Accidents can happen suddenly, catching even the most prepared person off guard. One minute, you may be strolling to a restaurant after a long day at work, and the next minute, someone else's carelessness can change your life forever. Personal injury victims not only endure negligence but also experience pain and worry about their families and ability to work. Often, these victims cannot afford to focus on work and family when they're injured or even clinging to life in an ER. Without a personal injury attorney in Abbeville, SC, to fight for their rights, these same victims provide official statements by mistake to insurance companies. They accept embarrassingly low settlement offers without realizing that they deserve much more.
If you've been hurt in an accident recently, ask yourself these questions:
With 30.21 personal injury cases for every 100,000 residents in South Carolina - 217% higher than the national average - it's not surprising that men and women like you are asking the questions above. At the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC, our hearts hurt for victims who are suffering needlessly.
Because, at the end of the day, they're not just hurting physically. They're struggling to make ends meet due to the cost of car repairs, medical bills, doctor's appointments, and loss of income. Fortunately, personal injury laws in South Carolina state that the parties found responsible for your suffering and pain must account for your expenses. With a personal injury lawyer by your side, you have a real shot at getting the compensation you deserve.
If you've been injured in an accident in South Carolina, you have the right to file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. If the insurance company doesn't offer a fair settlement, consider speaking with our Abbeville personal injury lawyer.
At the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC, our goal is to help accident victims in South Carolina recover the maximum amount for their losses, including damages for pain and suffering. Unlike some personal injury law firms, our expert attorneys know that no two cases are ever exactly the same. That's why we take a personalized approach to each case that comes across our desk.
You can rest easy knowing that your personal injury case starts with a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. During this initial meeting, we'll review your accident, determine liability, and recommend the best legal course of action for you. Max Sparwasser and his team focus on a range of personal injury categories, including the following:
Injured victims choose Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC because we put our clients' needs first.
Max dedicates focused attention to your claim and is confident that once you've met and talked to him, you will feel comfortable entrusting him with your personal injury case.
Your case is going to be handled personally by Max, properly and professionally. NO FEES are collected unless you are paid benefits.
Now that you know a little bit more about our personal injury law firm and how we take care of our clients, let's take a look at two of the most common types of personal injury cases we take: Car accidents and workers' compensation.
As an experienced personal injury attorney, Max has the right training and legal tools to assist with your compensation claims and your personal injury case as a whole.
If you've ever been in a minor fender bender, you know how frustrating and scary it can be when police are called and insurance companies get involved. Dinging a car is one thing, but a full-on car wreck is a completely different story. A car accident in Abbeville can result in significant expenses such as vehicle damage and medical costs.
If a distracted driver kills your loved one, the impact on your family can be profound and long-lasting. Survivors of car accidents often experience emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other challenges that alter their quality of life. In the face of these life-changing events, aggressive representation from a personal injury attorney in Abbeville, SC, can maximize your chances of winning your case.
Here's an uncomfortable truth to digest: Insurance companies often aim to pay out as little as possible. Fortunately, you can protect yourself from their tactics by getting the right legal support for your personal injury claim.
When you report a crash to an insurer, they'll assign an adjuster to your case. However, these adjusters deal with many cases and may not fully understand yours. If an insurance claims adjuster contacts you, be cautious. They aren't looking out for your best interests. It's common for adjusters to push for settlements that undervalue your claim.
Stick to the facts if you talk to an adjuster and refuse to provide a recorded statement or agree to any settlement. Instead, wait until you've consulted with a personal injury attorney. At the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC, our team of car accident lawyers will assess the true worth of your claim and protect you from being taken advantage of by insurance companies.
When you hire a personal injury attorney in Abbeville, SC, from Max Sparwasser Law Firm, you don't have to know all our state's car crash and insurance laws. We have the expertise, knowledge, and resources to handle any case related to a car accident in the Lowcountry. Our long-time car accident attorneys can handle the legal proceedings for you and provide you with peace of mind during negotiations. With that said, we understand that the more you know about South Carolina's car wreck laws, the better you can safeguard your rights after an accident.
