Columbia Workers' Compensation Lawyer

Legally Reviewed by, Stephen Suggs: Jan 30, 2026

Did you sustain a serious injury while on the job in Columbia? You may need legal assistance to ensure you pursue all the benefits you are entitled to under the law. The Columbia workers’ compensation lawyers at Stewart Law Offices represent injured workers in workers’ compensation claims. We help victims navigate the claims process and secure the benefits they deserve when a workplace injury impacts their life and livelihood.

Our legal team includes Stephen Suggs, a South Carolina Bar licensed attorney with more than 25 years of experience representing injured workers throughout Columbia and Richland County.

South Carolina Workers’ Compensation law provides that an individual who is injured on the job has the right to recover compensation for any medical bills, partial replacement of lost wages, and disability benefits. An employee is not required to prove that an employer was at fault or contributed to a victim’s injuries to receive benefits.

Watch this video to learn about your workers’ compensation rights after a work injury in Columbia, SC.

Businesses that employ four or more workers are required to obtain workers’ compensation insurance. Sometimes, employers may argue for reduced benefits or deny a claim altogether. Injured workers should make sure that they have legal representation if this happens so they can fight to receive the full amount of compensation they need.

Do I Need a Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Columbia?

A lawyer can be essential to many parts of the workers’ compensation process. For example, workers’ compensation commissioners with the WCC may conduct a hearing to resolve disputes between you and your employer or their insurance carrier. You may also need to request a hearing if your employer does not report your accident, denies that your injury was caused by an accident on the job, or believes you are not receiving the full amount of benefits.

An experienced lawyer will know what kind of evidence is needed to be submitted to help you resolve your claim successfully. They will have knowledge about all of the different forms that must be completed and can help you avoid many of the oversights and errors that create lengthy delays.

If you are offered a lump sum settlement to resolve your workers’ compensation case, a lawyer can work to negotiate a full and fair settlement on your behalf. The attorney can fight for a settlement that truly accounts for all of your past, present, and future needs.

If you suffered a serious injury on the job, contact our injury lawyers for help with your workers’ compensation claim. Stewart Law Office assists clients with complex workplace injury claims.

Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits Available in South Carolina

South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system provides several types of benefits to injured workers. Understanding what you’re entitled to helps ensure you receive full compensation.

Medical Benefits

Workers’ compensation covers all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your work injury, including:

• Emergency room care and ambulance transportation
• Doctor visits and specialist consultations
• Hospital stays and surgical procedures
• Prescription medications
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Medical equipment (crutches, wheelchairs, braces)
• Mileage reimbursement for medical appointments

You should not pay out-of-pocket for any medical care related to your workplace injury. If you are being billed, contact an attorney immediately.

Temporary Total Disability Benefits

If you are completely unable to work while recovering, you are entitled to temporary total disability (TTD) benefits equal to two-thirds (66⅔%) of your average weekly wage, subject to the state maximum of $1,134.43 per week (effective January 1, 2025). These benefits continue until you:

• Return to work
• Reach maximum medical improvement (MMI)
• Reach the 500-week maximum benefit period

Temporary Partial Disability Benefits

If you can return to work but earn less due to injury-related restrictions, you may receive temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits equal to two-thirds of the difference between your pre-injury and post-injury wages, subject to the state maximum, for up to 500 weeks.

Permanent Partial Disability Benefits

When your injury results in permanent impairment, you receive compensation based on:

• The body part affected (scheduled injuries have specific week values under S.C. Code § 42-9-30)
• Your degree of impairment (determined by medical evaluation)
• Your average weekly wage

Examples of scheduled benefits (partial list from § 42-9-30):

• Loss of a hand: 185 weeks
• Loss of a foot: 140 weeks
• Loss of an eye: 140 weeks

For unscheduled injuries (e.g., back, neck), benefits are based on the impairment rating and may be paid for up to 300 weeks (or 500 weeks if loss of use is 50% or greater, with a rebuttable presumption of total disability).

Permanent Total Disability Benefits

If your injury leaves you completely unable to perform any gainful employment, you may receive permanent total disability (PTD) benefits at two-thirds of your average weekly wage (subject to the $1,178.30  weekly cap as of January 1, 2026) for life.

Death Benefits

If a workplace accident results in a worker’s death, surviving dependents may receive:

• Two-thirds of the deceased worker’s average weekly wage for up to 500 weeks (or lifetime in certain cases)
• Up to $12,000 for burial expenses
• Distribution according to South Carolina’s dependency rules

Vocational Rehabilitation

If you cannot return to your previous job due to permanent restrictions, South Carolina workers’ compensation may provide vocational rehabilitation services, including:

• Job retraining programs
• Job placement assistance
• Career counseling
• Educational programs

These services are provided when they are reasonable and necessary to restore earning capacity.

What If My Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied?

Claim denials are frustratingly common, even for legitimate workplace injuries. Insurance companies deny claims to minimize costs, not because your case lacks merit.

Common Reasons for Denial

• Missed Deadlines: Failing to notify your employer within 90 days of the injury (or when you knew or should have known it was work-related) or failing to file the formal claim within two years from the date of injury (different rules may apply for occupational diseases or repetitive trauma).
• Lack of Medical Evidence: Insufficient documentation linking your injury directly to work activities.
• Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurers arguing the condition existed before the workplace incident.
• Disputed Work-Relatedness: Claims that the injury did not arise out of and in the course of employment.
• Independent Contractor Classification: Disputes claiming you were not an employee.
• Intoxication Claims: Allegations that impairment caused the injury (intoxication defense may bar recovery if proven to be the proximate cause).
• Horseplay or Policy Violations: Arguments that you were engaged in non-work activities or violated safety rules.

