DO I NEED A FORT MILL WORKERS COMPENSATION LAWYER?

Maybe. But not in every case. Rather, it depends. If your injury is minor, you probably don’t need our representation. Instead, a free consultation with Mr. Reeves is probably enough. In addition, we explain what to expect in our South Carolina Workers Compensation eBook. However, for serious Fort Mill workers compensation injury cases (broken bones, surgery, prosthetic device), then you do need us. And we are here for you. Call now and let’s start your road to recovery.

SO WHY CONSIDER OUR FIRM?

While many lawyers may market for Fort Mill workers compensation cases, relatively few have any significant experience. Because workers compensation laws appear simple, lawyers occasionally take a case and “wing it.” However, this is dangerous, and you can lose big. While a defense lawyer, many plaintiff’s lawyers were not prepared and made critical mistakes. In fact, most had never even read Title 42. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you have no business taking Fort Mill workers compensation cases. There is too much on the line, and people are counting on you.

• 27 years experience handling South Carolina workers’ compensation claims
• Former South Carolina workers’ compensation insurance defense lawyer
• Former Registered Nurse (RN) with experience in caring for seriously injured patients
• Over 20 years experience representing injured workers and their families
• Reduced 25% attorney fee if case settled – 1/3 attorney fee if have to request hearing
• Personally available when you need us by mobile phone or direct email

So why consider hiring our firm? First of all, experience counts here, and Mr. Reeves has handled workers compensation claims for over 27 years. Furthermore, he knows both sides. For the first seven (7) years of his career, Mr. Reeves represented employers and insurance carriers. But since 1996, he has taken that experience to aggressively fight for his clients injured at work. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Mr. Reeves was a Registered Nurse (RN). Consequently, he understands complex injury cases. And finally, Mr. Reeves has been a member of the South Carolina Workers Compensation Educational Association since 1989.

FORT MILL WORKERS COMPENSATION BENEFITS

MEDICAL TREATMENT

First of all, you get medical treatment from authorized providers paid by the employer. And there are no copays or deductibles. But your employer chooses the doctor. While you can get your own medical treatment, it is unauthorized care and paid by you.

WEEKLY BENEFITS

Next, you get lost time pay (temporary total disability) if written out of work by an authorized treating physician. Or if you placed on work restrictions that your employer cannot accommodate. However, your weekly “compensation rate” is only two-thirds of your “average weekly wage.” Because they are disability payments, workers comp weekly checks are not income and are tax-free. But how can this be right. After all, most workers do not pay a third in taxes. And it gets worse for high wage earners given the statutory maximum compensation rate. Better call us to find out what to do.

PERMANENT PARTIAL DISABILITY

After your medical treatment ends and you return to work, the final benefit is “permanent disability.” Here, your payment is based on a percentage of impairment assigned to the injured body part. However, you get nothing for “pain and suffering.” While this is unfair to the injured employee, employers complain they still have to pay claims even though they did nothing wrong. And in many cases, the worker actually cause the accident but still gets benefits. Just like weekly checks, disability awards are also tax-free. Hooray.

HOW WE HANDLE FORT MILL WORKERS COMPENSATION CASES

First, we sit down with you and your family and thoroughly review your case. And you meet personally with Mr. Reeves, not a paralegal or intake person. Because this initial meeting is critical, we usually meet for at least an hour depending on your situation. However, we answer your questions and address your concerns no matter how long it takes. Then, we make an individual action plan for your case. Finally, we explain what to expect as you go through the process. Don’t worry. We’ve got you. After all, this is our job.

If your case is accepted, we make sure you get paid at the correct compensation rate. In addition, we see that you receive all necessary medical treatment. Then, we wait to see how you heal. No matter how seriously injured, everything depends on how you end up. Once released at “maximum medical improvement,” the doctor assigns impairment ratings and work restrictions. At that point, we look at what your case is worth and try to settle. If we cannot settle, we go to a hearing and a Commissioner decides.

WHAT IS YOUR FORT MILL WORKERS COMPENSATION CASE WORTH?

Once we review all medical records, we sit down in the office and go over your case. Because you need information to make good decisions, this meeting is critical. Case value begins with your compensation rate and body part injured. In addition, the Commission also considers your age, education, work history, and future care needs. Then, based on all factors, you get a disability award. During settlement negotiations, you control the outcome. However, at a hearing, the Commissioner decides. Consequently, we tell you whether we think you will get more in settlement or at a hearing. This is where experience really counts.

After you know your options, you can decide what is best for you and your family. We guide you through the process and show you options. But you make all decisions and remain in charge of your case. Don’t worry. We’re right there beside you. And we’ve got your back.

BEFORE THERE WAS WORKERS COMPENSATION

Before workers compensation, injured employees sued their employer in regular court. And they had to prove the company did something to cause their injury to win. Yet many accidents were the fault of the injured worker. Consequently, they often lost their case, and families suffered. As a result, legislatures passed laws where fault did not matter. However, they also limited the benefits an injured worker could recover. So you still get something even if you cause your own accident. But you do not get everything to make you whole. Almost everything but not quite everything.

LIMITATIONS OF FORT MILL WORKERS COMPENSATION

While fault does not usually matter, workers compensation does not make you whole. Rather, you only get a portion of what you lose. We explain further. In regular accident cases, you get lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. But in a workers compensation claim, you get medical treatment, part of lost wages, and disability. However, you get nothing for pain and suffering. Zero.

*Membership in professional legal organizations shows our commitment to Fort Mill workers compensation excellence.