Were you injured while on the job in Spartanburg or elsewhere in Upstate South Carolina? If your employer is covered by workers’ comp, you have the right to file for no-fault benefits. You may be wondering: What are my options if I suffered multiple injuries? The short answer is that you can seek a workers’ comp settlement that includes benefits for all of your injuries. Here, our Spartanburg workers’ compensation lawyer provides a guide for seeking a settlement for multiple injuries at the same time in South Carolina.
Know the Law: Workers’ Comp Multiple Injury Settlements
The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act governs workers’ compensation claims in our state. The law requires all employers with four or more employees to provide no-fault workers’ compensation insurance coverage. Many smaller employers have workers’ comp coverage as well. The law allows compensation for all injuries that arise out of and occur in the course of employment. Notably, it does not limit a claim to a single injury. With serious accidents, injured workers often have multiple, interrelated claims. For example, a fall from a ladder at a worksite in Spartanburg may injure the back, knee, and shoulder. Alternatively, a crushing injury at a factory may result in multiple fractures, nerve damage, and chronic pain.
You have the right to bring a workers’ comp claim for all of the injuries that you suffered within the course and scope of your employment. Your medical providers should document each diagnosis. Imaging, evaluations, specialist referrals, and treatment notes create the foundation of the claim. Insurance carriers rely heavily on these records when assessing the value of a multiple-injury case. Accurate, early documentation prevents disputes about whether a specific injury is related to the work event. If you are worried that your injuries are not properly documented, an experienced Spartanburg, SC workers’ compensation attorney can help.
Key Point: South Carolina requires employers and insurers to provide all medical care that “tends to lessen the period of disability.” Multiple injuries often require care from orthopedic specialists, neurologists, physical therapists, and pain-management physicians. Each provider contributes to the overall treatment plan. Workers may need several rounds of imaging. Workers may also need surgery, injections, rehabilitation, or long-term management. The insurer must pay for all reasonable and necessary treatment linked to the accident.
Disability Benefits Must Reflect the Combined Impact of Multiple Injuries
In South Carolina, an injured worker reaches Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) when physicians determine further improvement is not expected. At that point, disability evaluations begin. South Carolina assigns permanent disability benefits based on impairment ratings, functional restrictions, and the overall impact on the worker’s earning capacity.
Scheduled injuries appear in S.C. Code Ann. § 42-9-30. These include injuries to hands, arms, legs, feet, eyes, and similar body parts. Multiple scheduled injuries can be combined when they affect total functional capacity. For example, a worker with both a shoulder injury and a knee injury may receive separate impairment ratings, but the Workers’ Compensation Commission evaluates how the injuries interact. Unscheduled injuries, including head injuries, spine injuries, internal injuries, and psychological injuries, fall under S.C. Code Ann. § 42-9-20. They must also be evaluated in a manner that addresses the overall adverse impact on the worker.
Settlement for Multiple Injuries: Challenges to Consider
For workers in Spartanburg or elsewhere Upstate in South Carolina who suffered multiple injuries in the same accident, there can be a number of different challenges to deal with during the workers’ compensation claims process. A proactive approach is a must. Here are some considerations:
- Challenge 1 (Proving That Each Injury is Work-Related): Multiple injuries increase the burden of proof because each condition must be tied to the same workplace event. Insurers often argue that one or more injuries are pre-existing or unrelated. That can be a big issue in a workers’ compensation claim. It is a challenge that an experienced Spartanburg, SC work injury lawyer can help you address head-on.
- Challenge 2 (Coordinating Care Across Several Specialists): Workers with multiple injuries often need to work with orthopedists, neurologists, pain-management doctors, and physical therapists at the same time. Conflicting recommendations or inconsistent notes can complicate the claim. The care that you receive must be properly documented and well-coordinated. Conflicts can cause you problems.
- Challenge 3 (Accurate Disability and Impairment Ratings): Finally, multiple injuries can produce overlapping limitations that are difficult to measure. Physicians may assign separate impairment ratings, but the Workers’ Compensation Commission evaluates the combined functional impact. A comprehensive evaluation is required.
The McCravy, Newlon, & Clardy Law Firm Handles Complex Claims
Workers’ compensation cases are complicated, especially so for workers who have multiple injuries. Professional legal guidance and support can make the difference. At McCravy, Newlon & Clardy Law Firm P.A., our attorney for multiple injuries workers’ comp is standing by, ready to help you navigate the claims process. Our case results and our record of client testimonials tell the story best. We represent workers across all industries in Upstate South Carolina. No matter where you work, if you suffered multiple injuries on the job, our firm can help.
Contact Our Spartanburg, SC Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
At McCravy, Newlon & Clardy Law Firm P.A., our Spartanburg, SC workers’ comp lawyer is here to help. If you were in a bad accident at work and you are preparing to make a claim for multiple injuries, our team can help. Contact us right away for your free, no obligation initial consultation.