Medical Expenses

Workers’ Compensation Attorney Advising Spartanburg and Greenville Residents

The South Carolina workers’ compensation system is designed to help employees cope with any physical and some mental injuries that they suffer as a result of performing job-related duties. The trade-off for this guarantee of benefit payments is that the injured worker cannot bring a negligence claim against the employer, except in some narrow situations. Determining the amount of benefits that the injured employee is entitled to receive is a complicated process. One of the most important steps, however, is determining the amount of medical bills that the employee has incurred between the injury and the time his or her claim is filed, as well as projecting the future medical expenses that may be associated with the accident or illness. Experienced Greenville and Spartanburg workers’ compensation lawyer Patrick E. Knie has assisted many injured workers with bringing a claim and is prepared to do the same for you.

Establishing Your Right to Benefits for Medical Expenses

If you are hurt or get sick at work, you can file a workers’ compensation claim with your employer or its insurance carrier. Although sudden accidents like falls or equipment malfunctions are obvious examples, other types of events also qualify. For example, a worker who develops carpal tunnel syndrome as a result of performing repetitive motions for a long period of time is also entitled to benefits.

After you file your claim, the insurance carrier will assess the nature and extent of your injuries while also verifying that your condition is job-related. One of the first steps in the claim analysis process involves a medical examination by a treating physician of the employer’s insurance carrier’s choosing. If the employee is not satisfied with the opinion provided by this doctor, the employee is entitled to request a second examination by a different medical professional. Among the many items that the doctors will consider are two key factors: whether the injury is temporary or permanent, and whether the injury is partial or total. These factors will be used to assess the amount of benefits that the employee should receive, with a temporary and partial disability justifying a lesser amount than a permanent and total disability.

Once a claim for workers’ compensation benefits has been approved, the employee will receive regular benefit payments as well as reimbursement for a variety of expenses, such as the medical bills associated with the condition. These payments will cover expenses arising from the injury before the claim was filed, as well as any medical expenses that will be incurred on an ongoing basis while the employee recovers from or copes with the injury. As a result, it is critical to keep diligent records of your expenses and to make notes about your medical care to ensure that you receive the full reimbursement that you deserve. For example, you are entitled to receive compensation for your mileage to and from medical appointments, the pharmacy, and any therapy sessions.

Discuss Your Workers’ Compensation Claim With a Greenville or Spartanburg Lawyer

The workers’ compensation system is complex and can seem daunting to many injured employees, particularly if they are suffering from painful and debilitating conditions. Ensuring that you are treated fairly throughout the process and that your rights are honored is critical. Spartanburg and Greenville workers’ compensation attorney Patrick E. Knie has provided dedicated legal guidance to injured South Carolina workers in Laurens, Greenville, Union, Cherokee, and Spartanburg Counties. Call us at (864) 582-5118 or contact us online to set up a free consultation with a work injury attorney.