Myrtle Beach is quickly growing, which means there is a lot of construction in and around the Grand Strand. New buildings are popping up and highway expansion projects are underway along U.S. 501. Unfortunately, with an increase in construction, comes an increase in on-the-job work injuries for construction workers. If you have suffered a construction site injury, you have a right to workers’ compensation benefits, and if another person or business caused your injury, you may be able to file a third party claim as well. Contact our Myrtle Beach workers compensation lawyers to see how we can help ensure you are treated fairly and receive a full, fair recovery.
Common Construction Incidents that Lead to Injury
Construction sites are dangerous places with heavy machinery and constantly moving parts. When construction workers are harmed on site, the injuries are often severe or even fatal. In fact, 20 percent of work-related deaths occur within the construction industry. The most common causes of construction site injuries include:- Falls from ladders, scaffolding, and roofs
- Electrocution
- Crushing/Pinching injuries from construction equipment
- Machinery accidents (cars, trucks, forklifts, and other heavy equipment, etc.)
- Malfunctioning tools
- Car accidents in road construction zones
- Head Injury/Traumatic Brain Injury
- Burns
- Broken/crushed bones
- Back and spine injuries
- Death
What to Do After a Construction Injury in Myrtle Beach
If you’ve been hurt on the job in Myrtle Beach, there are a few steps you should follow to help ensure your workers’ compensation claim proceeds smoothly: 1.Report the injury to your supervisor. This will enable them to create an incident report and will provide evidence that you reported your injury within the required timeframe. In South Carolina, you must report all injuries within 90 days. 2.Seek medical treatment for your injuries. Your employer may want you to visit a company-approved doctor. It is best to follow their recommendation. If you do not agree with the doctor’s assessment, you can request a second opinion. 3.Keep copies of everything. It’s important to keep record of all correspondence and medical treatment you receive after being hurt. This may include emails, medical bills, prescriptions, and more. All of this will be factored in when determining your final workers’ compensation settlement. 4.Contact a workplace injury lawyer. Some construction injuries don’t require a workers’ compensation attorney, but some certainly do. If you’ve been hurt on the job, it never hurts to seek a free consultation from a qualified workers’ comp lawyer in Myrtle Beach. Our attorneys can help you understand what kind of outcome you should expect from your case and whether you’d benefit from working with a lawyer or handling it on your own. Workers’ Compensation Benefits Construction Workers Should Receive After an Injury
In South Carolina, injured workers are entitled to three main benefits: 1.Medical Care 2.Weekly workers’ compensation checks (or payment for time missed due to your injury) 3.Compensation for permanent disability which may come in the form of a workers’ compensation settlement Your employer should have workers compensation insurance to ensure you receive these benefits. If your employer is refusing medical treatment or pay, contact our Myrtle Beach office for a free consultation to see how we can help.Compensation Available in a Third-Party Civil Case for Construction Injuries
If the actions of someone other than your employer, such as the driver of a car or a third-party contractor, you may be able file a third-party civil claim to recover compensation for your damages. Damages in third party claims may include:- Medical expenses
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Pain
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death benefits
- Punitive damages