South Carolina Third-Party Liability Claim Lawyer

South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system is a valuable financial lifeline for people who get hurt on the job, but there are certain workplace accident losses it does not cover. Fortunately, injured workers often can seek additional compensation from third parties aside from their employer or a co-worker who caused their injury, such as an at-fault driver or the manufacturer of defective equipment. 

Unlike no-fault workers’ compensation claims, third-party personal injury claims in South Carolina require injured workers to prove fault to recover compensation. That can be difficult without legal representation.

The Melonakos Law Firm represents injured South Carolina workers in third-party liability claims over workplace injuries. Our personal injury lawyers are ready to investigate the workplace accident that injured you to see if you qualify for additional compensation in a third-party liability claim. If so, we’ll handle all the legal work in your case, giving you the time and space you need to heal without additional stress. 

Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation about all your legal options after an on-the-job injury.

Top Reasons to Select Our SC Third-Party Claim Lawyers

At The Melonakos Law Firm, we understand how complex third-party liability claims can be. Our team has over a decade of experience handling personal injury and workers’ compensation cases, giving us a deep understanding of how these areas of law intersect. Additionally, we maintain a smaller caseload to ensure you receive personalized attention and direct communication with your attorney throughout your case.

Here’s what one of our past clients said about working with us: 

“Mike navigated my case in a way that left me nothing short of satisfied! He knows his profession very well! Every profession needs individuals like Mike! He knew how to deal with very difficult, deceptive and dismissive Insurance adjusters, and Mike got me what I deserved. I admire, commend and recommend his work ethic.” — Klaus

With a proven track record of recovering more than $30 million for clients, we are committed to pursuing maximum compensation for all your losses from every available source. Our third-party lawsuit attorneys’ background in insurance defense gives us unique insight into how insurance companies operate, allowing us to build a stronger case on your behalf. 

We also work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay any legal fees unless and until we recover compensation for you. Let us fight for the money you need to rebuild your life after a severe workplace injury.

What Is a Third-Party Liability Claim?

To better understand third-party claims in the work injury arena, it helps to know a little about workers’ compensation cases in South Carolina.

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system that requires most South Carolina businesses to provide certain benefits for workers who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. Employers must provide these benefits for eligible workers, and hurt or sick workers do not need to prove fault to claim their benefits. For injured or ill workers, the trade-off for having access to no-fault benefits is that they cannot sue their employers or co-workers in most circumstances.

A third-party injury claim is an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit an injured worker files against someone other than their employer or co-workers whose negligence caused their injuries. Unlike workers’ compensation claims, injured workers must prove fault to recover compensation for their injuries and other losses in a third-party claim. 

Working with our experienced third-party workers’ compensation claims attorney gives injured workers a better chance of recovering the money they need from both workers’ compensation claims and any potential personal injury claims.

Common Scenarios for Third-Party Claims for South Carolina Workplace Injuries

Someone other than an employer or co-worker can cause a work-related injury in many ways, such as the following examples:

• Car accidents while on the job – Workers injured in motor vehicle accidents while performing job-related tasks can seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
• Construction site accidents – Non-employer contractors or subcontractors who fail to follow safety protocols and create hazardous conditions may be responsible for injuries they cause.
• Defective equipment or tools – Manufacturers of faulty machinery, tools, or safety equipment that malfunction and cause injuries could be liable for their defective equipment.
• Slips and falls on third-party property – For example, if a delivery driver slips on unsafe property owned by someone other than their employer, the property owner may be liable under premises liability law.
• Harm caused by vendors or service providers – Vendors working alongside employees may act negligently and cause an accident or create hazardous conditions at a job site.
• Exposure to toxic substances – Injuries resulting from exposure to harmful chemicals or materials manufactured or supplied by a third party may lead to a claim against that company.
• Scaffolding or ladder failures – Injuries due to faulty scaffolding or ladders can lead to third-party liability claims if someone other than an employer or co-worker made or set up the ladder or scaffolding.
• Utility company negligence – Injuries caused by power line failures, gas leaks, or other hazards stemming from utility company errors can make the utility company liable for a worker’s injuries.
• Workplace violence by non-employees – If an injury results from an assault by a non-employee while an employee is working, the aggressor may be liable.

How Third-Party Claims Differ from Workers’ Compensation

Two crucial differences exist between workers’ compensation claims and third-party injury claims. The first is that while injured workers do not have to prove fault to claim workers’ comp benefits, they must prove fault to win a third-party injury claim. The second essential difference is that third-party injury claims allow injured workers to seek compensation for a broader range of losses than workers’ comp covers, including non-economic damages and the full extent of lost income.

Types of Additional Compensation Potentially Available in a Third-Party Claims in SC

A third-party injury claim lets you seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• The full amount of your lost income, whereas workers’ comp covers only up to two-thirds of your average weekly wages
• Diminished future earning capacity
• Your pain and suffering
• Your emotional distress
• Your reduced enjoyment of life
• The cost to repair or replace your damaged personal property

How Our South Carolina Workplace Injury Attorneys Can Help You Seek Maximum Compensation

Your priority after sustaining a workplace injury is to rest and heal. Our South Carolina third-party injury claim lawyers can handle all aspects of your legal case, from investigating the accident and identifying potentially liable third parties to filing insurance claims and negotiating on your behalf for a fair settlement. We can consult doctors and other experts to determine the full extent of your losses and maximize your claim’s value. If necessary, we can file a personal injury lawsuit and take your case to trial, where we’ll handle all the legal proceedings for you.

Don’t discount your chance of seeking additional compensation for a work-related injury through a potential third-party claim. Call The Melonakos Law Firm now or reach out online for a free case evaluation.