Calculating Workers’ Compensation Benefits: What You’re Entitled To
Mitchell K. Byrd, Jr. | Attorney
What benefits are you entitled to under South Carolina’s workers’ compensation program? Depending on the nature and severity of the illness or injury, South Carolina workers are entitled to certain types of compensation that are paid out at a rate pre-determined by law. That means South Carolina workers can reasonably know what to expect if they experience a workplace-related injury or illness.
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits you might be entitled to under workers’ comp in South Carolina.
What Injured and Ill Workers Are Entitled to in South Carolina
Workers’ compensation in South Carolina provides three types of benefits to injured and ill workers covered under the program: lost wages, medical benefits, and permanent disability.
Lost wages: Workers who cannot work due to workplace-related injury or illness may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. The amount a worker is entitled to is 66 2/3% of their average weekly wage up to the current maximum weekly compensation rate.
The maximum weekly compensation rate changes every year. For accidents that happen on or after January 1, 2024, the maximum weekly rate is $1,093.67 per week. Find the maximum weekly compensation rate for this year and previous years on the SC Workers’ Compensation Commission (SCWCC) website here.
Medical benefits: This broad category covers expenses that help lessen the worker’s injury or illness, including medical treatment, medical equipment, hospitalization, rehabilitation, prescriptions, and more. Important: For medical care to be covered under workers’ compensation, you must use the provider chosen by your employer or employer’s insurance carrier.
Medical benefits can also reimburse you for travel expenses if you must travel more than 5 miles away to receive medical care. The rate of compensation for travel changes every year. As of January 1, 2024, travel is compensated at a rate of 67 cents/mile. Find the travel reimbursement rate for this year and previous years on the SCWCC website here.
Permanent disability: Workers who suffer permanent disability due to a workplace injury are compensated at a set rate for a set amount of time under South Carolina law. The amount of compensation depends on the nature of the injury.
For example, the loss of a thumb is compensated at the rate of 66 2/3% of the average weekly wage for a total of 65 weeks. The loss of an eye is compensated at the same rate for a total of 140 weeks. See South Carolina Code §42-9-30 for the full schedule.
“What Workers’ Comp Benefits Am I Entitled to in South Carolina?”
If you’ve been injured or have developed an occupational disease in the course of work in South Carolina, you might be wondering how much compensation you’re entitled to.
The type and amount of benefits that you are entitled to depend on the nature and severity of your workplace-related injury or illness. You can speak with a workers’ compensation attorney to discuss your case and understand the benefits you’re likely entitled to. Contact the workers’ compensation lawyers at The Carolina Law Group at one of the numbers below to discuss your case.
Questions About Workers’ Comp? Call the Workers’ Comp Attorneys at The Carolina Law Group
Were you injured at work and have questions about the workers’ compensation process in South Carolina? Whether you want to know what to expect from your claim or your claim has been denied and you want advice and help with next steps, call the workers’ compensation attorneys at The Carolina Law Group. We’re experienced workers’ comp attorneys who help our clients get the compensation they deserve under the law. Call us at one of the numbers below to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation to talk about your case.
The Carolina Law Group has four offices in South Carolina for your convenience: Greenville (principal office; call 864.312.4444), Greer (principal office; call 864.757.5555), Spartanburg (principal office; call 864.312.4444) & West Columbia (principal office; call 803.881.1110).
Call us at one of our four offices or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with one of our attorneys. Our business hours are Monday – Thursday 8:30am – 5:30pm & Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm. Weekend and evening hours by appointment only. Our Greenville, SC law firm offers Spanish, Hindi, and Gujarati language translation services for your convenience.