Columbia, SC – After a workplace injury, South Carolina employees are often left facing medical bills, lost wages, and legal confusion. McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates, Attorneys at Law, provides experienced legal guidance for injured workers in Columbia who need help understanding and accessing their workers’ compensation benefits.
The Role of Medical Evaluations in Workers’ Compensation Cases
One of the most important stages of a workers’ compensation claim is the medical evaluation. Employers often require this exam after an employee files a claim, as it helps determine the severity of the injury and which benefits may apply.
Injured workers attending these evaluations are encouraged to:
Dress consistently with their injury (e.g., wear a sling or use crutches if applicable)
Understand their own medical history to avoid confusion with pre-existing conditions
Be prepared to discuss all treatments and symptoms to date
Clearly explain how the injury occurred at work
Having a friend or family member accompany the injured employee can also be helpful for note-taking and emotional support.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation Benefits in South Carolina
The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act provides several key benefits to injured employees:
Medical care paid for by the employer, with no deductibles
Mileage reimbursement for medical appointments located over five miles away
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) if the employee cannot return to work at all
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) if the employee returns to a lower-paying position
Permanent Impairment Compensation based on the extent of long-term disability
These benefits are designed to support employees while they recover and to compensate them for any lasting impact of their work-related injury.
Third-Party Claims and Legal Complexities
In some cases, workers may also be able to pursue third-party lawsuits. For example, if a delivery driver is hit by another motorist while on the job, that driver may be held liable in addition to the workers’ compensation claim.
Workers’ comp cases can become especially complex when insurance companies dispute the cause or extent of the injury. McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates helps injured workers push back against claim denials, low settlement offers, and delayed benefit payments.
Free Consultations Available in Columbia
With offices across South Carolina—including Columbia, Sumter, Lexington, Camden, Orangeburg, Newberry, and Aiken—McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates is accessible to injured workers seeking legal help.
?? Call 803-592-9850 to schedule a free case evaluation with a Columbia workers’ comp attorney.
Whether navigating a difficult medical evaluation or exploring permanent disability benefits, the firm's workers comp attorneys Columbia stands ready to guide workers through every step of their claim.
