Charleston Workplace Injury: How Much are Your Limbs Worth?

Losing a limb is a frightening thought. Unfortunately, it's a sad reality for many people who are involved in a workplace injury. The non-profit news source, ProPublica, investigated how much compensation people can receive throughout the United States for losing certain parts their bodies. Although each state provides different benefits for time away from work, unemployment, and other matters, their team was able to isolate the data and determine a rate per limb, using more than 600 calculations, as well as 52 different formulas. It's also worth noting that the rates listed here are not necessarily what you might receive if you're hurt on the job. According to ProPublica, a doctor usually evaluates how much function was lost, and then that percentage of the amount detailed is awarded to the individual.

You can see how South Carolina stacked up against the rest of the country on compensation for workplace injury below.

• Arm National Average: $169, 878 South Carolina: $168,531 High State (Nevada): $859,634 Low State (Alabama): $48,840
• Leg National Average: $153,221 South Carolina: $149,380 High State (Federal):$543,367 Low State(Alabama): $44,000
• Hand National Average: $144,930 South Carolina: $141,719 High State (Nevada): $738, 967 Low State (Alabama): $37,400
• Thumb Each finger is actually rated at a different amount. For the sake of simplicity, we've elected to only show the amount for a thumb. National Average: $42,432 South Carolina: $49,793 High State (Kentucky): $195,670 Low State (Rhode Island): $13,500
• Foot National Average: $91,779 South Carolina: $107,247 High State (Federal): $386,771 Low State (Minnesota): $26,000
• Big Toe National Average: $23,436 South Carolina: $26,812 High State (Oregon): $90,402 Low State (California): $6,090
• Eye National Average: $96,700 South Carolina: $107,247 High State (Federal): $301,870 Low State (Minnesota): $22,000
• Ear National Average: $38,050 South Carolina: $61,284 High State (Oregon): $124,991 Low State (Colorado): $9,696

Disbursements Can Impact the Rest of Your Life. In their accompanying article, ProPublica notes that discrepancies are high, even for those with the same injury. In one situation, two men lost portions of their arm in similar work incidents. The first man received just $45,000, but the second could receive as much as $740,000 over the course of his lifetime. ProPublica is quick to point out the difference in state maximums for the loss of an arm. Although the first man lost his arm in Alabama, where the maximum is $48,840, and the second man was hurt in Georgia, where compensation can be as much as$118,125, it's clear that there's more happening here than maximum allowances. There are other sources of funds available, and even the amount received for the loss, itself, is determined by a doctor's opinion.

Charleston Workplace Injury Attorney

Sadly, the first man whose story was detailed above does not end with the loss of his arm. As a result of inadequate compensation, so far his family lost their home, andtheir vehicles, as well. The system can be incredibly difficult to navigate, and the agreements initially made will impact the rest of yours and your family's lives if you've been hurt at work. It helps to have an experienced attorney on your side who is familiar with workers' compensation, and knows where to look for additional funds, so that you receive everything you are entitled to. Please contact us online or speak with one of our attorneys now by calling 843-305-6329