WORKERS' COMPENSATION ATTORNEY IN HILTON HEAD

South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system covers most injuries and medical conditions that happen while someone is performing their job duties. That includes sudden accidents, such as slipping on a wet floor in a resort kitchen, or chronic conditions that develop over time, such as repetitive strain injuries.

Common workplace injuries in Hilton Head include:

• Back, neck, and shoulder injuries
• Slip-and-fall injuries in hospitality and food service
• Fractures from falling objects or equipment
• Burns and cuts from kitchen or maintenance work
• Exposure to harmful chemicals, mold, or cleaning agents
• Construction-related injuries from ladders, scaffolding, or tools
• Occupational illnesses like respiratory conditions

If your job duties contributed to the injury or illness, you may be eligible for workers’ comp.

South Carolina gives workers a limited window to report a job-related injury, and acting quickly is always in your best interest. The longer you wait, the more room the insurance company has to question your claim or argue that the injury wasn’t work-related. Once the injury is reported, you also have a set period to file for workers’ compensation benefits formally.

If your employer discouraged you from reporting the injury or failed to submit the claim, it’s important to speak with an attorney right away to protect your rights.

Workers’ compensation is meant to protect you while you recover. Depending on your injury, you may qualify for:

• Medical Treatment: Including doctor visits, surgery, physical therapy, medications, and necessary equipment. Employers choose the treating doctor, but you can request a change if needed.
• Lost Wage Compensation: If you can’t work, you may receive weekly payments amounting to roughly two-thirds of your average weekly wage.
• Temporary Disability Benefits: For workers who are unable to work for a limited period of time.
• Permanent Disability Benefits: Available when an injury causes long-term or permanent loss of function. These benefits depend on the severity of the disability and which body part is affected.
• Compensation for Disfigurement: Including scars, burns, or other lasting effects.
• Death Benefits: For families who lose a loved one in a fatal workplace accident.

Workers’ compensation does not pay for pain and suffering, which is why it’s critical to maximize the wage and medical benefits available.

South Carolina recognizes both temporary and permanent disability categories:

• Temporary total disability (TTD): You can’t work at all for now, but you are expected to recover.
• Temporary partial disability (TPD): You can’t do your full job duties, but you can work in a limited capacity.
• Permanent partial disability (PPD): You’ve recovered as much as possible, but you’ve lost some ability to use part of your body.
• Permanent total disability (PTD): Your injury prevents you from returning to any type of gainful employment.

A settlement for permanent disability depends on medical impairment ratings, wage history, and future limitations.

Yes, at least initially. South Carolina allows the employer or insurance carrier to choose your treating physician. But if that doctor minimizes your injury, rushes your return to work, or ignores your symptoms, we can help you get a second opinion, challenge the medical findings, or request an authorized change of doctor.

Independent medical exams (IMEs) are also common in contested claims. These exams can dramatically affect your case, so it’s crucial to be prepared.

No. South Carolina law prohibits employers from firing, demoting, or punishing employees for filing a workers’ compensation claim. Retaliation cases are serious, and if you’ve experienced any pushback, document everything and contact an attorney right away.

Most South Carolina employers are legally required to carry workers’ compensation coverage. If your employer failed to secure insurance, you may still have options, including filing a claim through the state’s Uninsured Employers’ Fund or pursuing legal action directly against the employer.

Workers’ compensation covers not only sudden injuries but also protects workers who develop chronic illnesses due to job-related exposure. This includes:

• Lung damage from long-term chemical exposure
• Severe allergic reactions from cleaning agents or mold
• Illness from repeated toxic exposure
• Hearing loss from loud machinery

Occupational disease claims are often denied at first because the connection between the illness and the job isn’t obvious. That’s where medical evidence and expert opinions become essential.

Denials happen more often than they should. You may be denied for reasons like:

• Disputes about whether the injury is work-related
• Lack of medical documentation
• Missed deadlines
• Claims that the injury was pre-existing
• Employer statements that contradict your version of events

A denial is not the end. South Carolina workers have the right to appeal their cases.

If your South Carolina workers’ compensation claim is denied, you still have options to challenge the decision. The appeals process may include:

• A hearing before a Workers’ Compensation Commissioner: Comparable to a trial, where evidence is presented, witnesses may testify, and the insurance company’s arguments can be challenged.
• A review by a panel of Commissioners: You can request this if you disagree with the initial hearing decision.
• An appeal to the South Carolina Court of Appeals focuses on whether the Commissioner committed legal or procedural errors.

Throughout each stage, strong documentation, medical records, and expert testimony can make a major difference. Our team handles every step to help injured workers protect their rights and pursue the benefits they’re owed.

Some cases resolve within a few months. Others take longer, especially when:

• The injury is severe
• The insurance company disputes the medical evidence
• Independent medical exams contradict each other
• Wage or disability settlements are contested

Many cases settle once the worker reaches “maximum medical improvement,” the point at which a doctor believes no further recovery is expected.

Some workers eventually qualify for both systems. SSDI benefits may reduce your workers’ compensation payment, but together they can provide more financial stability. Coordinating these benefits is crucial to prevent errors that could compromise your long-term support.

We assist clients with both types of claims to ensure the benefits work together, not against each other.

Workers’ compensation settlements in South Carolina consider:

• The body part injured
• The medical impairment rating
• Lost earning capacity
• Whether the injury causes permanent limitations
• Future medical needs

Insurance companies often attempt to undervalue permanent impairment or return workers to their jobs too soon. An attorney ensures your settlement reflects the full long-term impact of your injury.

When you’re hurt and your employer or the insurance company isn’t listening, you need a law firm that won’t back down. Morgan & Morgan has the resources, experience, and legal expertise to stand up to powerful companies and fight for the benefits workers are entitled to.

We help with:

• Filing claims
• Challenging denials
• Gathering medical evidence
• Preparing for hearings
• Negotiating settlements
• Fighting employer retaliation
• Ensuring long-term disability support

You don’t pay anything up front. We only get paid if you win, and our fee is deducted from the compensation you secure, not from your own pocket.

If a workplace injury has disrupted your life, you don’t have to go through the process alone. Morgan & Morgan has helped workers across South Carolina secure medical care, wage replacement, and permanent disability benefits. Fill out our free case evaluation form today, and let us fight for the compensation you deserve.