What Is a Construction Accident Lawyers in Charleston, SC Case?

Roden Law represents injured construction workers in Charleston, South Carolina and throughout the Lowcountry — Mount Pleasant, Summerville, Goose Creek, and North Charleston. A construction injury often gives you two separate claims: a no-fault workers’ compensation claim against your employer, and a third-party lawsuit against another company whose negligence caused the injury. We handle every […]

— Reviewed by Graeham C. Gillin, Partner, COO at Roden Law

Key Takeaways

If you were injured in a construction accident in Charleston, South Carolina, you generally have 3 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit (S.C. Code § 15-3-530). South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule — you can still recover as long as you are Modified — recover if less than 51% at fault, with your award reduced by your percentage of fault. There is no cap on compensatory damages in an ordinary South Carolina injury case. Roden Law represents Charleston injury victims on a contingency fee: the consultation is free and there is no fee unless we win.

Roden Law represents injured construction workers in Charleston, South Carolina and throughout the Lowcountry — Mount Pleasant, Summerville, Goose Creek, and North Charleston. A construction injury often gives you two separate claims: a no-fault workers’ compensation claim against your employer, and a third-party lawsuit against another company whose negligence caused the injury. We handle every case on a contingency fee basis: you pay nothing unless we win. Roden Law has recovered more than $300 million for injured clients across Georgia and South Carolina and holds a 4.9-star average from hundreds of client reviews. Call (843) 790-8999 for a free, confidential case review.

Why Choose Roden Law for a Charleston Construction Accident Claim

The single most valuable thing a construction-injury lawyer does is look past the workers’ comp claim to find a third-party case — because that is where pain-and-suffering and full lost wages come from, which comp does not pay. What separates Roden Law is investigating every party on the jobsite: subcontractors, the general contractor, the property owner, and equipment or product manufacturers. Our office at 127 King Street sits in downtown Charleston, minutes from the Charleston County Circuit Court and the port-area worksites where many of these injuries happen.

  • No fee unless we win — free consultation and no out-of-pocket cost to pursue your claim.
  • We find the third-party case — recovering the pain-and-suffering and full lost wages comp does not pay.
  • Direct attorney involvement — you work with your attorney, not a rotating desk of case managers.

Charleston Construction Hazards We Handle

Heavy commercial construction around the Charleston port, and residential and commercial development across the Lowcountry, drive the “fatal four” hazards our attorneys see most:

  • Falls from scaffolding, ladders, and roofs — the leading cause of construction deaths.
  • Struck-by injuries from falling materials, tools, and moving equipment.
  • Caught-in/between injuries involving machinery, trenches, and collapsing structures.
  • Electrocutions from contact with live wires and unsafe temporary power.

South Carolina Construction Injury Law You Should Know

An injured construction worker in South Carolina usually has a workers’ compensation claim — a no-fault benefit against the employer that is the “exclusive remedy” against that employer — and, in many cases, a separate third-party liability claim against a non-employer whose negligence contributed to the injury. The third-party claim can recover pain and suffering and full lost wages that comp does not. Be aware of South Carolina’s “statutory employer” doctrine (S.C. Code § 42-1-400), which can extend comp immunity up the contractor chain and affect who can be sued. OSHA violations are strong evidence of negligence. Comp deadlines are strict — report the injury within 90 days (S.C. Code § 42-15-20) and file within two years (S.C. Code § 42-15-40) — while the third-party lawsuit generally follows the three-year deadline under S.C. Code § 15-3-530. Learn more from our South Carolina workers’ compensation overview, how much South Carolina workers’ comp pays, and our comparative negligence guide.

Free Case Review — No Fees Unless We Win Available 24/7 · Georgia & South Carolina
844-RESULTS

What to Do After A construction accident in Charleston, SC

  1. Ensure safety and call 911. Move to a safe location if possible. Call emergency services to report the accident and request medical attention for anyone injured.
  2. Seek immediate medical attention. Even if injuries seem minor, get examined by a doctor. Some injuries — such as traumatic brain injuries or internal bleeding — may not show symptoms immediately.
  3. Document the scene. Take photos of all vehicles, injuries, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible damage. Collect names and contact information from witnesses.
  4. Exchange information with all parties. Get the other driver's name, insurance information, license plate number, and driver's license number. Do not admit fault or apologize.
  5. Report the accident to police. South Carolina law requires accident reports when there are injuries or significant property damage. Request a copy of the police report.
  6. Notify your insurance company. Report the accident to your insurer promptly. Provide factual information only — do not speculate about fault or the extent of your injuries.
  7. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can protect your rights, handle communications with insurance companies, and help you pursue the full compensation you deserve. Roden Law offers free consultations — call today.

