Bullying Bosses Can Make Workplaces More Dangerous

Bullying bosses can certainly make a workplace unpleasant. But they can also increase the likelihood of workplace accidents and job injuries, according to findings from a Portland State University study.   

Surveys of airline workers and manufacturing technicians revealed that abusive treatment from superiors inadvertently caused workers to neglect safety in ways that could endanger themselves and others. 

Why? Employees who are routinely bullied by their bosses tend to lose their sense of belonging in the work group. This causes them to become more self-centered and less focused on overall safety. As a result, they pay less attention to workplace hazards, putting themselves and their colleagues at risk of injury.

Not only that, bullying can also increase the chances of workplace violence due to an employee’s diminished sense of self-worth. 

The study underscores the devastating impact that stress can have not just on an individual worker, but on the entire workplace as a whole. 

Stress and Workplace Accidents

Job-related stress can be attributed to 80 percent of workplace accidents, according to the American Psychological Association. 

People who are bullied are more likely to be distracted at work. The Workplace Bullying Institute found that 37 percent of Americans have been affected by abuse at work, either by being the direct target of the bullying or a witness to it. 

Put another way, bullying has kept more than one-third of American employees from paying attention to their jobs. In particularly hazardous work environments, such as a construction site, this amount of distraction can easily turn deadly.

Can S.C. Employees Get Workers’ Compensation for Job-Related Stress?

Making a workers’ compensation claim for a mental injury like stress is possible in South Carolina, but getting benefits can be tricky. Convincing an insurance company that bullying is a valid reason to compensate for the injury could be an uphill battle.

South Carolina law states that stress (with no other physical injury) can be covered under workers’ compensation if: 

• The employee’s job situation that led to the stress injury was extraordinary and unusual compared to the normal work environment
  
• There is medical evidence connecting the stressful work conditions to the employee’s mental distress  

If you’ve been bullied on the job and are diagnosed with work-related stress, the best way to find out whether you may be entitled to workers’ comp benefits is to talk to an experienced workers’ compensation attorney.  

Contact A Compassionate South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Employees have the right to a workplace that is safe not only from physical hazards, but also emotional ones. If you are suffering from a job-related psychological injury, let the dedicated attorneys at Stewart Law Offices help you. 

Our devoted workers’ comp attorneys treat clients like family. Just as we would never abandon a loved one during a time of need, we can make sure that you don’t have to navigate the workers’ compensation process alone. 

Not sure if you have a valid claim? No problem. Our workers’ comp attorneys provide free consultations to all potential clients. Call or contact us today to arrange yours.    

 

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Wrongful Death And Workers’ Compensation In N.C.

Losing a loved one in a workplace accident is something that no family is ever prepared for. The death can have a devastating impact on all who depend on the family member for love, care and financial support.

Most employers in North Carolina have workers’ compensation insurance that provides death benefits if an employee dies from a work-related injury or illness. Death benefits can be a source of valuable financial assistance for families in the midst of tragedy. But understanding how to apply and obtain workers’ compensation benefits can be challenging, especially while you’re trying to cope with such a great loss.   

Let a compassionate North Carolina workers’ compensation attorney from Stewart Law Offices help you through this difficult time. Our experienced legal team can help you apply for benefits, handle any appeals and investigate whether any other parties may be held liable for your family member’s death.

Contact our skilled workers’ comp attorneys today for a free consultation.   

Is Wrongful Death Covered Under N.C. Workers’ Compensation Laws?

The North Carolina workers’ compensation system provides for death benefits when a work-related injury or disease contributes to a worker’s demise, even if the incident was not the sole cause of death. Death benefits are also available if the job aggravated a previously existing condition and led to death. 

Workers’ compensation benefits may even be paid when the cause of the worker’s death is unknown, but still occurred within the scope of employment. This is called the “Pickrell presumption.”

What Benefits Are Available In A Wrongful Death Workers’ Comp Claim?

Benefits in North Carolina amount to two-thirds of what the worker was getting paid weekly when the illness or accident occurred, up to a cap that changes each year. Benefits are paid weekly for 500 weeks, except:

• If benefits go to dependent children, they’re paid until the children turn 18.
  
• If the deceased’s spouse can’t support themselves due to a disability, then benefits are paid as long as the spouse is alive or until they remarry.

