South Carolina Construction Accident Lawyers

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Working in construction is demanding and often dangerous. You expect challenges, but a serious injury on the job site can be life-altering. If you’ve been hurt in a construction accident in South Carolina, you may feel overwhelmed with medical bills, lost wages, and uncertainty about your future.

Joye Law Firm understands the toll these accidents take on workers and their families. Our workers’ compensation construction injury lawyers in South Carolina are here to help you with the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Since 1968, we’ve helped injured workers rebuild their lives. Whether you need help securing workers’ compensation benefits, pursuing a third-party lawsuit, or understanding your legal rights, Joye Law Firm is ready to stand by your side.

Construction Accident Statistics in South Carolina

Construction remains one of the most dangerous industries nationwide, and South Carolina is no exception. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:


2,100 cases of injuries and illnesses were reported in South Carolina in a single year.	Falls from heights are the leading cause of fatal construction accidents.

Over 500 safety violations were issued in South Carolina workplaces in a single year.

These numbers highlight the daily risks construction workers face and the importance of holding employers and third parties accountable.

Common Injuries On Construction Sites

Construction workers face some of the most hazardous conditions in any industry. When safety measures fail or are ignored, workers often pay the price with severe injuries, including:

Head Injuries — Falls from ladders, scaffolds, and roofs frequently cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Even when workers wear hard hats and helmets, the impact of a fall or being struck by a heavy object can lead to lasting brain damage.

Crush Injuries — These injuries happen when workers are caught between heavy machinery, walls, or other large objects. Crush injuries can result in permanent disability, amputations, or even death.

Back and Spinal Cord Injuries: Falls, heavy lifting, and accidents involving equipment often lead to spinal damage. These injuries can cause chronic pain, paralysis, or an inability to return to work.

Loss of Limbs — Construction site injuries involving heavy machinery, falling debris, or tools like saws can result in the loss of a limb. Amputations are life-changing, often making it impossible to continue in construction work.

Repetitive Motion Injuries — The constant use of vibrating tools like jackhammers or repetitive tasks can cause debilitating stress injuries. Workers often suffer nerve damage or chronic pain, making everyday tasks difficult.

Root Causes of Construction Accidents

person filling a work injury claim form

Understanding how an accident happened is critical to building a strong case. Common root causes include:

Unsafe Conditions: A hazard, like an unsecured trench or defective equipment, that wasn’t addressed before work began.
Negligence: Workers or subcontractors who fail to follow safety protocols put others at risk.
Inadequate Training: Employers who fail to properly train workers on equipment and safety procedures often contribute to accidents.

Who Provides Compensation for a Construction Injury?

Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may have multiple options for pursuing compensation. These typically include workers’ compensation and, in some cases, third-party personal injury claims. Working with an attorney who understands how these systems work and interact is crucial to maximizing your recovery.

Workers’ Compensation for Construction Injuries

In South Carolina, most employers are required to provide workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning you don’t need to prove that your employer was negligent to qualify for benefits. You’re generally entitled to compensation as long as your injury occurred while performing your job duties.

Workers’ compensation benefits may include:

Medical Expenses: Coverage for emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and other necessary medical care.
Wage Replacement: Partial reimbursement of lost wages while you recover.
Medical Travel Costs: Reimbursement for travel for medical treatment more than 5 miles from your home. You can receive reimbursement for the mileage you use to get to and from the facility, the cost of using public transportation, and the cost of reasonable overnight lodging and meals.
Permanent Disability: Compensation for long-term or permanent injuries that affect your ability to work.

While workers’ compensation provides critical financial support, it may not cover all your losses. For example, workers’ comp doesn’t account for pain and suffering or the full extent of lost future earnings.

Additionally, disputes can arise over the cause of your injury, the benefits you’re entitled to, or even your eligibility for compensation. Having an experienced lawyer to advocate for you is essential in these cases.

Third-Party Claims for Construction Accidents

In some cases, your injuries may have been caused by someone other than your employer or co-workers. When this happens, you may be eligible to file a third-party claim against the at-fault party. These claims can provide compensation beyond what workers’ comp offers, including damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of future earning potential.

Examples of third-party liability in construction accidents include:

Negligent Contractors: A subcontractor failed to secure a worksite, leading to hazardous conditions like a fatal fall or serious injury.
Defective Products: A manufacturer provided faulty equipment, such as a malfunctioning machine or defective safety harness, that caused your injury.
Vehicle Accidents: A driver employed by another company caused an on-site accident, such as backing into you with a work truck.

Third-party claims can also play a significant role in fatal construction accidents. When a worker dies in a construction-related incident, their family may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party. Compensation in these cases often includes funeral expenses, lost income, and damages for loss of companionship and support.

How Workers’ Compensation and Third-Party Claims Work Together

Workers’ compensation and third-party claims are not mutually exclusive. They can work together to ensure you receive full and fair compensation for your injuries if you qualify for both. For instance:

Workers’ compensation can cover your immediate medical bills and a portion of your lost wages.
A third-party claim can address non-economic damages like pain and suffering and the remaining financial losses that workers’ compensation doesn’t cover.

An experienced lawyer will help you file a workers’ compensation claim, identify potential third-party defendants, and coordinate the two claims to maximize your recovery.

What to Do if Your Claim Was Denied?

Having your workers’ compensation claim denied can be an extraordinarily frustrating and stressful experience. The good news is that you are not out of options. You can appeal the denial.

In South Carolina, workers’ comp disputes can be appealed to an independent commissioner. Our attorneys can represent you during an informal conference with a representative from your employer and the S.C. Workers’ Compensation Commission. If an agreement isn’t reached at the informal conference, a formal hearing can be held before a workers’ comp commissioner.

Construction Accident Fatalities

Tragically, some construction accidents result in fatalities, leaving families devastated and searching for answers. Losing a loved one in a workplace accident is an unimaginable loss. At Joye Law Firm, we’ve seen firsthand how overwhelming it is to face this kind of tragedy while handling a legal claim.

When a worker sustains fatal injuries on the job, the deceased worker’s spouse, children, and other dependents can be eligible to recover death benefits or dependency benefits. Death benefits are two-thirds of a deceased worker’s average weekly wage, and they may be paid for up to 500 weeks. Workers’ comp in South Carolina can also pay up to $12,000 for funeral and burial benefits.