Manufacturing Injury Statistics in North and South Carolina
Manufacturing is a vital industry in both North and South Carolina, providing thousands of jobs across the region. However, the manufacturing industry can also be quite hazardous, with a range of potential risks and dangers for workers. In fact, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, manufacturing has consistently been one of the most injury-prone industries in the United States.
In North Carolina, for example, the state’s Department of Labor indicates that manufacturing accounted for nearly 20% of all reported workplace injuries and illnesses in 2019.
Meanwhile, in South Carolina, manufacturing is similarly high-risk, with an injury and illness rate of 3.2 incidents per 100 full-time workers in 2019, according to the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) office. This was higher than the overall rate of 2.8 incidents per 100 workers across all industries in the state.
What Benefits Can Workers’ Comp Lawyers Help Me Receive?
When you have been injured on the job in a manufacturing setting, it is important to know your rights and seek out the compensation that you are entitled to. A workers’ comp lawyer can help ensure that you receive the benefits that you need for recovery and provide support throughout this process. These benefits include:
Medical Expenses
Workers’ compensation lawyers can help ensure that injured workers receive appropriate medical treatment for their injuries, including hospital visits, doctor’s appointments, physical therapy sessions, medications, and more.
Lost Wages
Injured employees are often unable to work while they recover from their injuries or illnesses. An experienced attorney can assist in filing a claim to get back lost wages due to missed workdays or reduced hours as a result of an injury or illness sustained on the job site.
Temporary Partial Disability Benefits
Temporary partial disability benefits provide financial assistance to injured workers who are able to work but whose injury or illness limits their earning capacity. These benefits typically cover a portion of the difference between the worker’s pre-injury earnings and their current earnings while they are recovering from their injury (typically two-thirds of their average weekly wage). This can help injured workers make ends meet and maintain their financial stability while they are undergoing treatment and rehabilitation.
Permanent Partial Disability Benefits
In some cases, an injury or illness sustained on the job may cause a permanent disability that limits the worker’s earning capacity permanently. In these instances, workers’ compensation lawyers can help secure permanent partial disability benefits to ensure that injured workers are compensated for their loss of earning capacity and able to adequately support themselves in the future.
Death Benefits
If a loved one has passed away due to an industrial-related injury or illness, family members may be eligible for death benefits in their stead. An experienced workers’ comp lawyer can help families with this process and make sure that they receive the maximum compensation allowed under state law.
What to Do if You are Hurt at Work
If you are an employee in North or South Carolina who has been injured on the job, there are several steps that must be taken to ensure that you receive the workers’ compensation benefits for which you are eligible.
Report the Injury to Your Employer
It is important to report your injury or illness to your employer. Your employer should submit the necessary forms to their workers’ compensation insurance company and start the claims process.
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible in order to ensure that your injury or illness is properly treated and documented by a healthcare provider. But remember, because you have already reported your injury to your employer, they should be providing the necessary authorizations, through their workers’ compensation insurance to avoid you having to pay out-of-pocket.
Hire an Experienced Workers’ Comp Lawyer
It is beneficial for injured workers in North and South Carolina to contact an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer for help with the claims process. An attorney can help ensure that you receive all of the benefits to which you are entitled and provide support through each step of the process.
File a Claim with the North or South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission
Once your claim has been filed, it is important to file a claim with the relevant workers’ compensation commission in either North or South Carolina. This ensures that you receive your benefits promptly and can help ensure that any disputes are settled quickly.
An experienced workers’ comp lawyer can help injured workers in North and South Carolina get the compensation they deserve for their injuries or illnesses. If you are an industrial worker who has been injured on the job, contact our qualified attorneys today to ensure that you receive all of the benefits to which you are entitled under state law.
How Long Do You Have to Start a Workman’s Comp Claim in North and South Carolina?
It is important to act quickly after an injury or illness has occurred in a manufacturing setting, as there are deadlines for filing workers’ compensation claims. In North and South Carolina, employees should provide their employer with written notice of their injury within 30 days and they must file their claim within two years of the date of incident or death.
If you have been injured in a manufacturing setting, it is important to seek out experienced legal help as soon as possible. A workers’ comp lawyer can provide the support and guidance needed to ensure that you receive all the benefits you are entitled to under state law.
Employers’ Duty to Keep Workers Safe
In North and South Carolina, employers have a legal duty to protect the health and safety of their workers. This responsibility includes providing a safe working environment with appropriate safeguards against potential hazards, implementing regular safety training for employees, and offering prompt medical care for any work-related injuries or illnesses.
Workers Compensation Insurance Requirements for Employers
North and South Carolina both have workers’ compensation insurance requirements for employers. Employers with three or more employees in NC and four or more employees in SC, must carry workers’ compensation insurance, which covers medical bills, lost wages, and other costs related to an employee’s injury or illness during their employment. Suppose an employer does not have a valid workers comp insurance policy. In that case, they may be held personally liable for any medical costs and other damages related to the employee’s injury or illness.
If you are an employer with the requisite number of employees, you are required to carry workers’ compensation coverage. A workers comp policy will help protect you from liability in the event of an employee injury or illness and ensure employees will be appropriately cared for in the event of an accident.
Should You Get a Lawyer If You Were Hurt On the Job?
If you were hurt on the job in North or South Carolina, we strongly recommend contacting a qualified workers’ compensation attorney. A lawyer can help you with the following:
– Filing your claim promptly
– Gathering evidence to support your case
– Negotiating with insurers and employers for maximum benefits
– Representing you at hearings and appeals
– Provide support and guidance through the claims process
– Ensure you receive all benefits you are entitled to under state law
The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor can help you fight for your rights if you are unfairly denied benefits. With our experienced legal assistance, injured industrial workers in North and South Carolina maximize their chances of receiving the compensation they deserve.
Injured on the Job? Let Our North & South Carolina Work Injury Attorneys Fight for You
At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, our team of skilled attorneys is dedicated to helping injured manufacturing employees obtain the compensation they deserve for their work-related injuries. With years of experience representing injured workers in North and South Carolina, we understand the complex legal issues involved in workers’ compensation claims and can provide you with the representation and support needed to ensure a successful outcome. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn more about how we can help you.
With The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor on your side, you can feel confident that your rights will be protected throughout the workers’ compensation process and beyond.