South Carolina Personal Injury Law

Statute of Limitations 3 years (S.C. Code § 15-3-530)
Comparative Fault Modified — recover if less than 51% at fault

Filing a Personal Injury Case in Charleston

Filing a personal injury case in downtown Charleston means filing in the Charleston County Court of Common Pleas at 100 Broad Street, on the Tyler Odyssey-based South Carolina E-Filing system. Most cases are sent to mandatory mediation under SC ADR rules before reaching the jury trial roster, and a typical contested case takes 18–30 months from complaint to verdict.

Charleston’s peninsula geography concentrates risk on a few well-known corridors: the Crosstown (US-17 / Septima P. Clark Parkway), the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge to Mount Pleasant, and the dense tourist grid around King and Market Streets, where rideshare drop-offs and carriage tours mix with out-of-state drivers. Charleston County logged more than 2,500 truck-related crashes in 2023, and the I-26/I-526 interchange just west of the peninsula recorded 354 collisions over a five-year period. Serious-injury patients from peninsula crashes are routed to MUSC Health (171 Ashley Ave) — the Lowcountry’s only Level I trauma center.

Under South Carolina law, you have 3 years to file under S.C. Code § 15-3-530, and you can recover only if you are less than 51% at fault. Shorter notice deadlines apply if SCDOT or the City of Charleston is a defendant under the SC Tort Claims Act.

Do I Have a Construction accident Case in Charleston?

Construction injuries usually involve a layered defendant pool: employer (workers’ compensation exclusive remedy), general contractor, subcontractors, property owner, and equipment manufacturers. OSHA regulations (29 C.F.R. Part 1926) support negligence-per-se theories against non-employer third parties — but OSHA itself creates no private right of action. The statutory employer doctrine (S.C. Code § 42-1-400) can extend workers’-comp immunity *up* the contractor chain, eliminating tort recovery against general contractors in many cases. Charleston job-site investigations require fast preservation of scene photos, OSHA reports, and equipment.

Types of Compensation in South Carolina Construction accident Cases

Workers’ compensation covers the worker against the employer (medical, TTD, PPD, death benefits — but no pain and suffering). Tort recovery against third parties (general contractor, equipment manufacturer, property owner) is the path to noneconomic damages, full future earning capacity, and medicals beyond the WC schedule. Subrogation by the WC carrier under S.C. Code § 42-1-560 reduces net recovery, but skilled negotiation can substantially limit the carrier’s lien. Multi-defendant apportionment under South Carolina’s comparative-fault statute is the central strategic question.

Free Case Review — No Fees Unless We Win Available 24/7 · Georgia & South Carolina
844-RESULTS

Roden Law Construction Accident Lawyers in Charleston, SC Results at a Glance

$300M+ Recovered for injured clients across Georgia and South Carolina
4.9 / 5.0 Average client rating across hundreds of verified Google reviews from our six offices
5,000+ Cases successfully handled since 2013
62 years Combined attorney experience across 5 office locations

Source: Roden Law firm records and verified Google Business Profile reviews, updated July 2026.

Recent Case Results

Settlement $27,000,000 $27,000,000 Settlement | Truck Accident
Verdict $10,860,000 $10,860,000 Verdict | Product Liability
Recovery $9,800,000 $9,800,000 Recovery | Premises Liability

Results shown are gross settlement/verdict amounts before fees and costs. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

About the Author

Graeham C. Gillin, Partner, COO at Roden Law

Graeham C. Gillin

Partner, COO

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Our Charleston Office Today

If you were injured in Charleston and believe another party is at fault, contact us for a free, no-obligation review. Call (843) 790-8999 — no upfront cost.