As such, here are three car wreck laws in South Carolina you should understand:
It's important to keep in mind that there's a time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a car accident claim in South Carolina. Typically, you need to pursue your claim against the at-fault driver or another party within three years of the car accident. However, there are certain cases that require action within two years. If you fail to file your personal injury claim within the specified deadline, you may forfeit your right to make a claim permanently.
Like many other states, South Carolina operates under a "fault" insurance system. This system holds the driver responsible for covering the damages of the injured party if they are at fault for the accident.
If you are in a car accident and it leads to a personal injury claim due to negligence, the court needs to determine that you (the plaintiff) are 50% or less at fault for the accident. If you are found to be more than 50% responsible, you will lose your right to seek compensation. However, if you are 50% or less at fault, you will receive at least some compensation. Your award will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you.
When drivers take the wheel, they bear the responsibility of being careful and attentive to their surroundings. This means watching out for other drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and all road users. However, if a driver chooses to text, eat, or talk on the phone while driving, they are failing to do so and are behaving negligently.
Negligence involves acting carelessly, resulting in harm or damage. Other examples of negligence include:
If you've been in a car accident and need help understanding our local laws or the role of negligence in your case, schedule your free claim assessment with the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC, today. The sooner you know your rights and file a claim, the sooner our lawyers can advocate on your behalf. Our accident lawyers will uphold your best interests despite pushback from insurance companies and the complex legal system in South Carolina.
While South Carolina's workplace incidence rate was lower than the national average in 2020, tens of thousands of workers were reportedly injured on the job. In fact, private employers in South Carolina reported 29,100 nonfatal injuries and illnesses, resulting in an incident rate of 2.1 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers. In 2021, the private sector reported 30,300 such injuries and illnesses, leading to an incidence rate of 2.2 cases per 100 workers, many of whom hired.
Public sector employers reported 8,100 injury and illness cases in 2021, with 72 percent occurring among local government workers. Occupational illness trends in South Carolina mirrored those seen nationwide. In 2020, the private sector accounted for 4,200 of the total reported cases, and 3,100 in 2021, showing a 26 percent decline.
Respiratory illnesses made up 79 percent of the total occupational illnesses reported in South Carolina in 2020. In 2021, 89.8 percent of private industry recorded incidents were injuries.
Personal injury attorneys in Abbeville, SC, fought some of the state's biggest employers in court, including brands such as:
While there is no single federal law governing workers' compensation, every state in the U.S. has its own workers' compensation system. This program provides financial benefits to employees who experience job-related injuries or illnesses. Typically, an injured worker can receive workers' compensation benefits without needing to prove their employer's negligence. In exchange, the employee forfeits the right to file a personal injury claim against the employer.
Under the state workers' comp system, an injured employee will be reimbursed for all necessary medical treatment following a workplace accident. If the injury or illness leads to more than seven days of missed work, the employee will receive 66.66% of their average weekly wage, up to a maximum amount. Workers may also receive compensation for permanent disabilities or disfigurement. The maximum award for death or total disability is 500 weeks of compensation.
Lifetime benefits are available in cases of paraplegia, quadriplegia, and brain injury. It should be noted that trying to
In South Carolina, most employees are eligible for workers' compensation benefits if they suffer an injury or illness while working. Employees don't need to prove fault; they just need to prove that the injury or illness happened at work or during a work-related activity. Unfortunately, there are exceptions under the SC State Workers' Compensation Act, meaning some employers never qualify for workers' compensation.
Those restrictions apply to:
Employers who fall under the SC State Workers' Compensation Act must maintain the required minimum amounts of workers' comp insurance. If you're trying to pick up the pieces after being injured at work, contact the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC today. Our personal injury attorneys will work tirelessly to get you the help you need to rebuild your life.
