Accessible Workers’ Compensation Representation from Our Attorneys
Receive first-class legal representation for your workers’ compensation case when you enlist the aid of Goodwyn Law Firm, LLC. You can always rely on us to provide you with exceptional advice and representation for every aspect of your case. Contact us today to learn how we can help.
Workers’ Compensation Claims
At Goodwyn Law Firm, we strive to provide exceptional representation for workers and businesses that face a workers’ compensation claim. No matter what the nature of the case may be, our legal team will always provide personalized representation and exceptional quality legal services to our clients. When you retain the Goodwyn Law Firm, you can rest assured that we will aggressively fight to help ensure that you obtain a favorable result.
What is the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission?
The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission the government agency which is in charge of handling all workers’ compensation claims. You may not realize this but workers’ compensation claims do NOT go to court. You will never see a judge or a jury in a workers’ compensation case.
If there is a dispute in your case it will be heard by a Commissioner. The Commissioner is like a judge. He or she will hear your side of the story, your employer’s side of the story, what the doctors have to say and then will file a written decision called an Opinion and Award.
The losing side on an Opinion and Award can file an appeal to the Full Commission. The Full Commission is a panel of three Commissioners who reconsider the evidence, which was presented to the Commissioner. The attorney for each side gets to tell the Full Commission what they should focus on, and the Commissioners may very well be asking that attorney a lot of questions.
How long do workers’ compensation claims last?
The overwhelming majority of claims are over within a year. Those are the claims where, fortunately, there is no or little lost time from work and there is no permanent disability.
If your claim is denied the best estimate is that it will take a year to get a decision from the Workers’ Compensation . It may be quicker, but not a whole lot quicker. An appeal by the insurance company will add at least another six months to that.
You are entitled to medical benefits and, of course, you are entitled to be paid disability for up to 500 weeks from the date of your injury in some cases. In some very limited cases you may receive disability for life.
Do I pay taxes on any of this?
Workers’ compensation benefits are tax-free. This means you will not pay taxes on your weekly checks or on the settlement. Social Security Disability payments are taxable though – including the amounts offset by workers’ compensation. This is technical so you should call an attorney or your tax advisor.