Paralegal - Workers' Compensation

Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo LLP; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

401K

Job summary

Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo LLP seeks a paralegal with workers’ compensation experience to handle high-volume, fast-paced work. You will draft pleadings and correspondence, summarize medical files, schedule mediations and depositions, and coordinate litigated files in-office.

The ideal candidate has strong proofreading and communication skills, familiarity with Aderant and NetDocs, and a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Qualifications

• This position requires several years of experience handling workers' compensation cases and strong proofreading, written and verbal communication skills.
• Preference is given to candidates with a bachelor’s degree and experience with case management tools.

Responsibilities

• Summarizing medical files and discovery requests.
• Drafting correspondence and pleadings.
• Scheduling mediations, depositions, and coordinating litigated files.
• Drafting SC Workers’ Compensation Commission forms.
• Reviewing and summarizing employment and medical records.

Skills

Timekeeping

Drafting

Communication

Proofreading

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Aderant

NetDocs

Adobe Acrobat

MS Word

MS Outlook

Job description

For 70 years, our firm has been a trusted legal partner throughout North and South Carolina— delivering strategic defense, practical counsel, and results that matter. Across our five offices, we combine knowledge and experience with the resources and insight to manage complex claims and litigation efficiently.

We believe the strongest defense is built on solid relationships and client engagement. Our attorneys are more than counsel. We stand beside clients at every stage of a dispute by offering clear guidance, focused strategy, and relentless advocacy. Clients trust us to protect their interests and show up when it matters most.

What sets us apart is our commitment to true partnership. We invest deeply in understanding each client’s unique perspective, challenges they are facing, and their priorities, ensuring our counsel is practical and aligned with your business goals.

We blend a legacy of steady, dependable advocacy with a collaborative multi-generational approach — where experience meets innovation and grit meets adaptability. This balance allows us to navigate complex claims with precision that enhances efficiency and outcomes.

Our five offices across the Carolinas give us unmatched perspective. We understand the nuances of state and regional regulations and court practices, enabling us to craft defense strategies grounded in real-world environments.

Job Description

The candidate must have workers' compensation experience, be detail oriented, have a professional demeanor, and be able to handle large volumes of work in a fast-paced environment with exceptional proofreading, written and verbal communication skills. Responsibilities include summarizing medical files and discovery requests, drafting correspondence and pleadings, scheduling mediations, depositions, etc., and coordinating litigated files.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• A history of strong timekeeping practices
• Drafting correspondence to clients and SCWCC
• Organizing file materials
• Preparing settlement documentation
• Assisting with hearing preparation
• Being comfortable in a fast-paced work environment
• Drafting SC Workers’ Compensation Commission forms
• Reviewing and summarizing employment and medical records
• Managing attorney calendars and matter deadlines, and
• Preparing certificate of service, production requests and clinchers.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Activities, duties, and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Hedrick Gardner is a high technology work environment and the primary tools of this position are Aderant for case management and timekeeping, NetDocs for document management, Adobe Acrobat for PDF creation and manipulation, MS Word and MS Outlook. Having the ability to learn new technology is important to future success.

Preference is given to candidates with several years of experience handling workers' compensation cases and a bachelor’s degree however other combinations of education and experience will be considered.

This position is an in-office position located near Main and Lady Streets.

Additional Information

Hedrick Gardner offers competitive salary and benefits including free parking.

Physical Demands

• Position requires sitting for more than 2/3 of the time
• Position requires ability to focus on a computer monitor for extended periods of time
• Positon requires a small amount of bending and reaching to access supplies and equipment
• Position requires enough mobility to move from one area of the office to another at a moderate pace periodically
• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds on occasion
• Work is performed in an office environment with a modest level of noise

Work Environment

• Indoor Office Setting
• Well-Lighted/Ventilated Environment
• Air Conditioned/Heated Environment
• 7.5 hour shift, 37.5 hours per week
• Monday to Friday
• 8:30am – 5:00pm
• 1 hour lunch

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life
• Short-term Disability
• Long-term Disability
• HRA
• FSA
• 401K
• Educational Assistance
• Pet Insurance
• Paid Holidays
• PTO Accrual

Benefit Conditions

• Waiting period may apply
• Only full-time employees eligible

Ability to commute/relocate

Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work.

Hedrick Gardner is committed to the equal employment opportunity of all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law.