Many injured workers assume they can save money by foregoing a personal injury attorney to oversee their workers' comp claim. In reality, many plaintiffs lose money - or don't get the proper amount they're owed - when they choose not to hire a lawyer. If you were recently injured at work and are on the fence about retaining counsel for your case, keep these facts in mind.
To safeguard your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation, injured individuals must file a workers' compensation claim. Unfortunately, many people come up with reasons why they shouldn't file a claim before determining whether their claim is valid.
Some of the most common reasons for doing so include:
You should know that making the decisions above doesn't necessarily disqualify you from making a workers' comp claim. That's why it's so important to work with an experienced workers' compensation lawyer. Great workers' comp attorneys - like those at the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC - thoroughly assess your case and help determine whether you have a valid claim for workers' compensation benefits.
Here's a safely kept secret in the insurance industry: Skilled workers' compensation lawyers create risk. Insurance companies hate risk because it exposes them and causes them to lose money. An experienced workers' compensation lawyer takes on risk by developing the best strategy to maximize your benefits and gathering evidence that will be admissible in a hearing.
Do you truly understand the benefits you're entitled to? Do you know what you need to prove in order to win? Do you know how to effectively present that evidence? This can be quite complex, even for attorneys, which is why an injured employee alone doesn't pose much of a threat to the insurance company. That's why professional help from a qualified attorney is essential in workers' comp cases.
It's important to keep in mind that there's a time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a car accident claim in South Carolina. Typically, you need to pursue your claim against the at-fault driver or another party within three years of the car accident. However, there are certain cases that require action within two years. If you fail to file your personal injury claim within the specified deadline, you may forfeit your right to make a claim permanently.
It's important to keep in mind that there's a time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a car accident claim in South Carolina. Typically, you need to pursue your claim against the at-fault driver or another party within three years of the car accident. However, there are certain cases that require action within two years. If you fail to file your personal injury claim within the specified deadline, you may forfeit your right to make a claim permanently.
Whether you have been injured in a car accident, hurt at work, or are struggling with another type of personal injury situation, know that our team is here to help. Our personal injury attorneys in Abbeville, SC are insurance claims experts and know how to negotiation and achieve maximum financial compensation. The best part? We take all cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay us unless we win. That's the Max Sparwasser Law Firm difference. Contact our office today to learn more about personal injury cases in South Carolina and whether or not you have a valid claim.
Abbeville now owns 13 South Carolina high school football championships. Thursday, the Panthers beat Cross 58-20 for the Class A state championship at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg.Head coach Jamie Nickle has guided the school to nine of its thirteen state titles.Waleetka is the 2024 Oklahoma Class B Division II state champ after beating Seling 54-12 Thursday in Edmond. It’s the school’s first state championship since 2004....
Abbeville now owns 13 South Carolina high school football championships. Thursday, the Panthers beat Cross 58-20 for the Class A state championship at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg.
Head coach Jamie Nickle has guided the school to nine of its thirteen state titles.
Waleetka is the 2024 Oklahoma Class B Division II state champ after beating Seling 54-12 Thursday in Edmond. It’s the school’s first state championship since 2004.
Jeff is an award-winning journalist and expert in the field of high school sports, underscored with his appearance on CNBC in 2010 to talk about the big business of high school football in America.Jeff turned to his passion for high school football into an entrepreneurial venture called High School Football America, a digital media company focused on producing original high school sports content for radio, television and the internet.Jeff is co-founder and editor-in-chief of High School Football America, a partner with NFL Play Football.
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Sterlington sits atop of Louisiana’s Non-Select Division III classification. Thursday night, the the Panthers beat top-seed St. James 35-28 for the state’s state championship at Caesars Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints.
After a 2-3 start this season, Sterlington averaged 47.6 points per game in its 5-0 postseason run. The Panthers finish the year 11-4. The state championship is the first for the school since 2001.