Benefits also cover funeral and burial expenses up to $10,000, even if the person had no dependents or next of kin.

How Long Do I Have To File A Wrongful Death Claim In N.C.?

To file a claim for death benefits under North Carolina’s workers’ comp system, the worker’s wrongful death must have happened no more than six years after their injury or illness or within two years of their final disability determination, whichever is later. 

Survivors must inform the worker’s employer within 30 days of his or her death by filing a “Notice of Accident” with the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) and sending a copy to the employer. Survivors have two years to file for workers’ comp benefits. 

How Can Stewart Law Offices Help Me?

The N.C. workers’ compensation system has specific procedures that must be followed before benefits can be paid. Survivor’s claims are often denied if the appropriate paperwork isn’t filled out correctly or filed on time, which can easily happen when you’re focused on picking up the pieces after your loss. One of the experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Stewart Law Offices can take over this process for you so that your claims are prepared properly and submitted on time. 

If a family member died while working, you may have the right to death benefits to help in the aftermath of your loss. Call or contact us today to set up a free consultation.

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JUUL, E-Cigarette Products Under Investigation By CDC

When JUUL e-cigarettes were first released onto the market, they were touted as a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes. New evidence indicates that is not the case. At least 34 people in 24 states have died after using e-cigarettes from numerous manufacturers, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In addition, the CDC has recorded more than 1,600 cases of lung diseases related to e-cigarette use, also known as vaping. The trend is so concerning that the agency is publishing updates to the statistics every week.

Lawsuits against JUUL Labs have been filed by users (including parents or guardians of teenagers who used JUUL products), alleging that the devices and their flavors are dangerous. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with an illness caused by vaping, the JUUL injury attorneys at Stewart Law Offices can advise you of your legal options.

Contact us for a free consultation.

What is JUUL?

A JUUL is a type of e-cigarette. The device heats a liquid containing nicotine (the addictive ingredient in cigarettes) into an aerosol that users can inhale into their lungs. This process is called vaping, although no vapor is created.

Today, e-cigarette manufacturers are widely criticized for developing products that are getting children and teens hooked on nicotine unknowingly. The liquids come in a number of flavors, many of which cater to a youth market. Examples include graham cracker, fruit, candy, gummy bear and unicorn.

Are JUUL Devices Dangerous?

Although all vaping products are risky, JUUL devices are considered particularly dangerous. The liquid produced by JUUL Labs has five percent nicotine, more than twice the amount found in other e-cigarettes. This makes them much more likely to be addictive.

In addition, the amount of nicotine in one JUUL pod is equivalent to one pack of cigarettes. Teenagers often use multiple pods in one sitting, meaning they are inhaling extremely high levels of nicotine at once.

E-Cigarette Statistics

The statistics surrounding e-cigarette use are alarming, showing a lack of public awareness about the products and their dangers.

For example:

• 36 percent of e-cigarette users thought that the devices were less harmful than cigarettes.
• 60 percent of teenagers in a recent study believed e-cigarettes contained mostly flavoring ingredients, not nicotine.
• Another survey shows that nearly a quarter of high school seniors in the U.S. have vaped within the last 30 days.
• 98.7 percent of all e-cigarettes sold in retail stores contain nicotine. Others contain THC, the addictive ingredient in marijuana.

Symptoms of E-Cigarette Illnesses

Like cigarettes, JUULs and other e-cigarettes typically affect the lungs. The main symptoms associated with vaping diseases include:

• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness in the chest
• Wheezing
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Weight loss

The full range of illnesses caused by e-cigarettes is not yet known. However, vaping has been linked to irreversible lung damage and pulmonary disease.

Can I Sue JUUL?

Lawsuits have already been filed against JUUL Labs. In addition to deceptive marketing practices, other pending cases are related to defective ion-based batteries and injuries caused by exploding JUUL devices.

If you believe that you have an injury claim against JUUL, you should contact our knowledgeable e-cigarette attorneys to learn your legal rights.

How Can Stewart Law Offices Help Me?

JUUL lawsuits are complicated, particularly because U.S. officials have not yet isolated what is causing people to develop vaping-related lung diseases. But that shouldn’t discourage you from seeking legal advice.

At Stewart Law Offices, our hardworking JUUL injury attorneys will listen to your story, examine the facts and help determine whether you could be entitled to financial compensation.

