t’s already a difficult time when you have to deal with bail bonds. It’s worse, however, when you have so many myths and misconceptions to wade through. If you’re new to dealing with bail bonds, there are some common bail bond myths that might help you to debunk ahead of time.
Bail Bondsmen Only Accept Cash
When it comes to bail, money is the biggest issue. Nowadays, many people fail to meet bail. The system of bail isn’t set up for those with financial hardship. One of the biggest misconception is that bail bondsmen only accept cash. The truth is that there are several ways that you can pay bail. Sometimes, bail bond agencies will accept collateral as payment. When you’re looking for bail bonds Beaver County PA residents can afford, you need to look at the ones that accept different forms of payment.
Bail Bondsmen Get People Out of Jail
The bond agent does not get anyone out of jail. It’s the judge that decides who is eligible for bail. If they are eligible for bail, then the amount is set and the bail bond agent can help the defendant pay for the bail. This allows for the defendant to leave jail for the duration of the trial.
Bail Bondsmen Are Bounty Hunters
If you watch TV, you are probably familiar with bond agents and bounty hunters. In fact, some people believe that they are the same thing. Now, there are situations where a bond agency will employ a bounty hunter to find someone who skips bail. However, the truth is that this isn’t always the case.
When it comes to making bail, there are a lot of people who cannot afford to get their loved one out of jail. If you’re in this situation, a bail bondsman might be a great option. Before you seek one out, however, you need to consider the myths and misconceptions.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation Claims in South Carolina
Unlike the majority of States in America, South Carolina operates a no-fault system of awarding compensation to injured employees. This serves to improve and ease the way in which workers collect compensation in the event of an accident. It can also be seen as a bureaucratic-heavy process with non-negotiable rules that must be adhered to.
Working for the Workers
All compensation claims in South Carolina are handled by workers’ compensation commissioners. Unlike a lawsuit, these cases do not pass in front a judge and are not impacted by judgments of liability or negligence. With worker insurance a mandatory requirement for all businesses with four or more employees, it’s this insurance which will pay the employee’s in the event of an injury.
Accordingly, for any injury incurred by a worker on-site, there’s a set process which must be followed. An accident and any injury caused on site must be reported to a supervisor within 90 days. While medical assistance should be sought at the earliest possible time, it should also be made clearly known to the doctor that the injury is work-related.
Your employer then has a maximum of two years to file a First Report of Injury or Illness form to the State accident fund. If the injury was not caused by misconduct on the victim’s behalf, they can then file for a workers’ compensation package to subsidize any loss of earnings or beneficial medical costs incurred from the accident.
Making a claim
Knowing exactly what you’re entitled to claim is the single most important factor when pursuing a compensation claim. The no-fault system is designed to re-compensate two-thirds of any lost wages. This includes lost earnings already incurred because of an inability to perform your job and any future earnings you expect to lose. The compensation also covers medical bills which directly relate to tending to the recovery of the injury.
What the compensation does not include is any type of award for pain and suffering caused as a result of the accident. Because the case does not go before a judge, there’s also no punitive damages awarded against any negligent party. However, this also includes any negligence on behalf of the person injured who are still entitled to claim financial aid despite potentially being solely responsible for the accident.
Complications
While the compensation process has been simplified in many ways, there are still potential problems you can face in making a claim. a specialized worker’s compensation law firm could help you navigate the traps and pitfalls which lie ahead. These range from correctly filing your claim to dealing with the insurance company themselves. Experienced attorneys can also ensure you receive the full amount to which you’re entitled, both directly and indirectly.
Any accident which involves a third party could open the way for you to take civil action in addition to the regular workers’ compensation claim. If the accident was caused by an outside factor such as independent contractors or faulty equipment, a separate lawsuit can be filed against either the individual, business, institution or manufacturer who is ultimately responsible for the root cause of the accident.