Burn injuries sustained at work can change your life instantly. You may have suffered a thermal burn from flames, a chemical burn from workplace materials, or an electrical burn from faulty equipment. The physical and financial consequences can be overwhelming. Medical bills can accumulate quickly, and if you cannot work during recovery, lost wages add to the burden. Goings Law Firm, LLC understands the challenges you may face after a burn injury and helps injured workers throughout South Carolina pursue workers’ compensation benefits under state law.
Why Choose Goings Law Firm, LLC for Your Burn Injury Claim
When you suffer a burn injury at work, it is important to have a legal team that understands both the medical aspects of burn injuries and South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system. Goings Law Firm, LLC has experience handling workers’ compensation cases for injured employees across the state, including claims involving burn injuries and their long-term effects.
“The thing about burn cases that gets overlooked is the long tail. Everyone focuses on the acute injury, but a serious burn keeps demanding medical attention for months and sometimes years. The carriers know this creates leverage for them—they’re betting the worker will settle early just to avoid the uncertainty. That’s where knowing what the law actually requires becomes critical.”
— Christian E. Boesl, Workers’ Compensation Attorney, Goings Law Firm, LLC
The firm works on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay fees up front. Attorney’s fees are only collected if there is a recovery in your case. This arrangement allows you to focus on your medical recovery while the legal team handles the claim process. Goings Law Firm, LLC offers a free consultation to discuss your situation, answer questions about workers’ compensation, and explain potential next steps.
Types of Burn Injuries We Handle
Burn injuries take different forms depending on the source of heat, electricity, or chemical exposure. Goings Law Firm, LLC represents workers who have suffered a range of burns in workplace incidents.
Thermal burns can result from direct contact with flames, hot surfaces, steam, or hot liquids and are common in kitchens, manufacturing facilities, and construction sites. Chemical burns may occur when workers are exposed to corrosive substances used in industrial settings, laboratories, or cleaning operations. Electrical burns can happen when workers contact live electrical lines or malfunctioning equipment. Radiation-related burns may arise in some medical or industrial environments that use radiation sources. Friction burns may develop from contact with moving machinery or surfaces that generate significant heat through friction.
What Compensation Can You Receive
South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system is generally designed to provide benefits to covered employees who suffer work-related injuries, regardless of fault. If your burn injury occurred in the course and scope of your employment, you may be eligible for several types of benefits.
Medical expenses can include necessary treatment related to your burn injury, such as emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and follow-up appointments. Except in emergencies, treatment usually must be authorized by the employer or its insurance carrier, and the employer typically has the right to select the authorized treating physician. Future medical coverage may depend on how your claim is resolved or settled, so it is important to understand any settlement’s effect on ongoing treatment rights.
Wage replacement benefits may provide a portion of your lost income when you are unable to work because of your burn injury. Rehabilitation services can include physical or occupational therapy and other services intended to help you regain function. In cases where a burn injury causes lasting impairment, permanent disability benefits may be available. In addition, South Carolina law may allow compensation for certain permanent scarring or disfigurement, particularly when it affects visible areas of the body and impacts quality of life or employment prospects.
The Workers’ Compensation Claim Process in South Carolina
Understanding the workers’ compensation process can help you know what to expect. The process generally begins when you promptly report your burn injury to your employer. Employers that meet statutory thresholds must carry workers’ compensation insurance and are responsible for reporting covered injuries to their carrier.
After reporting the injury, you should seek appropriate medical care and follow treatment recommendations. Your employer or the insurer will typically provide claim forms or instructions. Once the claim is submitted, the insurance company reviews medical records, accident information, and other documentation to determine whether the injury is compensable and which benefits apply.
If your claim is accepted, you may begin receiving medical and wage replacement benefits according to South Carolina law. If the insurer denies the claim or offers benefits you believe are insufficient, you have the right to request a hearing before the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission to have your dispute reviewed.
How Goings Law Firm, LLC Can Help Your Case
Recovering from a serious burn injury is demanding, and managing a workers’ compensation claim at the same time can be stressful. Goings Law Firm, LLC can handle legal and procedural steps while you focus on healing.
The firm can investigate the circumstances of your burn injury and ensure that important facts are documented. It can obtain medical records and work with treating physicians or specialists to explain the severity and long-term effects of your injuries. The legal team manages communications with the insurance company, responds to requests for information, and negotiates on your behalf. If your claim is denied or the extent of your injuries is disputed, Goings Law Firm, LLC can represent you in hearings or appeals before the Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a workers' compensation claim for a burn injury in South Carolina?
You should report your burn injury to your employer as soon as possible, and ideally within 90 days of the accident. In many cases, you have up to two years from the date of injury (or other specific triggering events) to file a formal workers’ compensation claim. Because there can be exceptions and nuances, it is wise to consult an attorney promptly to make sure you understand and meet all applicable deadlines.
What if my employer doesn't have workers' compensation insurance?
South Carolina generally requires employers with a certain number of employees to maintain workers’ compensation coverage. If your employer was required to have coverage but did not, you may have additional avenues for seeking benefits, including potential recourse through state-administered funds or other legal claims. Goings Law Firm, LLC can review your circumstances and advise you about possible options.
Can I sue my employer for a burn injury?
Workers’ compensation is typically the exclusive remedy against an employer for covered work injuries, meaning you usually cannot bring a standard negligence lawsuit against your employer. However, limited exceptions may exist, such as intentional harm, and you may also have separate claims against third parties (for example, a negligent equipment manufacturer or an outside contractor) whose actions contributed to your injury. An attorney can help evaluate whether any third-party claims are available.
What if my workers' compensation claim is denied?
If your claim is denied, you can request a hearing before the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission to challenge the decision. At the hearing, you can present medical evidence, testimony, and legal arguments. Goings Law Firm, LLC can assist by strengthening the evidentiary record, preparing your case, and advocating on your behalf before the Commission.
How much does it cost to hire Goings Law Firm, LLC?
In workers’ compensation cases, Goings Law Firm, LLC typically works on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay attorney’s fees upfront; instead, fees are generally paid as a percentage of the benefits obtained, subject to approval by the Commission. This structure allows injured workers to pursue claims without having to pay hourly legal fees during their recovery.
How long will my workers' compensation case take?
The length of a workers’ compensation case depends on several factors, including the severity of the injury, how quickly you reach maximum medical improvement, and whether the insurer disputes any part of the claim. Some straightforward cases may resolve within a few months, while more complex cases involving disagreements over permanent disability or future medical treatment can take longer and may require hearings.
Contact Goings Law Firm, LLC for a Free Consultation
If you suffered a burn injury at work in South Carolina, consider speaking with a lawyer about your rights and options. Goings Law Firm, LLC offers a free consultation to discuss your workers’ compensation claim. Call (803) 350-9230 today to talk with the team about your situation. There is no obligation, and you can get answers to your questions about the workers’ compensation process and potential next steps.
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