St. James finishes the year 10-3.
This week’s South Carolina High School League football state championship games are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at S.C. State’s Oliver Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg.Listed times are for game kickoffs; TV broadcasts begin on the hour or half-hour▪ Class 2A: Barnwell (13-1) vs. Clinton (11-2), 2:06 p.m. ThursdayAbout Barnwell: The Warhorses are making their first championship appearance since making back-to-back trips in 2018-19. Barnwell’s last state championship came in 1988. Bar...
This week’s South Carolina High School League football state championship games are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at S.C. State’s Oliver Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg.
Listed times are for game kickoffs; TV broadcasts begin on the hour or half-hour
▪ Class 2A: Barnwell (13-1) vs. Clinton (11-2), 2:06 p.m. Thursday
About Barnwell: The Warhorses are making their first championship appearance since making back-to-back trips in 2018-19. Barnwell’s last state championship came in 1988. Barnwell QB Cameron Austin, the Class 2A Lower State Offensive Player of the Year, has thrown for 2,058 yards and 35 total touchdowns. Running back Nehemiah Brown rushed for 172 yards and a touchdown in last week’s Lower State championship game against Manning. Logan Sturkie leads the team in sacks with six and Damajahi Devoe has a team-high four interceptions. Barnwell’s lone loss this year came against Class 4A South Aiken.
About Clinton: The Red Devils are in their first championship game since winning it all in 2009. Clinton has won eight state championships, tied for seventh-most all-time in state history. Head coach Cory Fountain won two state championships as a head coach at Lamar and has four straight 10-win seasons with the Red Devils. Offensive lineman Tre Aiken has several Power 4 offers, including South Carolina. Running back Javen Cook has rushed for a team-high 1,740 yards and 21 touchdowns. Brett Young leads the team with 104 tackles. Clinton’s base offense is the shotgun flexbone and averages 340.1 yards per game rushing.
Prediction: Clinton
▪ Class A: Cross (12-2) vs. Abbeville (12-1), 7:36 p.m. Thursday
About Cross: The Trojans have won a school-record 12 games and are appearing in their second state championship in school history, winning it all in 2012. Cross has outscored its opponents, 564-95, and allowed just 33 points during its 10-game winning streak. Linebacker Karmello Jones was named the Class A Lower State Defensive Player of the Year and has 69 tackles (17 for loss) and two interceptions. He also leads the team in rushing with 1,881 yards and 31 touchdowns. Sophomore QB Tyler Harris has thrown for 1,427 yards and 17 touchdowns. Linebacker William Grant leads the team with 87 tackles and seven sacks.
About Abbeville: The Panthers are making their 17th state championship appearance and going for their 13th title, which would move them into second place all-time in state history, and be their seventh in the last 10 years. Head coach Jamie Nickles is tied with Dutch Fork’s Tom Knotts with eight state titles in South Carolina. The Panthers’ lone loss came against Batesburg-Leesville on Sept. 6. Abbeville’s Demarcus Leach, a South Carolina signee, is the Class A Upper State Defensive Player of the Year and also is the team’s quarterback. Leach has 26 tackles on defense and has thrown for 996 yards and 16 touchdowns, and rushed for 917 yards and 17 scores. Abbeville is averaging 50.1 points a game.
Prediction: Abbeville
▪ Class 5A Division I: Summerville (13-0) vs. Dutch Fork (12-0), 2:06 p.m. Friday
About Summerville: It’s the Green Wave’s first championship appearance since 2007. They’re looking for their first title since 1998, which was their last unbeaten season. Summerville has won 12 state championships, tied with Abbeville for second-most in state history. Summerville quarterback Jaden Cummings, a Dartmouth signee, has thrown for 2,329 yards and has 44 total touchdowns. Sophomore running back Jayven Williams has rushed for 1,877 yards and 24 touchdowns. They are 0-7 all-time against Dutch Fork, with six of the losses coming in the playoffs.