Call or contact us today for a free consultation.

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North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Guide

The experienced North Carolina workers’ compensation attorneys at Stewart Law Offices fight for the rights of employees who are injured at work or diagnosed with a job-related disease. Call or contact us today to learn how we can build a workers’ compensation claim that demands maximum benefits for your injuries and losses.

What is Workers’ Compensation?

North Carolina workers’ compensation (or “workers’ comp”) provides medical coverage, wage reimbursement and other non-monetary benefits to workers who are involved in workplace accidents or diagnosed with an occupational disease. North Carolina employers with three or more employees are required to carry workers’ compensation coverage, with certain exceptions.

Who Handles North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Claims?

The North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) oversees the state’s workers compensation system. Its deputy commissioners and commissioners are in charge of resolving disputes between injured workers, employers, and employers’ insurance companies over access to appropriate workers’ compensation benefits.

Workers’ Comp Statute of Limitations in NC

• Workplace injury: 2 years from date of injury
• Occupational disease: 2 years from date of diagnosis
• Death benefits: 2 years from date of death

Failure to file on time can bar a workers’ compensation claim forever.

Notification Requirements for Workers’ Compensation

• Worker must report the injury to employer within 30 days
• File a Form 18 —Notice of Accident to Employer and Claim of Employee with the N.C. Industrial Commission (provide copy to employer)
• Employer has 5 days from the date of injury or allegation of injury to file a Form 19 — Employer’s Report of Injury to Employee with its insurance carrier

Filing Requirements

All forms and documents must be filed with the NCIC electronically

Employer Response to Claims

• Employer/insurance carrier has 30 days to admit, deny or pay the claim without prejudice (by completing Form 60, 61 or 63, whichever is appropriate)
• Employee must receive written explanation for denial of benefits within 14 days of receipt

Average Weekly Wage (AWW)

• Calculated by totaling the amount of wages for 1 year prior to injury and dividing by 52
• If employee worked less than one year, divide wages by the number of weeks worked
• Any period in which employee missed more than 7 consecutive calendar days of work not included in calculation

Workers’ Comp Claim Compensation Rates

• Calculation: 66⅔ percent of average weekly wage not exceeding the state’s maximum rate
• Maximum rate: Adjusted annually ($1,028 for 2019)
• Minimum rate: $30 a week
• Mileage: Reimbursed for medical treatment more than 20 miles from home (Also adjusted annually — 58 cents per mile for 2019)
• Other costs: Travel, hotel and food costs may also be reimbursed

Waiting Period For Payment

• Must wait 7 days before benefits (aside from medical expenses) can be paid
• If you are out of work for more than 21 days, you will be reimbursed for the first 7 days
• Payments made weekly unless NCIC directs otherwise

Medical Benefits For Eligible Workers

• Covered costs: Employer must pay for medical treatment that can cure an injury, relieve pain or help the employee get back to work. Includes payment for medical conditions that are a “direct and natural consequence” of job injury.

Handling Workers’ Comp Disputes in North Carolina

If medical treatment and wage reimbursement does not happen promptly, employee can call the insurance carrier or request a hearing with the NCIC by filing a Form 33 — Request That Claim Be Assigned for Hearing

Types of Disability Benefits

Temporary Total Disability (TTD)

• For workers who are totally disabled (but temporarily) after a workplace accident
• 66⅔ percent of AWW wage not exceeding the state’s maximum compensation rate
• Limited to 500 weeks for accidents occurring after 6/24/11; no cap on claims before that date
• Benefits still payable while employee is authorized to return to work but with restrictions

Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)

• Paid when healing worker can return to work but will be earning lower wages
• 66⅔ percent of difference between AWW pre-injury and AWW post-injury, not to exceed state maximum
• Limit of 300 weeks for injuries before 6/24/11; 500 weeks for injuries after 6/24/11

Permanent Total Disability (PTD)

• For employees who can never work again
• Medical compensation and 66⅔ percent of AWW paid for lifetime of employee
• Certain injuries are automatically considered PTD, including loss of both: Hands, arms, feet, legs, eyes, and any combination of two of the above.
• May also include some traumatic brain injuries, paralysis and severe burns to 33 percent or more of the body

