The 122nd South Carolina General Assembly convened for its first regular session on January 10, 2017. There are a few bills proposed in the House and Senate regarding the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act. Some bills are similar to bills proposed in recent years that did not become law, and a few are new proposals.… Continue Reading
Workers' Compensation Law Blog
The South Carolina Workers' Compensation Law Blog provides timely information and updates on legal issues related to the practice of workers' compensation law in the Palmetto State.
Another Year, a Higher Maximum Compensation Rate
We generally are pleased with the economy when it grows and income rises. Last year was no different. While income increased on average only a small percentage, our maximum compensation rate, which is tied to the state’s average income, rose with it. The 2017 maximum compensation rate is $806.92. It is equal to the average weekly… Continue Reading
Employers May Now Be Responsible for Injuries Sustained on Public Roads
The South Carolina Supreme Court essentially abandoned 19 years of court precedence by finding the divided premises rule applies to injuries sustained while on a public street traveling from one employer-controlled location to another employer-controlled location. The state’s highest court, with all justices agreeing, overturned the single commissioner, full commission, and state Court of Appeals… Continue Reading
Use a Third Party Claim as Leverage to Get Your Workers’ Compensation Claim CLINCHERED
If an employee was injured in the course and scope of employment because of a third party, the employer/carrier has a lien against proceeds the employee receives from the third party. For example, if your employee was driving to the bank to make a deposit for his or her employer, if the employee is hit… Continue Reading
Constitutional Rights vs. The Exclusive Remedy Doctrine
The Workers’ Compensation Act evolved from what is often called the “Grand Bargain.” Injured workers cannot sue their employers for work-related injuries in exchange for a no fault system in which the injured worker does not have to prove negligence and the employer provides sure and timely medical and indemnity benefits defined by statute. In… Continue Reading
There’s a New Blog in Town
I am about to begin my thirty-fifth year teaching workers’ compensation as an adjunct professor at the USC School of Law. Last month, I received an email from Mike Duff who teaches workers’ compensation at the University of Wyoming asking if I would like to join him and a core group of workers’ compensation professors… Continue Reading
Finally! A South Carolina Questions & Answers Guide to Workers’ Compensation
The Collins and Lacy team partnered with Practical Law to create a South Carolina Questions and Answers Guide to Workers’ Compensation. This guide provides employers, adjusters, and other workers’ compensation professionals with a basic overview of the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act and relevant case law. It will answer your general South Carolina workers’ compensation… Continue Reading
Getting to “Yes”!
In their book, “Getting to YES, Negotiating Agreement without Giving In,” Roger Fisher and William Ury discuss alternatives to positional negotiating. It is a must read for all mediators and a strongly suggested read for any attorney who participates in the negotiation process. Positional negotiating is what we see in most workers compensation mediations. Each… Continue Reading
2016 Denim & Diamonds Gala for Kids’ Chance of South Carolina
The third annual Kids’ Chance of South Carolina Denim and Diamonds Gala was held last Saturday, February 20, 2016 at the Marriott in downtown Columbia. More than 150 people attended, along with two scholarship recipients and keynote speaker Judge Manning. Early donations show the gala raised over $25,000 to be used to provide scholarships to… Continue Reading
A Change in Direction for Change in Condition?
On January 20, 2016, the South Carolina Court of Appeals handed down its opinion in Russell v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 2016 WL 231216, and held that claimant is not required to prove a change of condition by objective evidence. Russell injured her back on November 3, 2009 lifting something heavy. Because she was pregnant, diagnostic… Continue Reading
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