About Dutch Fork: The Silver Foxes are making their 12th state championship appearance, all under Tom Knotts and all coming since 2012. Dutch Fork is going for its third-straight state title and ninth in school history. The Silver Foxes’ eight titles are tied for seventh-most in state history. Knotts is making his 23rd state championship appearance as head coach, with the other 11 coming in North Carolina. Dutch Fork’s defense has a school-record six shutouts and has a chance to give up the fewest points in a season in school history. The Silver Foxes have allowed 73 points all year. The school record is 94 from the 10-game, COVID-shortened season in 2020. Dutch Fork is allowing 197.8 yards a game and has a pair of Division I signees in linebacker Josh Smith (South Carolina) and defensive back Elgin Sessions (Georgia Tech). Smith leads the team with 91 tackles and tied for team lead in sacks with nine. Daniel Williams leads the team with 26 tackles for loss and is tied with nine sacks. As a team, Dutch Fork has 36 sacks. Running back Maurice Anderson has rushed for 1,032 yards and 19 touchdowns. QB Ethan Offing has thrown for 2,722 yards, rushed for 429 with 30 total touchdowns. Boykin Bickley leads the team with 53 catches for 1,011 yards and seven touchdowns.
Prediction: Dutch Fork
▪ Class 4A: South Florence (11-3) vs. Westside (13-0), 7:36 p.m. Friday
About South Florence: The Bruins are making their third-straight championship appearance, winning it all in 2022 and losing to Westside last season. South Florence has won 10 or more games in three straight seasons, the longest stretch in school history. The Bruins rallied from a 20-0 deficit to defeat North Augusta, 27-20, last week in the state semifinals. QB Messiah Jackson has thrown for 1,933 yards and 36 total touchdowns. Running back Tre Leonard has rushed for 1,287 yards and 15 scores. Receiver Jayden Sellers, a South Carolina signee, has 1,737 all-purpose yards and 24 touchdowns. Defensive end Amare Adams, a Clemson signee, leads South Florence with five sacks. Junior Willie Kennedy leads the team with 108 tackles.
About Westside: The Rams are the defending state champions and won their first title since 1969 last year with a win over South Florence. Westside has a 27-game winning streak dating back to last year. The Rams have scored 40 points or more in 11 of their 13 games this season. Quarterback Cutter Woods, a South Carolina signee, has thrown for 3,048 yards and 37 touchdowns. Woods is a finalist for the state’s Mr. Football award. Chamarryus Bomar leads the team with 45 catches for 1,080 yards and 15 touchdowns. Running back Sharode Richardson has rushed for 1,111 yards and 18 scores. Bomar and Richardson are tied for the team lead in interceptions with three.
Prediction: Westside
▪ Class 3A: Oceanside Collegiate (10-3) vs. Belton-Honea Path (10-3), 12:06 p.m Saturday
About Oceanside Collegiate: The Landsharks are making their third-straight championship appearance, with the last two coming in Class 2A. John Patterson is the interim coach and took over after Chad Wilkes resigned in August. Two of Oceanside’s three losses came against Irmo and Dutch Fork, which are playing for state titles this weekend. Sophomore quarterback Aiden Manavian has thrown for over 3,181 yards and 38 touchdowns, including five last week in the state semifinal against Loris. Will Virgilio and Peyton Shaw both have 10 TD catches. Virgilio leads the team with 65 catches for 1,030 yards and 10 scores.
About Belton-Honea Path: The Bears are making their second championship appearance, winning it all in 2004. BHP’s only loss came against defending 4A champion Westside. Belton-Honea Path rallied from a 16-7 halftime deficit to defeat Mountain View Prep, 30-22, in last week’s state semifinals. Running back Marquise Henderson, a Clemson signee, has rushed for 1,934 yards and has 2,502 all-purpose yards to go along with 31 touchdowns. Henderson is a Mr. Football finalist and has 6,392 rushing yards and 98 career TDs. Justin Lathon leads BHP with 10 sacks and Kelsey Miles has four interceptions. QB Noah Thomas has thrown for 1,791 yards and 26 touchdowns. Tajeh Watson-Martin leads the team with 41 catches for 883 yards and 13 scores.
