Partial Disability

Workers’ Compensation Attorney Serving Spartanburg and Greenville

Under the workers’ compensation system, employees who suffer on-the-job accidents or illnesses may receive benefits to compensate them for their injuries and inability to work. This principle may seem straightforward, but the benefits application process is notorious for being complex, technical, and often stressful. One of the most critical considerations for any workers’ compensation benefits claim is determining the nature and scope of the employee’s injury. This factor will influence not only the amount of benefits that are received but also the duration of the payments. Greenville and Spartanburg workers’ compensation lawyer Patrick E. Knie has provided injured employees throughout South Carolina with experienced legal guidance regarding the benefits system.

Qualifying for Partial Disability Benefits

To receive workers’ compensation benefits, an employee must establish that he or she has suffered a job-related accident or illness. The harm may arise from a sudden accident or event, or it may be a condition that develops due to repetitive actions over an extended period of time. Ultimately, the applicant must establish that he or she is medically disabled. Under the workers’ compensation system, injuries may be physical, psychological, or psychiatric.

Regardless of the nature of the injury, it is critical that you receive prompt medical attention if you believe that you have suffered harm while on the job. Your medical records and ability to establish the nature and extent of your injury will be critical to the success of your claim for benefits. After an accident, an injured worker will be referred to a physician provided by the employer’s insurer. If the worker and his or her attorney are dissatisfied with this doctor’s opinion, they have the right to ask for a second opinion. In some cases, the two opinions will diverge, and when this happens the workers’ compensation commissioner can ask a third doctor to serve as a “tiebreaker” opinion. This doctor is known as an independent medical examiner.

In addition to determining whether your injury is temporary or permanent, the independent medical examiner will assess whether the injury is partial or total. A partial disability is any condition that prevents you from working at full physical capacity. A total disability, on the other hand, is one that prevents the applicant from performing any work whatsoever due to his or her disability.

Whether your disability is deemed total or partial may have major implications for your claim. The financial assistance available to partial disability sufferers typically includes payments for any lost wages occurring as a result of the disability. An employee’s benefits may consist of a relatively modest amount if it is determined that he or she can continue working and perform other tasks within the scope of his or her remaining physical abilities. If you are determined to have a total disability, however, you may receive a larger amount of compensation for your lost wages in addition to other compensation like reasonable medical expenses.

Spartanburg and Greenville Lawyer for Workers’ Compensation Claimants

If you have been injured on the job, you may be entitled to benefits. Spartanburg and Greenville workers’ compensation attorney Patrick E. Knie has substantial experience handling these claims and knows what it takes to build a persuasive case. The workers’ compensation process can be difficult and intimidating, but there is no need to handle it alone. Proudly serving injured individuals throughout Greenville, Spartanburg, Union, Laurens, and Cherokee Counties, as well as elsewhere in South Carolina, work injury lawyer Patrick E. Knie provides a free consultation to help you learn about your options and how we may be able to help you. Call us now at (864) 582-5118 or contact us online to set up your appointment.