When a worker is injured on the job, it is usually from an accident. The meaning of an accident can be described in several ways; however, the most basic definition is when a voluntary action results in an injury or death.
The act that causes the injury or death is not typically deemed dangerous and is usually done without serious consequences. The consequences are not to be expected and do not typically occur.
In Hiers v Brunson Construction Company, the court ruled that if a worker becomes sick on the job from natural causes, the illness is not accidental because it occurred as a natural result of something unrelated to the job. Something like catching the common cold is deemed a normal occurrence and cannot be blamed on the worker’s employment.
If a worker previously has a disability or condition that becomes worse or is directly caused by an unexpected act, the illness may be considered an accidental injury.
The South Carolina Court of Appeals described the term “accident” as an unforeseen event that is not expected by the injured worker. The injury may be caused by accidental causes or from “oversight and negligence, carelessness, fatigue, or miscalculation of the effects of voluntary action.”
Have You Been Injured On The Job?
If you've been hurt at your job you can speak with a workers' compensation lawyer. Please contact us online or call our Charleston, South Carolina office directly at 843.488.2359 to schedule your consultation. We are also able to meet clients at our Conway, Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Mt. Pleasant, North Myrtle Beach or North Charleston office locations.
