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 Rock Hill, 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 Rock Hill 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 Rock Hill 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 Rock Hill, 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 Rock Hill, 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 Rock Hill, 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 Rock Hill, 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.
Roads could be treacherous and power outages are possible as the Rock Hill region prepares for ice from a winter storm Friday and Saturday.York, Chester, and Lancaster counties could see snow, freezing rain and sleet — or a combination of all three. The National Weather Service said in its forecast there is a 100% chance of winter weather starting Frida...
Roads could be treacherous and power outages are possible as the Rock Hill region prepares for ice from a winter storm Friday and Saturday.
York, Chester, and Lancaster counties could see snow, freezing rain and sleet — or a combination of all three. The National Weather Service said in its forecast there is a 100% chance of winter weather starting Friday afternoon and has issued a winter storm warning that lasts through Saturday morning.
The Rock Hill area — from Lake Wylie east to Indian Land and Fort Mill — could see about an inch of snow and .3 inches of ice, the NWS said. That ice amount could cause roads to freeze and trees and power lines to be knocked down, officials said.
“Snow and ice accumulations will make many roads treacherous and impassable,” the weather service said in a statement Thursday afternoon.
The official winter storm warning — upgraded from a watch — is issued when “a significant combination of hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent,” according to the NWS web site.
[As of 12:10PM 1/9] A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia, but any decisions to upgrade to Warnings/Advisories will be done by 4:00PM as we evaluate new model guidance and trends. pic.twitter.com/GI2vNhUIkv
— NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) January 9, 2025
Area schools have already decided to close or have remote classes Friday and have canceled extra-curricular activities.
Emergency officials have issued a travel advisory urging people to stay off the roads from Friday until icy conditions abate.
“Travel is probably going to be our biggest issue,” said York County Emergency Management Director Chuck Haynes. “Overnight Friday into Saturday, it really has a chance to get dangerous.”
Temperatures Saturday even as skies clear are not expected to rise much over 40 degrees, with lows Saturday night around or below 20 degrees. That means areas that remain wet could refreeze Saturday night into Sunday, said Darren Player, Lancaster County emergency management director.
Officials said even if main roads such as I-77, U.S. 21 and U.S. 521 are clear, secondary roads can be hazardous because they receive less traffic and direct sunlight after a storm passes.
Freezing rain on trees and power lines can cause widespread problems, officials said.
“The weight of the snow and ice on tree limbs and power lines could produce numerous outages,” the weather service said.
If there are power outages, people can check online maps that are updated freqquently by Duke Energy, York Electric Cooperative, and the city of Rock Hill Utilities.
For problems or information, York County officials suggest using these numbers:
▪ Duke Energy 800-769-3766.
▪ York Electric Cooperative 866-374-1234
▪ Rock Hill Utilities 803-329-5500
▪ Comporium 888-403-2667
▪ York County Natural Gas 866-201-1001
This story was originally published January 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
A massive new senior living community could come to Lancaster County, just south of Sun City in Indian Land.Delray Beach, Florida, company Kolter Group Acquisitions applied for several county zoning changes to allow a community called Cresswind. It would be an age-restricted senior community by Kolter Homes on nearly 870 acres.A sketch plan submitted to the county shows 853 home lots....
A massive new senior living community could come to Lancaster County, just south of Sun City in Indian Land.
Delray Beach, Florida, company Kolter Group Acquisitions applied for several county zoning changes to allow a community called Cresswind. It would be an age-restricted senior community by Kolter Homes on nearly 870 acres.
A sketch plan submitted to the county shows 853 home lots. Plans don’t indicate the cost of the project. A call to the developer fromn The Herald wasn’t immediately returned Thursday afternoon.
The western end of Cresswind would be Van Wyck Road, across from thousands more senior living homes at Sun City. Cresswind would stretch east to U.S. 521, or Charlotte Highway, and south to the railroad line across from Waxhaw Highway and the Walnut Creek subdivision.
The sketch plan shows a new public boulevard through the property, giving it two access points. One would across Charlotte Highway from Henry Harris Road. The other would be on Van Wyck Road near River Bend Boulevard, in Sun City.
The sketch plan shows 409 acres of open space that include ponds, streams and wetlands. There’s a 7-acre amenity area at the center of the property in one sketch plan, though it’s broken into two pieces in another version.
The main entrance on Charlotte Highway would have more than 13 acres a business space and 3 acres of institutional space. That’s a zoning typically used for county properties like a park, fire station or emergency response substation.
The area zoned for business is described in documents only as retail or commercial construction.
The project requires a mix of decisions, include zoning and county land use plan changes. It also would involve a development agreement with the county.
A community meeting on Cresswind will be held at 5 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Del Webb Library in Indian Land.
The county Planning Commission will get more information when the proposal comes to that group Jan. 21. The commission will recommend for or against changes, but Lancaster County Council will have the final decision.
The county council won’t look at the Cresswind proposal until at least Jan. 27.
The decisions will take multiple council votes, lasting at least a month from when that group first sees the Cresswind proposal.
This story was originally published January 9, 2025 at 2:38 PM.
