Manufacturing and production jobs have some of the highest rates of injury per occupation in the country. Getting hurt on the job, such as being trapped in a piece of machinery, suffering toxic exposure, or falling from a height, can be terrifying. The resulting injuries can change your life.
If you’ve been harmed in a manufacturing industry accident in South Carolina, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim to cover your medical expenses and partial wage replacement while you heal. In some situations, you may have the right to pursue additional compensation through a third-party personal injury case.
Our industrial accident attorneys in South Carolina want to guide you through the process, from filing your initial workers’ comp claim to appealing a denied or undervalued claim. We can also explore other options for securing financial benefits for your job-related injuries. You can learn more in a free consultation with an attorney from Jebaily Law Firm.
Contact us now to discuss your situation with a workplace injury lawyer in South Carolina.
Importance of Hiring a Manufacturing Plant Injury Attorney
A lawyer works for your interests, not your employer’s and not the insurance company’s. Your lawyer focuses on ensuring that you get all the benefits you’re entitled to and that your workers’ compensation settlement is enough to cover your current and future medical needs.
The insurance company, on the other hand, cares about spending as little money as possible on each claim. Your attorney can build a solid case to demand maximum compensation for your injuries.
Your employer and their insurer could deny your claim or minimize the extent of your injuries. In such a situation, you have the right to file an appeal before the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission. This can be difficult for injured workers to do on their own, especially those unfamiliar with SC Workers’ Compensation laws. Your lawyer can help you by drafting your appeal, gathering the right documentation and proof to support it, and arguing your appeal.
In some factory accidents, a third party – someone other than your employer and co-workers – may be to blame for the resulting work-related injuries. For example, a serious injury could result from defective equipment or the negligence of a third-party contractor working in the facility. A personal injury attorney can analyze your unique situation to pursue additional compensation if you have a valid third-party claim.
Common Injuries in South Carolina Factory Jobs
Machines with dozens of moving parts, harsh chemicals, power tools, heavy equipment, and crowded assembly lines all make a perfect storm for work-related accidents. These are just a few of the most common types of manufacturing and industrial career injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Crushing injuries
- Electrocution and electrical burns
- Spinal cord damage
- Scalding injuries and thermal burns
- Amputation
- Vision or hearing loss
- Repetitive motion injuries, like carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fractures and broken bones
- Muscle strains and sprains
Factory workers may also develop a chronic illness due to toxic exposure, like COPD or cancer.
If you don’t see your injury or illness on this list, you may still be covered under workers’ compensation as long as the injury was job-related, and you are not disqualified from filing because you waited too long to notify your employer.
Causes of Manufacturing Plant Injuries in South Carolina
Industrial accidents happen in a wide variety of ways. Some of the most frequent causes of South Carolina workplace injuries in manufacturing plants include:
- Trip-and-fall or slip-and-fall accidents
- Toxic exposure, like chemical fumes or spills, can cause eye injury, respiratory concerns, skin disease, or burns
- Falling from heights
- Injury from vehicles, like a forklift or skid loader
- Defective or malfunctioning equipment or tools
- Repetitive stress or repetitive motion, being exposed to constant vibration from machinery or tools, or remaining in the same position for hours
- Overexertion, like heat exhaustion or muscle fatigue
- Hearing loss from working in plants that are loud
- Struck-by accidents, like being struck by a falling object, unsecured equipment, or a vehicle
- Burns, either thermal or chemical
Legal Process for Manufacturing Plant Injury Claims
A manufacturing or industrial plant injury may be covered under the South Carolina workers’ compensation system, which provides medical care and partial wage replacement benefits for injured factory workers. Workers’ comp also provides a disability benefit, depending on the nature of the injury and whether it resulted in permanent impairment. Your lawyer can ensure that your injury is properly classified so you can receive maximum benefits.
If the workers’ compensation insurance company rejects a claim or tries to pay less in benefits than you deserve, your attorney can fight for a better deal through the review and appeals process.
Some manufacturing accidents may be caused by a third party – someone other than the employer. For example, if your plant has an outside subcontractor perform work on machinery and equipment, and they improperly complete the repair, it could malfunction and cause injury. In that case, you might be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent third party with the help of a manufacturing accident lawyer.
Another situation in which you could file a third-party lawsuit for compensation is if your injury was caused by a defective product. For example, suppose your plant got a bad batch of an ingredient that caused toxic fume exposure, and you became ill. In that case, you could file a third-party suit against the ingredient manufacturer.
In a third-party lawsuit, you can pursue not only money for the tangible losses you suffered, like medical bills and the full extent of lost wages from work, but also for your intangible losses, like emotional trauma, pain, and suffering.
Why You Should Choose Jebaily Law Firm for Your Industrial Injury Case
Victims of manufacturing accidents usually get only one shot to file a workers’ comp claim or personal injury lawsuit, so carefully choosing the right South Carolina factory injury law firm to represent you is critical.
Jebaily Law Firm was established in 1969 and, since then, has become one of the most well-respected law firms in the state. We focus on plaintiff litigation in cases of workers’ compensation and personal injury, keeping abreast of changes to South Carolina laws and judicial decisions. With more than 100 years of combined legal experience and millions of dollars secured in awards and settlements for our clients, you can trust our dedicated legal team to fight for maximum compensation for you.
Talk to Our SC Manufacturing Accident Lawyers Today
Do you want to learn more about your options for filing for workers’ compensation benefits and pursuing a third-party personal injury claim after an industrial accident? The experienced attorneys at Jebaily Law Firm represent injured workers just like you, fighting for your rights against large manufacturing conglomerates and insurance companies.
You can contact us today for a free consultation with one of our SC manufacturing accident attorneys.
