If you or someone you love was injured during the course of employment in South Carolina, state law requires that its injured workers are provided certain benefits and compensation for their injuries. The actual amount of your claim depends on the facts of your case, and the determinations made by a licensed physician as to the extent and cause of your injuries. To learn more or discuss your case, consult with a Hampton workers’ compensation lawyer today.
Continuous Trauma vs. Specific Trauma
There are two types of injuries that may be alleged in a workers’ compensation claim: continuous trauma (CT) and specific trauma (ST). You can have multiple claims for either type of injury; however, every injury falls into one of these two categories.
A continuous trauma is an injury that results from a prolonged period of repetitive activity. A common example is carpal tunnel syndrome or shoulder and back injuries from continuous lifting. The main distinction with a continuous trauma is that you cannot attribute your injury to any single day. Continuous trauma claims can also include psychological problems from stress and anxiety caused by your work environment.
The second type of claim in a workers’ comp case is for a specific trauma. A specific trauma is an injury that results from a specific accident. Causes of ST injuries include:
- A bookcase falling down on you
- Cutting off your fingers on a table saw
- Slipping and falling on a slick surface
- Electrocution
- A light fixture falling on you
What to Do if Injured at Work
If you’ve been injured on the job in Hampton, there are some important steps that you should take to protect your claim. First, you should give notice of your injury to your supervisor (report the injury). Second, you should file your claim within the statute of limitations. Generally, the sooner you file your claim, the better. If you are unsure whether you still have time to file, you should contact a Hampton workers’ comp attorney to discuss your claim.
Common Mistakes with Claims
We cannot stress the importance of having an experienced Hampton workers’ compensation lawyer helping you with your claim, but how you handle your claim is your own decision. Below are some of the common mistakes that can affect the outcome of your claim.
- Not giving your employer notice of your injury
- Only reporting your injury to your doctor
- Not reporting your injury because you don’t think you have a claim
- Not reporting your injury because it didn’t happen at a specific time
- Not making a claim because you think your injury is covered by your health insurance
There are many more mistakes that can be made after your claim is filed, which is why it’s even more important that you have an experienced WC lawyer working on your case.
Contacting a Lawyer in Hampton
Christmas Law Firm can help you deal with the complex process of filing and proceeding with a workers’ comp claim. If you or someone you love has been injured in the workplace, contact a Hampton workers’ compensation lawyer today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you with your workers’ compensation claim. We look forward to serving you.
