After suffering an injury at work, South Carolina's workers' compensation laws can be difficult to navigate, especially while trying to juggle doctors' appointments, healing, and figuring out how you'll pay bills without a steady paycheck. As lawyers dedicated to the safety of Myrtle Beach's workforce, from hotel and restaurant staff to construction crews building along the Grand Strand, we're all too familiar with the hurdles you're facing. Our job is to guide you through the system and protect your legal rights. If you've suffered a work injury in the Myrtle Beach area, contact us today by calling (843) 427-2800.
3 Things You Need to Do After Being Injured at Work in Myrtle Beach
- Report your injury to your employer. Workers' compensation benefits are initiated through your employer's insurance, so your company's management needs to know about your injury. While it's best to report immediately, South Carolina law gives you 90 days to make the report. Miss that window, and you risk being denied benefits altogether.
- Seek appropriate medical care. For workers' comp to pay your medical bills, you generally need to see a doctor authorized by your employer or their insurance company. The exception is emergency treatment, if the situation is urgent, see any available provider first.
- Call a Myrtle Beach workers' compensation attorney. You then have two years from the date of the accident to formally file your claim with the Workers' Compensation Commission, per South Carolina law. An attorney can listen to the facts of your case, tell you honestly whether you even need to hire a lawyer, and walk you through what benefits you should expect.
You may be worried that reporting your injury could put your job at risk. Under SC Code § 41-1-80, it's illegal for your employer to fire or demote you for filing a workers' compensation claim in good faith.
Common Workplace Injuries in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach's economy runs on tourism, hospitality, and a steady wave of construction, and each brings its own injury risks:
- Hotel and resort staff face repeated lifting, slips on wet floors, and long hours on their feet, all of which take a toll over time, not just in a single accident.
- Restaurant and bar workers face burns, cuts, and slip-and-fall injuries during busy shifts.
- Construction workers face falls, equipment accidents, and injuries from the area's ongoing building boom. Learn more about protecting your rights as an injured construction worker in Myrtle Beach.
- Repetitive motion injuries, like carpal tunnel syndrome, build up gradually from tasks like housekeeping or food prep and are just as compensable as a sudden accident.
More serious workplace accidents can also result in traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries, both of which can mean months away from work and a real strain on you and your family while you recover.
When to Hire a Workers' Comp Lawyer in South Carolina
After being hurt at work, your employer's insurance company should cover medical bills and lost wages, but they don't always hold up their end of the deal. You'll likely benefit from at least speaking with a workers' comp attorney if:
- Your employer denies your claim and refuses to file your injury with the Workers' Compensation Commission.
- Your employer, or its insurance company, won't cover your medical bills or lost wages.
- You suffered a severe injury and will need future medical treatment.
- Your company is treating you unfairly after your injury, such as wrongfully terminating you or reducing your pay.
- A third party was involved. For example, if you were in a car accident while on the clock, you may be able to file a civil claim against the at-fault driver in addition to your workers' comp case.
If any of these sound familiar, please consider contacting our office for a free consultation.
How Much Is My SC Workers' Comp Case Worth?
There's no single number that applies to every claim. What you're owed depends on your average weekly wage, the severity of your injury, and whether you're left with any lasting impairment. For a full breakdown of how these factors combine, see How Much Is My Workers' Compensation Case Worth.
We believe full justice means being made whole, not just having your immediate medical bills paid. That's why it matters to have someone looking out for your future medical needs and lasting impairment, not just your next paycheck.
Common Questions About Myrtle Beach Workers' Comp Claims
Not always, some straightforward claims resolve fine without one. But if your employer is disputing your claim, denying treatment, or you're facing a lasting impairment, a lawyer helps make sure you get everything you're owed. It costs you nothing upfront to find out.
It depends on your wages, your injury's severity, and whether you're left with a lasting impairment. See How Much Is My Workers' Compensation Case Worth for a full explanation.
South Carolina is a no-fault state, meaning you're entitled to benefits regardless of who caused the accident, including your own mistake, as long as it happened on the job.
You may have two separate claims: a workers' comp claim through your employer, and a civil claim against the at-fault driver. These can require careful coordination, which is exactly where an attorney helps.
You have 90 days to report the injury to your employer, and two years from the date of the accident to formally file your claim with the Workers' Compensation Commission.
Set Up a Free Consultation with a Myrtle Beach Workers' Comp Lawyer
If you'd like help handling your on-the-job injury claim, contact our law firm today by calling (843) 427-2800. Our entire team is dedicated to protecting the rights of injured workers, and we're always available by phone and email to keep you informed on where your case stands.
Want to dig deeper into a specific question? Browse our full workers' compensation resource library for more.