Understand your rights to compensation after an on-the-job injury or illness in Columbia and surrounding South Carolina communities

UPS operates in more than 220 countries and territories, with 90 locations across South Carolina. In 2022 alone, the company delivered approximately 24.3 million packages every day, totaling about 6.2 billion that year. 

Unfortunately, the physical demands of UPS delivery services often result in work-related injuries for their employees.

Despite UPS being cited and fined numerous times in recent years for safety violations, UPS officials still claim that safety remains one of their top priorities. According to a report by The New York Times, UPS says their injury rate is lower than the national average at 3.6 injuries for every 200,000 hours worked compared to 4.7 injuries per 200,000 hours worked for all industries in the U.S.

If you’re a UPS employee in South Carolina who’s been hurt on the job, our Columbia work injury attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Common accidents and injuries at UPS

UPS is known for its fast-paced and physically demanding work environment, which can result in a wide range of work-related accidents and injuries for employees. 

Slip-and-fall accidents are extremely common because of crowded walkways, falls from ladders and slippery surfaces in warehouses and during delivery.

Common UPS worker injuries include the following:

In addition to the physical demands of the job, many UPS employees’ duties involve driving, putting them at risk for motor vehicle accidents and related injuries. Exposure to toxins from exhaust fumes is also a potential risk.

Regardless of your job at UPS in South Carolina, if you suffer a work-related injury or illness, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to cover your medical expenses and lost wages. Our Columbia work injury attorneys can help you navigate the workers’ compensation system and get the compensation you deserve.

Types of workers’ compensation benefits

UPS workers in South Carolina are entitled to compensation for medical bills and lost wages after a work-related injury or illness. 

Workers’ compensation is a form of no-fault insurance. That means workers don’t need to prove that their employer was at fault for their work-related injury or illness in order to get compensation. You only need to prove that your injury or illness occurred while you were working or because of your work environment.

The amount of compensation you receive will vary depending on the type and extent of your injury or illness as determined by your doctor.

Here are some of the types of benefits available to UPS employees who are injured on the job in South Carolina:

• Medical benefits. All necessary medical expenses are covered under workers’ comp, including doctor visits, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, medication, diagnostic tests and medical equipment.
• Income replacement benefits. If your injury prevents you from working, you’re entitled to wage loss benefits while you recover. These benefits vary based on your assigned disability:
  • Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits. If your doctor decides that you cannot return to work for more than 7 days due to your injuries, you should receive two-thirds of your average weekly wages while you’re unable to work.
  • Temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits. If your doctor decides that you are able to work with certain restrictions, you’ll be eligible for TPD benefits, which amount to two-thirds of the difference between your pre-injury and post-injury wages, up to the South Carolina statutory maximum.
  • Permanent total disability (PTD). If your injury prevents you from being able to work permanently in any capacity, you’ll be entitled to PTD benefits. You should receive two-thirds of your average weekly wages up to the South Carolina statutory maximum for a maximum of 500 weeks.
  • Permanent partial disability (PPD). If you have a permanent that still allows you to work in some capacity, you’ll be entitled to PPD benefits. You should receive two-thirds of the difference between your pre-injury and post-injury average weekly wages, up to the South Carolina statutory maximum. Your injury will be classified as “scheduled” or “unscheduled,” which will determine how long you can receive benefits. If your injury is listed in the South Carolina schedule of losses, it’s considered a scheduled injury. In such cases, the length of time you will receive benefits is equivalent to the number of weeks assigned to the affected body part in the schedule of losses.
• Death benefits. If you die from a work-related injury or illness, your dependents may be entitled to benefits that cover funeral expenses and two-thirds of your average weekly wage for a period of 500 weeks.

How are weekly workers’ comp benefits calculated?

If you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits as a UPS employee in South Carolina, the amount of weekly benefits you receive will depend on the nature and extent of your injury, as well as your pre-injury earnings.

To help illustrate how these calculations work, here’s a table showing the maximum weekly benefits available in South Carolina based on the year:

Year	Maximum average weekly wage
2021	$903
2022	$918
2023	$935
2024	$950

Here’s an example scenario: Let‘s say you were earning $900 per week prior to your injury, and your doctor determines that you’re entitled to TTD benefits. Your weekly benefit amount would be calculated as follows: ($900 x 66%) = $600

So, in this case, you would receive $600 per week in TTD benefits until you’re able to return to work.

If you have questions about how your weekly benefits will be calculated or need assistance filing a workers’ compensation claim, our Columbia workers’ compensation attorneys can help you understand your legal rights and get the compensation you deserve.

What steps should I take if I’m injured at UPS in South Carolina?

If you sustain a work-related injury while working for UPS, there are important steps you need to take in South Carolina to protect your health and legal rights:

1. Seek medical attention. You should always seek medical care as soon as possible after a work accident. If your injury is not an emergency, you will be required to see an employer-approved physician. It’s crucial to get medical documentation of your injury as soon as possible after a work accident to prove your injury is work-related.
2. Notify your employer. It is crucial that you notify your employer of your injury as soon as possible. In South Carolina, you’re required to report your injury within 90 days. Failure to report your injury in a timely manner could result in the loss of your workers’ compensation benefits.
3. Document your injury. Make sure to document the details of your injury, including the date, time, location and how the injury occurred. This will help strengthen your workers’ compensation claim.
4. Verify that your employer files a workers’ comp claim. After they receive notice of your injury, it’s your employer’s responsibility to begin the workers’ comp process by submitting Form 50 to their insurance company.
5. Consider hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer. Filing a work injury claim with UPS in South Carolina can often be a difficult process. If your employer denies your claim, you should consult a workers’ compensation lawyer who can help protect your legal rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Contact our Columbia, South Carolina, work injury attorneys for help

At Smith, Born, Leventis, Taylor & Vega, we understand how difficult it can be to navigate the workers’ compensation system, especially when you’re dealing with a serious injury. That’s why we’re here to help. Our Columbia work injury attorneys have the experience and knowledge necessary to help you get the compensation you deserve if you were injured while working for UPS.

Here are just a few reasons why you should consider contacting us:

• We will review your case for free and help you understand your legal rights.
• We can handle all aspects of your workers’ compensation claim, from filing to negotiating with UPS and their insurance company.
• We will fight for your rights and make sure that you get the maximum compensation available under South Carolina law.
• We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t pay us anything unless we win your case.

Don’t let UPS intimidate you or deny you the benefits you’re entitled to under the law. Contact Smith, Born, Leventis, Taylor & Vega today to schedule a free consultation with our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys. We’ll work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.