A Guide to SC Workers’ Compensation for Injured
Utility Workers
Injured as a utility worker in SC? Learn about your rights to workers’ comp benefits and the steps to take to maximize your claim.
Every day in Columbia, utility workers face serious risks, from electrical hazards to exposure to harsh weather conditions and heavy machinery, making utility work one of the more perilous occupations in the state.
Fortunately, if you’re a utility worker who’s been injured on the job in South Carolina, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to help cover medical expenses, lost wages, and more. This article is intended to help you understand your eligibility for workers’ comp benefits, the types of benefits available, and how to file a claim effectively to maximize your compensation.
Workers’ comp claims can be complicated, especially when dealt with on your own. If you need help understanding your rights or filing a claim, reach out to our experienced Columbia work injury attorneys to schedule a free consultation.
What are the most common injuries for utility workers?
Utility workers face a wide range of risks and injuries while on the job. In 2022, the National Safety Council (NSC) reported that utility workers in the U.S. experienced about 20,000 injuries, including 36 fatal injuries.
Some common risks and injuries that utility workers could face include:
- Traumatic injuries. Utility workers often work on ladders, scaffolding, or elevated platforms, making falls a significant risk. Falls can result from slipping on wet surfaces, tripping over tools or materials, or losing balance while working at heights without adequate fall protection. Additionally, driving for work also puts these workers at risk of vehicle accidents. Both accidents and falls can lead to catastrophic injuries like fractures, head and brain injuries, organ damage, paralysis, and even death.
- Electrical burns and shock. These injuries can occur from direct contact with live wires, malfunctioning equipment, or failure to de-energize electrical circuits during maintenance. They can cause internal organ damage and even death from cardiac arrest.
- Musculoskeletal injuries. These include muscle and tendon strains and sprains resulting from lifting heavy objects, repetitive motions, and working in awkward postures. These injuries often result from overexertion, improper lifting techniques, or continuous physical labor without sufficient breaks.
- Eye injuries. Exposure to flying debris, dust, chemicals, or sparks can lead to eye injuries. These injuries often result from inadequate eye protection, like safety goggles or face shields, especially during tasks such as grinding, welding, or chemical handling, and working in environments with overhead hazards.
- Hearing loss. Prolonged exposure to loud machinery and equipment can lead to hearing loss or damage. Working in noisy environments without adequate hearing protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs, increases the risk of permanent hearing impairment.
- Respiratory issues. Exposure to dust, fumes, or other airborne contaminants can lead to respiratory problems for workers. Working in poorly ventilated areas or without adequate respiratory protection can make symptoms worse.
- Cuts and lacerations. Handling sharp tools, equipment, or materials can result in cuts and lacerations. These injuries commonly occur from contact with blades, broken glass, or jagged edges of metal, as well as improper handling of cutting tools like saws and knives.
- Heat stress. Working in hot environments, especially outdoors during the summer, can lead to heat stress, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures, heavy protective clothing, and inadequate hydration often intensify these problems.
These work-related risks, injuries, and illnesses can slow you down or stop you from returning to work entirely, so it’s crucial to understand your rights and the steps to take to begin the workers’ comp claim process.
Can utility workers get workers’ comp in SC?
Yes, utility workers in South Carolina can typically receive workers’ compensation benefits if they’re injured on the job. Workers’ compensation in South Carolina is designed to provide financial and medical benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries, illnesses, or disease.
Most employers in South Carolina are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance; if your employer has 4 or more employees (full- and part-time), they’re likely obligated to provide workers’ comp insurance for you.
Utility workers employed by companies that meet this requirement are generally eligible for benefits if they sustain a job-related injury, illness, or occupational disease. However, if you’re an independent contractor and not an employee, you are likely not eligible to receive benefits.
It’s important to know that, like other states, South Carolina has a “no-fault” workers’ compensation system. This means that if you’re injured on the job, you can typically receive benefits without having to prove that your employer was negligent.
However, there are certain circumstances, such as intoxication or intentional misconduct, that could affect your eligibility. Additionally, you’ll need to be able to prove that your injury, illness, or disease was a direct result of your job to qualify for benefits.
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What benefits can utility workers get from workers’ comp?
Workers’ compensation in South Carolina offers crucial support to employees who suffer work-related injuries, illnesses, or diseases. This system ensures injured workers receive necessary medical care and financial assistance during recovery.
The types of workers’ comp benefits available to injured workers typically include:
- Medical benefits. Workers’ compensation covers the costs of doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, medical supplies, and other necessary treatments for your work-related condition.
- Lost wages. If you can’t work due to a job injury, workers’ comp provides temporary disability benefits. These benefits replace a portion of your regular pay, up to two-thirds of your usual earnings.
- Vocational rehabilitation. If you are unable to return to your previous job after recovery, workers’ compensation offers job retraining programs to help you transition to a suitable position.
- Death benefits. In the unfortunate event of a worker’s death due to a work-related injury, their dependents are eligible for financial support, including funeral expenses and ongoing income benefits, totaling up to two-thirds of the original income.
- Additional benefits. Workers’ compensation may also cover additional expenses such as travel costs for medical appointments and compensation for permanent disfigurement or disability caused by the injury.
By understanding the benefits provided by workers’ compensation in South Carolina, injured workers can ensure they receive the support needed for medical treatment, financial stability, and rehabilitation. This system plays a vital role in helping workers recover and return to productive employment while also offering essential support to their families in the event of a tragedy.
How to file for workers’ comp in SC
To ensure you receive the benefits you’re entitled to after a work-related injury or illness, you’ll need to take several key steps. They include:
- Report the injury. Immediately report the injury or illness to your employer, preferably in writing. This should be done as soon as possible, but the window for reporting typically closes 90 days after the incident or discovery of the disease. Failure to report promptly may lead to a denied claim.
- Get medical treatment. You should seek medical attention as soon as possible after an injury. If emergency treatment is necessary, go to the nearest emergency room. For non-emergencies, seek medical treatment from a doctor approved by your employer or their workers’ compensation insurance carrier. Seeking immediate medical care ensures you receive a prompt diagnosis and treatment and helps you obtain documentation linking your injury to your job, which is crucial for a successful claim. Make sure to inform the medical provider that your injury is work-related.
- Employer files a claim. Your employer is responsible for filing a claim with the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission (SCWCC). If your employer refuses to file the report or if your claim is disputed, you can file a claim yourself using Form 50.
If your employer is delaying or refusing to file your workers’ compensation claim, or if you’re having trouble with the process, consider talking to a workers’ compensation lawyer about your situation so you can ensure your rights are protected.
Reach out to a qualified workers’ compensation attorney in Columbia, SC today
If you’ve suffered a serious injury as a utility worker in South Carolina, you don’t have to navigate this challenging process alone. At Smith, Born, Leventis, Taylor & Vega, our experienced Columbia workers’ compensation attorneys are dedicated to fighting for you.
We understand the unique challenges of filing for workers’ comp after a serious injury or disease sidelines you and prevents you from working, and we’re committed to helping you secure the compensation you deserve. Let us handle the legal complexities while you focus on recovering.
Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about how we can help you maximize your benefits.
References
National Safety Council. (2017). Work Safety Introduction – Injury Facts. Injury Facts. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/work/work-overview/work-safety-introduction/