Permanent Partial Disability

• Payable to workers who have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) but continue to have impairments to “scheduled” body parts according to N.C. workers’ comp law (N.C.G.S. §97-31)
• MMI is determined by doctor and worker is assigned rating that represents percentage of loss of use
• Scheduled body parts are entitled to benefits for a set number of weeks based on the percentage

Scheduled Members and Body Parts

Injury to Compensation (Weeks)

• Arm – 240
• Back-  300
  *If loss of use is more than 75 percent Total disability — 100 percent loss
• Ears:
  One ear – 70
  Both – 150
• Eye – 120
• Fingers*:
  Thumb – 75
  First (index) – 45
  Second – 40
  Third – 25
  Fourth (little) – 20
  *Loss of first phalange of thumb/ finger counts loss of half of affected digit and compensation will be for one-half the weeks specified
• Foot – 144
• Hand – 200
• Leg – 200
• Toes*:
  Great – 35
  All others – 10
  *Loss of first phalange of any toe counts loss of half of affected digit and compensation will be for one-half the weeks specified
• Serious head or facial disfigurement – Up to $20,000
  Serious bodily disfigurement – Up to $10,000
  Loss/permanent injury to any important organ – Up to $20,000

NC Workers’ Compensation Death Benefits

• Death must be a compensable injury
• Must occur within 6 years of date of accident or onset of disability, or within 2 years of a final determination of disability by NCIC (whichever is later)
• Payable to dependents of employee, with burial expenses not exceeding $10,000
• 500 weeks after death for claims after 6/24/11; some exceptions apply

Contact the N.C. Industrial Commission

Mailing Address

1240 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1240

Physical Location

430 N. Salisbury St.

Raleigh, NC 27603

NCIC Main Phone Number*

(919) 807-2501

(800) 688-8349 

*Press 1 to find out the status of Form 18, 19 or to learn your NCIC File Number

*Press 3 for claims or procedure questions

*Press 0 for general questions

Fax Number

(919) 715-0282

Email: infospec@ic.nc.gov

Important N.C. Workers’ Compensation Forms

Form 18 — Notice of Accident to Employer and Claim of Employee

Form 19 — Employer’s Report of Injury to Employee

Form 22 — Statement of Days Worked and Earnings of Injured Employee

Form 23 — Application to Reinstate Payment of Disability Compensation

Form 24 — Application to Terminate or Suspend Employee’s Workers’ Comp Benefits

Form 25N — Notice to NCIC of Assignment of Rehabilitation Professional 

Form 25P — Itemized Statement of Charges for Drugs

Form 25PR — Request for Preauthorization of Medical Treatment 

Form 25R — Evaluation of Permanent Impairment

Form 25T — Itemized Statement of Charges for Travel

Form 26A — Employer’s Admission of Employee’s Right to Permanent Partial Disability

Form 28 — Return to Work Report

Form 28B — Report of Employer or Carrier of Compensation and Medical Compensation Paid and Notice of Right to Additional Medical Compensation

Form 28C — Report of Employer or Carrier of Compensation Paid Pursuant to a Compromise Settlement Agreement

Form 28T — Notice of Termination of Compensation by Reason of Trial Return to Work

Form 28U — Employee’s Request that Compensation be Reinstated After Unsuccessful Trial Return to Work 

Form 30 — Agreement for Compensation for Death

Form 33 — Request That Claim Be Assigned for Hearing

Form 33R — Response to Request for Hearing

Form 60 — Employer’s Admission to Employee’s Right to Compensation

Form 61 — Denial of Workers’ Compensation Claim

Form 62 — Notice of Reinstatement or Modification of Compensation

Form 63 — Notice to Employee of Payment of Compensation Without Prejudice or Payment of Medical Benefits Only Without Prejudice

Form 90 — Report of Earnings

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Red Light Accident Deaths Reach 10 Year High

A recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found deaths caused by drivers breezing through red lights are the highest they’ve been in a decade. 

Data from the report shows that red-light crashes have increased by 28 percent since 2012. Almost 30 percent of fatalities that occur at intersections are caused by a driver running a red light. 

There is no excuse for ignoring a red light. If have been injured in a red-light crash, you could be eligible for significant compensation. The experienced car accident attorneys at Stewart Law Offices can help determine whether you have a claim and pursue maximum compensation for your losses. 

With offices in both South Carolina and North Carolina, Stewart Law Offices represents clients in a wide variety of car accident and personal injury claims. Call or contact us today for a free consultation.  

