Everyday across America people are injured on the job. Sure, accidents happen, but what happens if you are injured on the job? Maybe you suffer from a small injury, such as a cut or bruise. Maybe it is something more severe, such as a broken arm or injured back. Or worse?

Obviously, one of the first things that you are concerned about is getting better, which involves medical care. Soon afterwards you'll realize that it goes beyond that. An on-the-job injury can cause you to lose wages that you and your family depend on, making it difficult or impossible to pay the bills. You might not be able to work in the type of setting that you did ever again, based on the seriousness of your injury.

Workers' compensation began in the early 1900s. The idea is that employers pay for occupational injuries regardless of whose fault it is. By assuming these costs up front, via insurance companies, employers don't become engaged in law suits from employees working to prove the company's so the injured employee can get compensated for medical treatment, disability, and lost time.

During the course of your job, if you are injured, within 90 days you must report the injury to your employer. You should be sure to report the injury in writing so that you can prove that the injury occurred later on in your case. Your employer is required to refer you to a doctor and to let their insurance company know that you have been injured. After that, the insurance company notifies the SC Workers' Compensation Commission (WCC).

In accordance with South Carolina law, the majority of businesses with four or more employees are required to have workers' compensation insurance. It is through this insurance that you, as the injured employee, receive medical care and reimbursement for lost wages and any resulting disability. Unfortunately it is not always as simple as it seems.

Your employer the workers' compensation insurance company, are motivated to keep their costs to a minimum. For example, they may make you see the doctor that the insurance company of your employer uses. You must submit forms to the insurance company to prove any out-of-pocket costs, including mileage to and from your doctor's appointments. You must also keep track of and be able to prove the wages that you would have made if you had not suffered the injury. It is disappointing, but regardless of how good your relationship was with your employer prior to the accident, sometimes conflicts arise.

It would be in your best interest to seek an experienced workers' compensation attorney to defend your rights. Usually, South Carolina workers' compensation lawyers offer a free consultation and then work on a contingency fee basis so that you do not have to pay for any of the lawyer's fees yourself if you do not win.