by Christian Stegmaier
For workers’ compensation awards in South Carolina:
The South Carolina Employment Security Commission has certified that the average weekly wage in South Carolina for the period July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008 was $681.36. Accordingly, for accidents that occur on or after January 1, 2009, the maximum weekly compensation rate, which according to Section 42-9-10 is to be “no more than the average weekly wage in this State for the preceding fiscal year,” shall be $681.36.
This raises the maximum weekly compensation rate by $20.07, 3% greater than the 2008 rate of $661.29. An individual’s compensation rate equals 66⅔% of an individual’s average weekly wage, not to exceed the average weekly wage in South Carolina as determined by the South Carolina Employment Security Commission. In terms of total disability for 500 weeks, the maximum compensation award for 2009 will be $340,680. Generally, an individual must have earned $53,120 annually ($1021.53 weekly) or more during the four quarters immediately preceding the quarter in which an accident occurs in order to be paid at the maximum compensation rate.
Source: http://www.wcc.sc.gov/Welcome+and+Overview/Compensation+Rates/