As the Rock Hill region braces for snow, sleet and ice on Friday, here’s a list of schools that will close for the weather:▪ The Rock Hill School District will have an eLearning day, or online school, on Friday. Parents won’t send students to school. Extracurricular activities for Friday and Saturday are canceled.▪ The Fort Mill School District will clo...
As the Rock Hill region braces for snow, sleet and ice on Friday, here’s a list of schools that will close for the weather:
▪ The Rock Hill School District will have an eLearning day, or online school, on Friday. Parents won’t send students to school. Extracurricular activities for Friday and Saturday are canceled.
▪ The Fort Mill School District will close all facilities Friday. Students will move to eLearning. After-school activities, including sports, are canceled. District facilities will be closed Saturday, too. Schools are commonly used on weekends for basketball, robotics and other events.
▪ The Clover School District will use remote learning on Friday. Students won’t have live instruction but will be given assignments to complete. School staff will be available online for support. Athletic events for Friday and Saturday are canceled.
▪ The York School District will go to remote learning Friday. All athletic events are canceled for Friday and Saturday.
▪ The Lancaster County School District will close Friday and go to eLearning. All school facilities will be closed and all scheduled events at them canceled Friday through Sunday.
▪ The Chester County School District will go to remote learning Friday, and school district facilities will be closed Friday through Sunday. Students will be given work for Friday to complete, but won’t have online classes.
▪ York Prep will go to a half-day schedule on Friday. Kindergarten through fourth grade will dismiss at 11:30 a.m. Friday, with older grades dismissed at noon. All after-school activities Friday are canceled.
▪ Legion Collegiate Academy postponed all of Friday’s basketball games. Saturday’s girls game will be played in February.
▪ Riverwalk Academy will have an early release day Friday. Kindergarten through fifth grade will finish school at 11:05 a.m. Older grades will finish at 11:30 a.m. All after-school activities are canceled.
As of Thursday morning, the National Weather Service listed a winter storm watch for Rock Hill.
The forecast showed a chance of snow before 2 p.m. Friday, and an 80% chance of precipitation afterward with a mix of snow, sleet and ice. Freezing rain and sleet would continue Friday night with a 100% chance of precipitation after 7 p.m. The forecast low is 29 degrees.
January 09, 2025 11:46 AM
Saturday would have a chance of sleet before 7 a.m. and morning fog, with a 30% chance of precipitation on a mostly sunny day. The expected high temperature is 42 degrees. A low of 19 degrees on Saturday night would be followed by several days of high temperatures in the low 40s and lows in the low 20s.
This is a developing story. Check back for more information.
This story was originally published January 9, 2025 at 12:41 PM.
100 Big Lots stores in North Carolina and South Carolina will soon shut their doors for good.Credit: AP Images for Big LotsA general view of the exterior of the North Bergen Big Lots store on, Oct. 17, 2014 in North Bergen, N.J. (Bennett Raglin/AP Images)CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Update: After announcing all Big Lots stores will close just a week ago, the...
100 Big Lots stores in North Carolina and South Carolina will soon shut their doors for good.
Credit: AP Images for Big Lots
A general view of the exterior of the North Bergen Big Lots store on, Oct. 17, 2014 in North Bergen, N.J. (Bennett Raglin/AP Images)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Update: After announcing all Big Lots stores will close just a week ago, the company now says 200 to 400 locations may be saved thanks to a last minute sale.
Original story:
Nearly 1,000 Big Lots stores will close soon as the retail company plans to hold a "going out of business" sale.
The company was sold to a private equity firm and will shut down for good, according to a press release on Thursday.
Big Lots, which mostly sells furniture, home decor, and some other items, previously said high inflation and interest rates have hurt its business as consumers have pulled back on their home and seasonal product purchases, two categories the chain depends on for a significant part of its revenue.
There are 66 Big Lots stores in North Carolina and 34 Big Lots stores in South Carolina, which will all be closed unless the company's plans change.
There are no Big Lots stores currently in Charlotte but many shoppers in the Charlotte area can stop by these locations for deals as the company moves closer to shutting down.
Albemarle: 720 NC-24
Belmont: 601 Park St
Boone: 223 New Market Ctr
Concord: 280 Concord Pkwy N
Gastonia: 2587 W Franklin Blvd
Hickory: 526c Us Highway 70 Sw
Kannapolis: 950 S Cannon Blvd
Lenoir: 845 Blowing Rock Blvd
Lincolnton: 403 N Generals Blvd
Monroe: 3129 Hwy 74 W
Mooresville: 376 West Plaza Drive
Morganton: 1251 Burkemont Ave
Newton: 2725 Northwest Blvd
Salisbury: 711 E. Innes St
Shelby: 1728 E Dixon Blvd
Statesville: 1020 Crossroads Dr
For a full list of North Carolina store closures, visit here.
Lancaster: 1206 Highway 9 Bypass W
Rock Hill: 2349 Cherry Rd
For a full list of South Carolina store closures, visit here.
It's unclear when the 963 Big Lots stores are set to close, or if a completed sale could prevent them from closing.