Steps to Take After a Denial

If your claim is denied, don’t panic. A denial is not final, and most can be appealed. Ask for the denial in writing so you understand the reason. Contact a Columbia workers’ compensation lawyer quickly, because strict deadlines apply to appeals. Strengthen your case by gathering evidence such as medical records, witness statements, photos, expert opinions, and employment documents. You can also file a Form 50 to request a hearing before a workers’ compensation commissioner.

Visit Our Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Columbia

Tips for Obtaining Workers’ Compensation Benefits Successfully in Columbia

Every workplace accident involves its own unique factors, but everyone should take certain steps following any kind of on-the-job injury.

When you are involved in an accident at your place of employment, you should:

1. Report the Accident

You need to file a report with your employer as soon as possible after an accident, and a report must be filed within 90 days for you to receive benefits. You should make your report in writing and keep a copy of the report for your records. Immediately notify your supervisor or HR department, even if your injury seems minor. Delaying your report can give the insurance company grounds to deny your claim.

2. Get Medical Care

You should always seek medical treatment after an accident, even if you initially do not think that you were hurt. This is essential to show that your injuries were caused directly by your workplace accident. If you receive care from your employer’s chosen medical care provider, the costs of your treatment should be covered by the employer. You have the right to receive care from your own personal physician, but this may not be automatically covered. For more information read if you can choose your own doctor.

3. Collect Evidence

Take pictures of the scene of your accident, especially any extenuating circumstances that may be quickly fixed. If you are unable to do this, ask a coworker to do so for you. Make sure you have the contact information of any co-workers who saw your accident.

4. File the Proper Forms

You will have to file a First Report of Injury (WCC Form 12-A), and you may also need to file Form 50 or Form 52. Your employer is also responsible for completing certain forms and submitting them to the insurer and the WCC, but you may need assistance making sure that all of the necessary forms have been filed correctly.

5. Contact an Attorney

Do not wait to get help from Stewart Law Offices. Our lawyers will be able to offer help immediately to recover all of the benefits that you could be eligible to receive. Time limits are very important in most workplace accident claims. In addition to the 90-day requirement for reporting an accident to your employer, you are also subject to a two-year statute of limitations on your claim for workers’ compensation benefits.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Even minor errors can jeopardize your claim or reduce your benefits. Avoid these common mistakes:

1. Delaying Medical Treatment

Waiting to see a doctor creates doubt about whether your injury is serious or work-related. Seek medical attention immediately, even if you think the injury is minor.

2. Not Reporting the Injury Promptly

Failing to notify your employer within 90 days can result in complete denial of benefits. Report every work injury right away, no matter how minor it seems.

3. Giving Inconsistent Statements

Insurance companies look for contradictions between: 

• What you told your doctor 
• What you reported to your employer What you said to the insurance adjuster
• What witnesses say happened

Be honest and consistent in all communications.

4. Posting on Social Media

Insurance companies routinely monitor claimants’ social media. A photo of you at a family barbecue doesn’t mean you’re not injured, but adjusters will use it to argue you’re not as hurt as you claim. Avoid social media posts about your injury, activities, or claim.

5. Not Following Doctor’s Orders

Missing appointments, skipping physical therapy, or ignoring restrictions gives insurers ammunition to deny your claim. Follow all medical advice precisely.

6. Giving a Recorded Statement Without Legal Counsel

Insurance adjusters may ask you to give a recorded statement. These can be used against you. Politely decline and contact our attorneys first.

7. Accepting a Quick Settlement

Early settlement offers are almost always far below your claim’s true value. Don’t sign anything without having an attorney review the offer.

8. Failing to Document Everything

Keep copies of: – All medical records and bills – Correspondence with your employer and insurer – Photos of your injuries and the accident scene – Witness contact information – A journal documenting your pain, limitations, and how the injury affects your life

9. Working While Receiving Total Disability Benefits

If you’re receiving temporary total disability benefits, you cannot work, even in a different job. Working while claiming total disability can result in fraud charges and loss of all benefits.

10. Not Hiring an Attorney Soon Enough

Many injured workers try to handle claims themselves, only to call an attorney after serious mistakes have already been made. Get legal help early to protect your rights from the start.

How Long Do I Have to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

You generally have two years from the date of an accident to file a workers’ compensation claim. Injuries can become more complicated when they take several months or years to develop, such as repetitive trauma injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. In such cases, a person has two years from the date that they knew or should have known they suffered such an injury.

Repetitive trauma injuries are frequently some of the most difficult kinds of injuries to recover workers’ compensation for because employers aggressively challenge most benefits. These injuries cause very real limitations for victims and workers’ compensation benefits may be available. A lawyer can fight to make sure you are justly compensated in this situation.

How Our Columbia Workers’ Comp Law Firm Can Help

Our lawyers are prepared to conduct an exhaustive and thorough investigation of your accident. We will not only collect important evidence, but we will review the cause of your accident to determine if any additional non-employer third parties could be liable for your injuries.

In some cases, victims may be able to pursue third-party actions in addition to their underlying workers’ compensation claims. These could include lawsuits against the manufacturers of defective machine parts or the drivers of other motor vehicles, for example.

Contact Our Columbia Workers’ Compensation Attorneys For Help

With over 30 years of experience, our Columbia workers’ compensation attorneys have guided hundreds of injured workers across South Carolina, securing millions in settlements and hearing awards. Many workplace accidents involve several complicated elements, and it is easy for a person to be overwhelmed by the challenges of collecting all of the necessary evidence to support their workers’ compensation claims.

You do not have to handle all of these demands on your own. Contact our workers’ comp lawyers today to make sure you do not miss any deadlines or form entries that can cause potential delays or worse a denied claim. Stewart Law Offices has been helping employees who have been hurt on the job for more than two decades. You can have one of our lawyers review your case when you call us or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.