Ashley R. Kirkham provides information for claims professionals and employers in order to help prevent fines from the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission. 12A First Report of Injury. $200 initial fine, $5 per day for each additional day the form is not submitted. When a Notice of Claim (either by a Form 50 or letter… Continue Reading
Supreme Court Upends Back Ratings
The Supreme Court of South Carolina ruled claimant’s ability to hold gainful employment does not, alone, preclude a finding of total and permanent disability based on more than 50% to the back. Further, the Supreme Court decided that regional spine impairments were actually impairments to the “back” within the meaning of the Act. This is… Continue Reading
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
Collins & Lacy, P.C. Grows with the Addition of Two Attorneys
[COLUMBIA, S.C. – November 16, 2016] – Collins & Lacy, P.C. is pleased to announce the expansion of the firm with the addition of two attorneys, Stephanie L. Mascella and Jennifer B. Honeycutt. Mascella is an associate practicing in the areas of retail & hospitality law, professional liability, and transportation & trucking law in Collins… 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
Collins & Lacy, P.C. Co-Founder Part of National Workers’ Compensation
[COLUMBIA, S.C. September 7, 2016] – In addition to contributing to Collins & Lacy, P.C.’s Workers’ Compensation blog, the firm’s co-founder, Stan Lacy, is now an author of a national workers’ compensation professors blog, which includes posts from university professors from around the country. The purpose of this new resource is to provide clients and… 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
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
S.C. Court of Appeals Addresses Exemption of Employers from Workers’ Compensation Act
Whether an Employer regularly employed four or more employees, and thus, was subject to the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act and the Notice Requirement were fully addressed by the South Carolina Court of Appeals in Hartzell v. Palmetto Collision, LLC, and South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Uninsured Employers Fund, Opinion No. 5176 (S.C. Ct. App. File October 9, 2013). The… Continue Reading
