The 2014 Oregon Workers’ Compensation Premium Ranking Study, which has been released in the fall of every even-numbered year since 1986, has revealed that Illinois ranks top ten in the nation when it comes to the highest workers’ compensation premium rates. The national median index rate came in at 1.85 per $100 of payroll, compared to South Carolina’s rate of 2.00, according to the study. South Carolina tied for 17th place, along with Washington and Pennsylvania. Notwithstanding, the news is not all bad – South Carolina has slowly been dropping in the ranks: in 2010 it had the 12th premium rate, while 2012 it ranked 16th.

South Carolina’s Workers’ Compensation Commission

In its 2014 fiscal year report released in the summer of 2015, the South Carolina’s Workers’ Compensation Commission (SCWCC) revealed the following, among other information:

• The state’s Compliance Division compelled 269 employers to come into compliance, resulting in approximately 2,502 previously uninsured workers to become properly covered;
• The number of cases filed with the SCWCC decreased 2,323 or 3.6 percent from the prior fiscal year;
• The Commission processed 13,765 settlements, an increase of 424 or 3.1 percent compared to the prior fiscal year and increased settlement hearings by 103 or 1.0 percent;

State law mandates that South Carolina employer who regularly employs four or more workers –  full-time or part-time – is required to have workers compensation insurance. The exception is agricultural employees, railroads, railway express companies and their employees as well as employers who had a total annual payroll during the prior year of less than $3,000 regardless of how many workers were employed during this time period.

What To Do If Injured On the Job

Certain requirements must be met in order to qualify for workers’ compensation under South Carolina state law. If you or someone you know is the victim of a work-related injury, below are four things you should do immediately:

1. 1. Report the Incident – state law requires an injured employee notify his or her employer of the incident within 90 days in order to be eligible to receive benefits, with few exceptions if the deadline is missed.
2. Get Medical Treatment – the main priority when a work-related injury has occurred should be recuperating and focusing on getting better. Seeking treatment from a medical professional with good reputation can not only help with recovery but also will assist with testimony regarding the injuries.
3. Keep Track of Everything – many successful workers’ compensation claims are won on minute details. Accordingly, keeping a copy of all relevant information is vital for the claims process, mediation and – if it comes to this – a hearing.
4. 4.Transparency Is Key –  your workers’ compensation attorney must be aware of  everything – the good, bad and ugly- relating to your case. Indeed, the more information you provide to legal counsel the better he or she can advocate on your behalf.

Anderson Workers’ Compensation Help

You should hire a South Carolina workers’ compensation lawyer who is well respected and knowledgeable in the law. If you or someone you know has been injured due to the negligence of another and lives or works in South Carolina, contact an experienced Anderson workers’ compensation attorney today who can discuss your case. The legal professionals at The Law Offices of Steven M Krause PA can inform you of your legal rights under the law, including whether or not you are eligible for workers’ compensation. Click here to contact someone today.

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Steven M. Krause

Steven Krause is a personal injury, auto accident, and workers’ compensation lawyer who practices in Anderson, SC. He graduated form the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law and has been practicing law for 40 years now. Steven Krause believes in fighting for the injured. Learn more about his experience here.