for you.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Florence Overexertion Injury Lawyer
Workplace overexertion injuries are serious. Do not face the aftermath alone. Instead, reach out to Jebaily Law Firm to talk with a lawyer who knows South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system.
Your initial consultation is free, and we will not charge any legal fees unless we recover benefits for you in a workers’ comp claim or personal injury claim.
Call us today or fill out our contact form to get started with a free consultation with a Florence workers’ compensation lawyer at our firm.
