What happens during a workers compensation claim investigation in South Carolina?

Charleston, SC – Employers and insurance companies do a number of different things to ensure that workers making compensation claims have been legitimately hurt during their normal job duties. This helps protect their financial interests and prevent fraud, however it can also make the claim process more difficult for injured workers. There are a number of different parts to the investigation that workers should expect, and they should also be ready to answer several different questions about their injury and when it happened. 

The place of the accident

There may be some investigation of the physical space where the work injury happened. This is to make sure that the worker was actively working and that their account is feasible. The employer may also need to make changes to things like lighting, cleaning, and maintenance to prevent future incidents and losses. 

Interviewing other workers

When other people were present in the area, they may be able to corroborate the victim’s story and give a different perspective on any likely cause of the injury. The main benefit of having additional witnesses is that they tend to be impartial and likely to give an honest account. 

Determining the worker’s standard job duties

In order for a workers compensation claim to be paid out, the worker must have been actively working and engaged in their normal job related activities. This excludes situations where the person may have been fooling around or doing something out of the ordinary. If the employer cannot predict the type of actions that caused the injury, it is unlikely that they will be financially responsible.

Looking at the injury and doctor recommendations

The worker may have to give specific details about their injury, exactly how it happened, and any symptoms that resulted from the accident. It is also common for the insurance company and the employer to retain a doctor who can give an independent examination to prevent malingering or other problems associated with workers who fake injuries for pay. 

The history of both the worker and the workplace

If either the individual worker making the claim or the employer seem to have multiple issues with injuries, this could be a sign that there is a serious problem. The worker could have faked similar injuries in the past. It is also possible that the employer needs to make serious changes if their workers are getting hurt regularly.  

Help from a workers compensation attorney

The Clekis Law Firm focuses on workers compensation claims and related issues in the Charleston area. Potential clients who have been injured at work can contact the firm to schedule an initial meeting. 

Firm contact info:

The Clekis Law Firm

171 Church St., Charleston SC, 29401

[email protected]

843-900-0000

clekis.com