Red-Light Accident Injuries

Running a red light can result in severe and sometimes fatal injuries. Nearly 900 people nationwide were killed when someone drove through a red light in a recent year. 

Red-light accidents are particularly dangerous because they tend to happen at higher speeds. The greater the speed, the more violent an accident can be. Some of the most common injuries include: 

• Broken bones
• Whiplash
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Back injuries
• Cuts and bruises
• Chest and torso injuries

Being injured in a car accident often means costly medical bills, missed work, rehabilitation and significant property damage. For most people, these sudden and unwelcome expenses can create hardships that victims should never have had to endure. 

A hardworking car accident attorney at Stewart Law Offices can work to reduce those burdens by seeking full and fair compensation for your injuries. 

Getting Hit By Someone Running A Red Light

The first step towards compensation is by filing an auto accident claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. It’s a good idea to contact a skilled South Carolina car accident attorney like the ones at Stewart Law Offices before making that call. 

Here’s why:

• Insurance companies look out for themselves. Although adjusters sound sympathetic, they will be looking for ways to discredit your claim in order to deny you a fair settlement offer.
  
• Having an attorney sends a message. Accident victims with a lawyer by their side sends the message that they will not be taken advantage of.
  
• A lawyer knows how to place a fair value on your claim. Making the most of your compensation means taking current losses into account, but also anticipated future needs. Our attorneys consider every potential expense that could be a consequence of the accident. 

Red Light Accident Compensation

If you are unable to recover full and fair compensation from the insurance company, you also have the option of filing a lawsuit against the driver who ran the red light. 

Compensation can provide payment for losses like medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. In rare cases, victims may also be entitled to punitive damages intended to punish a driver for a particularly reckless act. 

What Causes People to Run Red Lights?

As many as one out of every three drivers in the AAA study admitted to running a red light within the last 30 days. Most often, drivers run red lights because they are in a hurry or because they are distracted.

Whether it was intentional or not, a person who is injured by a driver who ran a red light should still consider scheduling a free consultation with one of Stewart Law Offices’ dedicated attorneys. Determining who is at fault is an essential component in any car accident claim, and the laws are different in the Carolinas when it comes to your legal rights.  

How Can Stewart Law Offices Help Me?

If you were hit by a driver who ran a red light, the attorneys at Stewart Law Offices can launch an immediate investigation into your claim to determine what happened and who should be held responsible. Then we will collect the evidence necessary to build a strong case on your behalf, all with as little disruption to your life as possible. 

To learn how we can help, contact Stewart Law Offices today. 

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Car Alarms to Prevent Child Heatstroke Deaths

Carmakers Agree to Add Alarms to Prevent Child Heatstroke Death

Every summer, news headlines deliver the tragic news that a child has died after being left in a hot car. This phenomenon, sometimes called forgotten baby syndrome, happens when a parent or caregiver either accidentally or intentionally leaves a young child in vehicle in sweltering temperatures.  

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of Global Automakers has committed to adding rear seat reminder systems or alarms to lessen the likelihood of hot car deaths. Industry efforts aimed at hot car death prevention will include various “baby in car reminder” alarms or other approaches to help adults remember to check the back seat before exiting their vehicles.

The alliance suggests that vehicles become equipped with a baby car seat alarm system that will include a combination of auditory and visual alerts that will activate after a driver turns off the vehicle. 

All motor vehicles are expected to have a similar car seat warning system for model year vehicles 2025 and after.

Hot Car Death Statistics

The number of young children left in cars each year is staggering. Consider these statistics from the National Safety Council (NSC):

• Nearly 50 children under the age of 15 died in hot cars in 2019.
  
• Every state has experienced at least one hot car fatality over the last  years.
  
• Some states have higher rates of hot car deaths than others, especially Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia and California.
  
•  2018 had a record number of hot car deaths, with a total of 53.

How Do Parents Forget Their Children in Cars?

There are numerous reasons that parents can forget their kids in the back seat, but often it is a combination of stress and distraction. It is never appropriate to leave a child in a car alone under any circumstances, even for a few minutes.

Keeping a car’s windows open or cracked doesn’t make much difference in terms of protection, either. A study from the American Academy of Pediatrics found that in either situation, the interior temperature of a car can jump 40 degrees even when outdoor temperatures are a mild 72 degrees.

