When someone injures their back at work in South Carolina, our state's workers' compensation laws are supposed to protect the worker. Unfortunately though, the laws are often confusing, making the process frustrating—especially for someone in pain.
Compensation for a Back Injury at Work
As you may know, most employers have workers' compensation insurance the same way most drivers have auto insurance. It is your employer's insurance company that will be responsible for paying your medical bills. Likewise, the workers' compensation insurance company is suppose to pay you for time missed from work due to the back injury. If you are out of work, you should receive a check for 2/3s of your average weekly wage (i.e. 2/3s of your pre-tax earnings before the injury). In addition, you should receive compensation at the end of your case for any permanent injury, as well as the permanent injury’s effect on your ability to make a living. In some cases, you may also receive compensation for future medical needs.
Back injuries often affect other parts of the body. For instance, if you hurt your lower back you may be experiencing shooting pains or numbness in your legs. Similarly, if you hurt your neck, you might experience pain across your shoulder blades and into your arms. South Carolina workers' compensation laws require the insurance company not only to provide treatment for the original back injury, but for the other affected body parts as well.
Our Workers' Comp Lawyers Can Answer Your Questions
If you hurt your back at work in Columbia - or anywhere else in South Carolina - and you have questions about workers' compensation, you came to the right place. In addition to free consultations, I want to give you free copies of my books, which provide helpful information for injured workers.
You don't have to take on the insurance company alone. For help from an attorney dedicated to protecting the rights of injured workers, call me today at 803-790-2800 or contact us using the live chat box below.