Charleston Workers Compensation Lawyers

Charleston Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system is designed to provide medical treatment to injured workers and to pay them if they miss work because of their injuries. Unfortunately, the system does not always work as well as it should, especially when injured workers try to represent themselves against deep-pocketed insurance companies.

At Mickle & Bass, four of our Charleston workers’ compensation lawyers previously served on the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission. Our former workers’ comp commissioners saw first-hand how employers and insurance companies fight aggressively to avoid paying valid claims. Now they work hard to help injured workers get the medical treatment and money benefits they need. Our team can help you obtain:

Payment for all medical care
Payment of weekly money benefits while you’re out of work
Compensation for loss, or loss of function, of specific body parts
Mileage payments for travel to and from doctor appointments
Vocational rehabilitation, if needed, to improve your ability to earn a living
Death benefits and funeral expenses for the work-related loss of a loved one

Schedule a free consultation with our dedicated Charleston workers’ compensation attorneys. We do not charge anything to get started on your claim, and we do not get paid unless and until we recover compensation for you.

Why Choose Our Charleston Workers’ Compensation Lawyers?

In South Carolina, workers’ comp claims aren’t decided by judges or juries. Disputes in workers’ comp claims involving money benefits and medical treatment are decided by workers’ comp commissioners who are appointed by the governor and approved by the S.C. Senate.

Four of the attorneys at Mickle & Bass are former workers’ comp commissioners. Among them, they’ve presided over thousands of workers’ comp claims. The clarity and thoroughness of the evidence in your workers’ compensation claim and, in many cases, its presentation at a hearing can make all the difference. Because Workers’ Compensation Commission members must remain neutral, they cannot correct mistakes or offer evidence on your behalf. That means you need a skilled workers’ comp attorney who understands the system and what the commissioners need to know.

We make sure your claim clearly documents the extent of your injury or illness, as well as how it impacts your ability to work and earn a living.
We can obtain second opinions concerning your medical status from doctors with no ties to the insurance company handling your case.

All too often people with legitimate claims appear before the Commission and lose, simply because they don’t know the law and they don’t know to present their case. You need the help of an experienced workers’ comp attorney. You need to call Mickle & Bass.

Don’t Let Insurers Block Your Workers’ Compensation Benefits

If you’ve been injured or become ill while on the job, you are entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Nevertheless, your employer and/or insurance company may contest your claim, even if it’s a valid claim.

Your employer and/or the insurance company may dispute your workers’ compensation claim by arguing that:

Your accident did not happen while you were on the job or acting within the scope of employment.
Your illness is not related to your job duties.
A pre-existing condition caused your current injury/illness.
You do not need the medical treatment you’re seeking.
You are well enough to return to work.

You don’t have to wait for your claim to be challenged or denied before getting legal counsel to protect your rights. Our Charleston workers’ compensation attorneys can work immediately after your injury to protect your rights. Schedule a free consultation now.

How to Protect Your Workers’ Comp Claim

There are several steps you should take to avoid giving your employer/insurance company a reason to challenge your workers’ comp claim. It is crucial for you to:

Follow the rules. You must meet all deadlines and other requirements of the Workers’ Compensation Commission to keep your claim active, including laws and regulations which govern workers’ comp in South Carolina.
Follow the doctor’s orders. The workers’ compensation insurance company will assign its own doctor to treat you. You must follow the treatment plan prescribed by the doctor. If the doctor reports that you are not serious about obtaining medical care, this may be used as evidence that you don’t need it. It is particularly important to attend all doctor appointments. It is easy to document missed appointments. Always call if you can’t make a doctor’s appointment.
Level with your doctor. The doctor will document your complaints file. Make sure he or she knows all about the pain, suffering, and limitations your injury has caused you. Don’t exaggerate your problems, but don’t downplay them, either. If you see your own doctor, be open with him or her, too.
Rely on your attorneys. Anything you say to your attorneys will be kept confidential, so it’s important to tell your attorney everything about your accident and your injuries, and having all the facts helps them help you. It’s also important for your attorney to know about any prior injuries, pre-existing medical conditions, or anything that may affect your health or medical status. Tell them about your pain, progress, and setbacks during your treatment and recovery. Open communication will help your attorneys build a stronger case for you.
Don’t count on the insurance company. The insurance company and its representatives are not on your side in a workers’ compensation case. Don’t sign anything sent to you by an insurance company representative or agree to give a recorded statement unless your attorney agrees to it. Be careful if someone calls with questions about your accident and/or your recovery. Insurers sometimes hire private investigators to spy on you. Tell your colleagues, family, friends, etc., not to help anyone asking questions about you.
Don’t “share” your injury! Don’t share information about your claim on social media. Comments, photos, and other posts to Facebook, Instagram, etc., could be used to show that you are not as badly injured as you claim. Social media can only hurt your workers’ comp claim; it will not help. Only your lawyers and doctors need details of your workplace injury.

Remember, the workers’ compensation insurer is looking for a reason to stop providing you benefits. If you are dealing with a serious work-related injury, don’t jeopardize your claim by trying to represent yourself.

Contact our Charleston workers’ compensation lawyers today to discuss your case.

Talk to Our Experienced S.C. Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

Contact our Charleston lawyers today for a free and confidential consultation. We pursue workers’ compensation cases on a contingency-fee basis. You will not owe us a fee unless and until we recover workers’ comp benefits for you.