Prediction: Oceanside Collegiate
▪ Class 5A Division II: Irmo (12-1) vs. Northwestern (13-0), 6:06 p.m. Saturday
About Irmo: The Yellow Jackets are making their seventh championship appearance and first since 2006. Irmo won the 1980 title, its lone one in school history. The title game appearance is the second for Irmo coach Aaron Brand, who led Vance (NC) to championship in 2018. Irmo’s lone loss came against Dutch Fork in the regular-season finale. Quarterback AJ Brand, a Virginia Tech signee, was named S.C. Gatorade Player of the Year last week. Brand has thrown for 2,449 yards, rushed for 1,861 yards with 53 total touchdowns. Junior Donovan Murph leads the team with 88 catches for 1,205 yards and nine touchdowns. Murph is reclassifying into the Class of 2025 and will announce a college commitment in January. Sophomore Maleek Miler has 1,649 all-purpose yards and 13 scores. Sophomore Jaiden Bryant leads the team with 92 tackles and 18.5 sacks. Senior Matthew Blocker leads the team with four interceptions.
About Northwestern: The Trojans are making their 11th championship appearance and second in the last three years. Northwestern has won five championships, with the last coming in 2015 under Keith Richardson, who is now an assistant coach at Clemson. Northwestern is averaging 50.4 points per game. Quarterback Finley Polk, a Gardner-Webb signee and Shrine Bowl selection, has thrown for 3,284 yards and has 56 total touchdowns. Polk was the 5A Division II Upper State Offensive Player of the Year. Jayden Nichols has 68 catches for 957 yards and 10 TDs. Kameron Vance has 61 receptions for 962 yards and 14 touchdowns. Zymier Gordon-Miles has rushed for 1,198 yards and 16 touchdowns. Mason Grier has a team-high 20 tackles for loss. Jonathan Spurgeon leads the Trojans with four interceptions.
Prediction: Irmo
▪ Last Week’s Predictions: 9-3
▪ This Season: 283-53
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at gofan.co. No tickets will not be sold on site at the championship games. The stadium will be cleared after each game. Fans must have a ticket for each game, and no re-entry is allowed.
Gates will open for fans no earlier than one hour prior to the posted game time. Home fans will enter through Gate 1. Visiting fans will enter through Gates 1 and 2 and walk across behind the end zone. Lower State champions are the home teams.
Parking lots open 1.5 hours prior to the first game time of the day. It is $10 per car and parking passes are available through Gofan.co. Vehicles with trailers, pull behind grills and RVs will cost $50. Tailgating is allowed when lots are open.
All six games will be carried on Sinclair Broadcasting stations across South Carolina. Affiliates are WMYA (My40 Asheville-Greenville), WACH Fox digital channel (57.2/1250/Columbia), WCIV (MyTV Charleston) and WWMB (CW21, Florence/Myrtle Beach).
The Dutch Fork-Summerville game will be carried on WACH Fox’s main channel in Columbia area.
All six games also will be streamed on www.nfhsnetwork.com. A subscription ($11.99) is required but is good for all of the games and monthly subscription.
The Abbeville-Cross game will be on and streamed on radio station 92.1 WZLA FM
The Irmo-Northwestern game will be on and streamed on radio station WRHI 100.1 FM and the WRHI mobile app
This story was originally published December 11, 2024 at 9:56 AM.
The State
Lou Bezjak is the High School Sports Prep Coordinator for The (Columbia) State and (Hilton Head) Island Packet. He previously worked at the Florence Morning News and had covered high school sports in South Carolina since 2002. Lou is a two-time South Carolina Sports Writer of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.