Bluffton Workers' Compensation Lawyers Fighting for Injured Workers
Legal Help for Construction, Retail, Healthcare, and Service Industry Workers Hurt on the Job
Bluffton's building boom and commercial expansion keep thousands of workers active on construction sites, in warehouses, in retail stores, and in healthcare facilities every day. Workplace injuries in these environments can be devastating — and the workers' compensation process isn't always as straightforward as it should be.
Twenge + Twombley Law Firm guides injured workers throughout Bluffton and Beaufort County through the system and fights when claims are delayed, disputed, or unfairly denied.
You don't have to navigate the South Carolina workers' comp process alone. We handle the paperwork, the hearings, and the insurance company — so you can focus on recovery.
FAQs About Workers' Compensation in Bluffton
- What are the most common workplace injuries in Bluffton?
- What should I do if I'm hurt at work in Bluffton?
- Does it matter if the accident was partly my fault?
- What benefits am I entitled to under South Carolina workers' compensation?
- What if my employer says I'm an independent contractor?
- My workers' comp claim was denied. What can I do?
- Can I choose my own doctor for a workers' comp injury?
- What is a functional capacity evaluation?
- Can I pursue a third-party claim in addition to workers' comp?
- How much does it cost to hire a workers' compensation attorney in Bluffton?
What Are the Most Common Workplace Injuries in Bluffton?
Bluffton's construction-heavy economy and active commercial sector create a specific injury profile:
+ Contact Us Today- Falls from heights: Falls from scaffolding, ladders, and elevated work areas are among the most serious and common construction site injuries.
- Struck-by incidents: Being hit by falling objects, moving equipment, or vehicles on construction sites causes severe injuries every year.
- Overexertion and lifting injuries: Back and spinal injuries from heavy lifting are common in construction, warehousing, and retail.
- Equipment and machinery accidents: Power tool injuries, forklift accidents, and machinery entanglement incidents occur across multiple industries.
- Slip and fall injuries at work: Wet floors, uneven surfaces, and cluttered work areas cause falls in restaurants, retail stores, and healthcare facilities.
What Should I Do If I'm Hurt at Work in Bluffton?
- Report the injury to your employer immediately. South Carolina requires reporting within 90 days, but the sooner the better. Delayed reporting can create credibility issues.
- Seek medical care through the authorized provider. Your employer or their insurer has the right to direct your initial care. Following that process protects your benefits.
- Document everything. Write down exactly what happened, what you were doing, what caused the injury, and who witnessed it.
- Keep records. Save every medical bill, correspondence, and document related to your claim.
- Contact a workers' compensation attorney before giving any recorded statement to the insurance adjuster.
Does It Matter If the Accident Was Partly My Fault?
No. South Carolina's workers' compensation system is no-fault. You are entitled to benefits regardless of whether you made a mistake that contributed to the accident. The only exceptions involve injuries caused by intoxication or intentional self-harm.
Even if your employer or their insurer suggests that your own actions caused the injury, that is generally not grounds for denial. If your claim is being denied on those grounds, contact us.
What Benefits Am I Entitled To Under South Carolina Workers' Compensation?
- Medical benefits: All reasonable medical treatment for the work injury, paid for by the employer's insurer
- Temporary total disability (TTD): Approximately two-thirds of your average weekly wage while you are completely unable to work
- Temporary partial disability (TPD): A partial wage replacement if you return to light duty at reduced pay
- Permanent partial disability (PPD): A scheduled benefit for permanent impairment to specific body parts
- Permanent total disability: Long-term benefits if your injury prevents you from returning to any gainful employment
- Death benefits: Payments to surviving dependents and burial expense reimbursement if a worker dies from a work-related injury
What If My Employer Says I'm an Independent Contractor?
The independent contractor classification is sometimes applied incorrectly, or deliberately misapplied, to avoid providing workers' compensation coverage. The legal test looks at the actual nature of the working relationship, not just what a contract says.
Factors suggesting you may actually be an employee include: working under supervision, following set hours, using employer-provided equipment, and performing work central to the employer's business. If you've been told you're a contractor, contact us. We evaluate these situations regularly.
+ Contact Us TodayMy Workers' Comp Claim Was Denied. What Can I Do?
A denial is not the end. You have the right to appeal through the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission. The appeals process involves:
- Filing a Form 50 (Request for Hearing) with the Commission
- A hearing before a single Commissioner where both sides present evidence
- If necessary, a further appeal to the Appellate Panel of the Commission
- Appeal to the South Carolina Court of Appeals and beyond, if needed
Our attorneys handle Commission hearings regularly. We gather the medical evidence, obtain expert opinions, and present your case effectively. Contact us to discuss your denied claim.
Can I Choose My Own Doctor for a Workers' Comp Injury?
In most cases, your employer or their insurance carrier has the right to select your treating physician initially. Seeing an unauthorized provider first can jeopardize your claim.
However, if the authorized physician's care is inadequate or they are releasing you before your recovery is complete, there are formal procedures for requesting a change of physician. We can advise you on those options.
What Is a Functional Capacity Evaluation?
A functional capacity evaluation (FCE) is a formal assessment of your physical abilities, how much you can lift, how long you can stand, what activities you can perform. Insurance carriers often order an FCE to decide whether to release you to work and what permanent impairment rating to assign.
The results can significantly affect your benefits. It's important to understand what the evaluation measures and how to challenge results that don't fairly reflect your limitations. Our attorneys can help you prepare and respond appropriately.
+ Contact Us TodayCan I Pursue a Third-Party Claim in Addition to Workers' Comp?
Yes, in certain situations. Workers' comp is your exclusive remedy against your employer, but it doesn't prevent you from suing a third party whose negligence contributed to your injury. Common third-party scenarios include:
- Defective equipment: A product liability claim against the manufacturer if a tool or machine failed
- Negligent contractor: A claim against another company on a multi-employer job site
- Vehicle accident: A personal injury claim if you were hurt in a vehicle crash while working
- Property owner negligence: A premises liability claim if a third party's property conditions contributed to your injury
A third-party claim can recover pain and suffering and other financial compensation (damages) that workers' comp does not provide. We evaluate every workplace injury case for these additional avenues.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Workers' Compensation Attorney in Bluffton?
We handle workers' compensation cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing up front. Our fee is a percentage of the benefits we recover for you. If we don't win your case, you owe nothing.
Stand Up for Your Rights as an Injured Worker
Workplace injuries can derail your income, your career, and your health. You shouldn't have to fight the insurance system alone. If you were hurt on the job in Bluffton or anywhere in Beaufort County, contact Twenge + Twombley today. Your consultation is free and there's no obligation.
Twenge + Twombley. Rare name. Remarkable service. Real results.