Attorney David T. Pearlman of Steinberg Law Firm Obtains $550K Settlement Award in South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Case Using New Medical Technology

The South Carolina workers’ compensation program allows injured workers to obtain much-needed compensation while they recover from their injuries. While the workers’ compensation program is designed to be quicker and easier than a traditional lawsuit, workers’ compensation claims are often contested by an employer or the employer’s insurance company.

Earlier this year, Steinberg Law Firm partner, David Pearlman, successfully negotiated a difficult settlement for a South Carolina man who was severely injured in an on-the-job accident. The case highlights the importance of staying abreast of technological and medical advancements, and how successful advocates can use these new technologies to help create a more persuasive case for recovery.

While many of the details surrounding the $550K settlement award must remain confidential under the terms of the agreement, the importance of the case can be understood from the basic fact. A man was employed as a heavy lift equipment mechanic when he was involved in an on-the-job fall. As a result of the fall, the worker suffered a facial fracture and cranial bleed. As is the situation in many cases involving trauma to the head, the worker’s cognitive abilities and motor skills were impaired.

The worker applied for South Carolina workers’ compensation. As a part of that process, he was evaluated by an expert by the defense. This expert reviewed the results from a traditional MRI, finding that there was no evidence of brain damage. Thus, the defense expert testified that the defendant only suffered a seven percent impairment.

In response, attorney David Pearlman sought testing through a newly available technology called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). DTI is a way for medical professionals to determine microstructural changes to the brain that an MRI may not pick up. As attorney Pearlman explains, “in many cases, especially in mild traumatic brain injuries, there is brain damage. It just has not been able to be seen through routine MRIs because the damage is microscopic. With the new technology of a DTI, you can capture and be able to show the true extent of the severe brain injury.” Relying on DTI and several experts who interpreted the results, attorney Pearlman was able to secure a large settlement offer that would not otherwise have been available.

Have You Been Injured in a South Carolina Workplace Accident?

The skilled South Carolina workers’ compensation attorneys at Steinberg Law have over 170 years of combined legal experience handling workers’ compensation claims. As a result, we possess the knowledge and professionalism to handle your case from beginning to end, with the utmost care and consideration. If you have questions, our legal team has answers. Our mission is and always has been to provide the best possible legal services to our clients, to preserve the civil justice system and to give back to our community whenever we can. To learn more about how the attorneys at Steinberg Law Firm can help you with your worker’s compensation claim, call 843-720-2800 to schedule a free consultation today.