If hurt at work, Attorney Robert J. Reeves stands ready to protect your rights and get what you deserve. Furthermore, he is a seasoned Rock Hill SC workers compensation attorney with over 27 years WC experience. Before you decide on a law firm, download our eBook “South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law – What to Do If Hurt at Work” Mr. Reeves personally wrote this book and explains how the process works. For additional questions, call Mr. Reeves directly at 803-554-4157 or email .

WHY YOU SHOULD HIRE OUR FIRM?

• 27 years workers compensation experience
• Former SC workers compensation insurance defense lawyer
• Former Registered Nurse (RN)
• Member, South Carolina Workers Compensation Educational Association
• Member, National Trial Lawyers Top 100 for SC

During his career, Mr. Reeves has helped literally thousands of families with serious personal injury claims. Because he is a former Intensive Care Registered Nurse (RN), he understands complex injury cases. As a result, he appreciates what you are going through. Furthermore, as a former insurance defense attorney, Mr. Reeves knows how to value claims and what defenses to anticipate. But no matter what you are facing, Mr. Reeves stands ready to fight for you and your family.

WHAT WORKERS COMPENSATION BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE

If injured in a Rock Hill SC workers compensation accident, you get three basic benefits:

MEDICAL TREATMENT

While recovering from your injuries, you get all necessary medical treatment with no copay or deductibles. However, your employer or their insurance company chooses the doctor. After all, they are paying for it. Of course, you can seek other care but at your expense.

LOST TIME BENEFITS

While written out of work, you receive a weekly compensation check equal to 2/3 of your average weekly wage. However, these payments are limited to a maximum compensation rate, but benefits are tax free. As a result, you do not report them on your tax returns. Hopefully, this tax free status closes the gap between gross and net wages lost. Otherwise, you would lose the full third by law.

PERMANENT PARTIAL IMPAIRMENT

Consequently, at the end of treatment, you can receive a percentage of disability to the injured body part. In addition to the doctor’s rating, the Commission considers your age, education, work history, and future care needs. However, for life changing injuries, you can seek permanent and total disability. Lastly, there is lifetime coverage for implanted hardware or prosthetic devices.

HOW WE HANDLE WORKERS COMP CLAIMS

First, we honor your trust and pledge to do our best to protect you and your family. So how do we do that? The process begins by sitting down and listening to what happened to you at work. After all, little facts are important and can make a big difference. In addition, you meet with Mr. Reeves personally. While paralegals assist in your case, you are hiring a lawyer to represent you. Next, we answer your questions and address your concerns. Then, once we have all the facts, we develop an individual strategy specifically for your case. Finally, after your medical treatment is finished, we negotiate a settlement or take your case to trial. However, from start to finish, you are in charge and make all decisions. While we guide you and offer recommendations, you decide what is best for your situation. We work for you.

ROCK HILL OFFICE LOCATION

While our primary office is in Fort Mill, we meet clients by appointment in Rock Hill at 2424 Indian Hook Road. We have included the photograph to the right so that you can find us more easily. Of course, in serious injury cases, we can come to the hospital or even your home. Whatever is most convenient for you and your family. Because you need to focus on healing, we focus on your Rock Hill SC workers compensation case. After all, that’s why we are here.

AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS ON THE JOB

Thankfully, people working in offices or other “light jobs” are rarely seriously injured. Although they may strain their backs lifting a file box, fewer injuries require surgery or result in permanent harm. Now the most significant risk of serious injury is an automobile or truck accident while at work. While workers compensation for truck drivers is obvious, other employees are also covered if “on the job.” Because the rules are confusing, we explain briefly below. However, you should call us now for more information just to make sure you are protected.

“GOING TO” OR “COMING FROM” WORK

Generally, while going to or coming from work is not covered under Rock Hill SC workers compensation rules. However, there are several exceptions. For example, if asked to come to work early or deliver something, you are now “on the job.” Similarly, if instructed to go somewhere, such employer request or directive is a “special errand” and covered under law. Other common scenarios are any type of “company function” like a party or meeting. If expected there, you are covered under workers compensation. However, each situation is different. Furthermore, little details often make a big difference in outcome. That’s why it is so important to explore your options.

CONSTRUCTION CASES IN ROCK HILL SC WORKERS COMPENSATION

Like industrial plant accidents, construction cases usually involve serious permanent injury or worse. For example, common injuries include lower backs, shoulders, and knees while working with large, heavy materials. In addition, accidents happen quickly with heavy machinery in motion and dangerous tools in use. Due to the ever present danger, bad things can happen with permanent consequences. So be careful and watch out for each other.

BACK AND NECK INJURY

By far, back and neck injuries are the most common cases we handle. As we get older, our spine (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar) becomes weaker and more prone to injury. In addition, what we used to lift easily gets harder, and we strain our backs. While doctors refer to this as “degenerative changes,” we call it “old age.” Consequently, neck and back injuries include everything from mild strains to disk bulging or even disk herniation. Fortunately, strains usually just require pain medication and perhaps some physical therapy. After some time, strains usually resolve with no permanent consequences. However, a bulging or herniated disk is more serious and can require surgery to correct. And if more than one disk is involved, a fusion procedure with implanted hardware or artificial disk replacement.

SHOULDER AND KNEE INJURY

While back injuries are the most common, we also help with shoulder and knee cases. Predictably, these injuries result from lifting too much or improperly. Because shoulders and knees are mostly cartilage, tendons tear more easily as we age. As a result, lifting improperly or carrying too much weight cause rotator cuff tears and meniscus injuries. Consequently, surgery is usually necessary to repair the damage, and there is some degree of permanent impairment. In addition, you are more susceptible to new injury given the prior damage. Fortunately, either a new injury or aggravation of a prior injury is the same. Rather, both types of injuries are compensable under SC workers compensation law.

PERMANENT AND TOTAL DISABILITY

As reflected in the name, these catastrophic claims are the most serious. Typically, it starts with a serious back injury not corrected by surgery. Other cases involve medical treatment complications that make an initial injury worse. While some cases start off badly, other cases end badly. Consequently, we prepare every situation for “worse case scenario.” Certainly, we hope for the best but are always ready for anything.

To qualify for total disability, you must injure at least two (2) body parts. In addition, you must show vocational evidence that you can no longer work. Because these cases are legally and medically complex, experience handling Rock Hill SC workers compensation cases really counts here. While weekly benefits are capped at 500 weeks, medical benefits continue for life. However, if disabled from paraplegia, quadriplegia, or blinded, you receive both lifetime medical care and weekly check benefits.

PARALYSIS CLAIMS

As you would expect, paraplegia and quadriplegia claims are the most complex workers compensation cases to handle. Here, experience really counts. Because these are long-term claims, issues often arise long after the legal case is concluded. For example, adjusters leave or retire, and new claims are necessary if additional treatment is denied. Fortunately, Rock Hill SC workers compensation benefits continue for life.

THIRD PARTY CLAIMS

If your accident is caused by someone other than your employer, you may have a third party claim. So what does this mean? Essentially, you have two different but interrelated claims. However, in the third party case, negligence rules apply. In addition, any workers compensation benefits received are deducted. Strategically, it is best to pursue your Rock Hill SC workers compensation case first. Why? Because you get weekly pay benefits while recovering and receiving medical care. Then, once the workers compensation case is settled, you pursue the third party case. Of course, the workers compensation carrier has a lien on any benefits paid. But if handled properly, an injured worker gets fully compensated through both claims.