In addition, a child’s body is not able to regulate temperature as well as an adult’s, putting them at significant risk of heat stroke. 

What Happens If a Baby is Left in the Car Too Long?

If a child is left in the car for too long, he or she can experience heat stroke, which can be fatal.  Symptoms of heatstroke in children includes but is not limited to:

• Fatigue or weakness
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache
• Heat cramps in the abdominal muscles, arms or legs
• Disorientation
• Seizures
• Lack of sweating
• Shortness of breath 
• Unconsciousness

Heat exhaustion or heat stroke needs to be treated by a medical professional immediately. It is essential to take action to lower the child’s body temperature by providing cold drinks, removing clothing and applying cool water to the skin until emergency help arrives. 

How Can a Wrongful Death Attorney Help?

Depending on the circumstances of your case, it may be possible to take action against a person or entity (e.g., a daycare) who negligently left your child in a hot vehicle. In the case of a hot car death, a wrongful death lawsuit could provide compensation for medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering and possibly punitive damages. 

Parents may also be able to file a personal injury action if their child was left in a hot car and survived. Overheating is more than just a simple case of dehydration. Heatstroke can result in permanent physical damage, including brain injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney can help families decide their next step if their child was left in a hot car. 

How Can Stewart Law Offices Help Me?

If your child sustained injuries in a hot car death of another party’s negligence, you deserve to be compensated for your family’s suffering. Talk to one of the compassionate South Carolina attorneys at Stewart Law Offices. Although compensation cannot possibly make up for the loss of a child, it can help manage financial burdens that arise from the event and hold the reckless party accountable for their actions. 

Contact us for a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights. 

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What Types of Injuries Are Covered Under S.C. Workers’ Compensation Laws?

Injured employees in South Carolina are sometimes surprised to learn that their injuries or illnesses are not covered by workers’ compensation. It’s a distressing discovery, especially when the worker is suffering from an injury or disease that is costly to treat or will have a long recovery period.

The experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Stewart Law Offices believe that all hardworking S.C. employees deserve to know their rights after a workplace accident. Here’s a list of the types of injuries that typically are — and are not — covered under the state’s workers’ compensation laws.

Examples of Injuries That Are Covered In S.C. Workers’ Compensation Claims

In South Carolina, any injury that you sustain while performing duties within the scope of your employment should be covered by workers’ compensation, regardless of who is at fault. Workers’ comp provides payment for medical bills and partial wage reimbursement while the employee is healing.

Examples of injuries that could entitle you to South Carolina workers’ compensation benefits include:

• Overexertion
• Falls
• Struck by an object
• Crush injuries
• Burns
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Occupational illnesses
• Auto crashes
• Stress-related or emotional conditions
• Workplace violence

Although these injuries should be covered by workers’ compensation insurance, it’s not always easy for employees to secure these benefits on their own. Our workers’ comp attorneys strive to help clients get the full and fair amount of benefits that they deserve.

South Carolina Workplace Injuries That Are NOT Covered

Certain injuries are not covered by workers’ compensation in South Carolina, such as:

• Injuries that are easily treated with basic first aid
• Injuries that occur outside of your scope of employment (e.g., a car accident while you are commuting to work)
• Damage that you deliberately inflict upon yourself
• Injuries caused while you were under the influence of drugs and alcohol

Although your own negligence won’t necessarily bar you from receiving workers’ compensation benefits, many claims have been denied due to an employee’s misconduct. However, you should contact a knowledgeable workers’ comp attorney at Stewart Law Offices before assuming your own actions are the sole reason that you were injured.

Sometimes there are multiple reasons for why an accident occurs. An independent investigation by our lawyers can help identify whether someone else could be held liable for the accident that injured you.

How We Can Help

At first glance, South Carolina’s workers’ compensation rules make it sound like obtaining benefits will be easy. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

Workers’ compensation is provided by insurance companies that prioritize their own profits over the health of employees. As such, they regularly deny or diminish employees’ claims.

At Stewart Law Offices, our South Carolina workers’ compensation attorneys can assist you through the entire claims process. Having legal representation can prevent you from being treated unfairly and improve your chances of getting the benefits you need to recover from your injuries.

Call or contact us today for a free consultation.

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