Neal Michael Lourie Workers Compensation Law Blog on Lawyers.com

Workers compensation law in Columbia is particularly complex and confusing which has led to common myths regarding the legal proceedings. The myths associated with workers compensation can ultimately harm injured employees’ case because they are misleading. It is important to separate the myths from reality to prevent an injured individual from jeopardizing their claim. The following are common myths regarding workers compensation.

Misconception: If the accident was the fault of the employee they cannot receive compensation.Even if a work related injury was the fault of the injured employee, they are still entitled to compensation in the state of South Carolina. South Carolina’s workers compensation process is a no-fault system; meaning that no matter who is at fault for the injury benefits can still be claimed. Benefits for an injured employee include reimbursement of medical bills and compensation from wages lost. The only exception to this is if an employee purposely injures himself or herself for personal gain or benefit. 

Misconception: An employee can be fired, demoted, or transferred for filing a claim.
An employee who has sustained injuries while working should not feel guilty or fearful of filing a claim. Workers compensation is a personal right and an employer cannot discriminate because a worker has filed a claim. If an employer is attempting to coerce an employee from waiving their right to file a claim, they should seek prompt representation from an experienced lawyer to protect their rights.

Misconception: Workers compensation lawyers are too expensive.
Injured individuals should not attempt to handle their workers compensation claim on their own based on the belief that lawyers are too expensive. South Carolina has laws limiting the amount a workers compensation lawyer can bill a client for representing them in a Columbia workers compensation case. The Lourie Law Firm handles workers compensation claims on a contingency fee basis.  This means there is no fee unless recovery is made for the client. 

Article provided by Lourie Law Firm LLC, 1224 Pickens Street Columbia, South Carolina 29211, 1-866-442-8288, www.lourielawfirm.com.