If you’ve suffered a workplace injury in South Carolina, understanding your rights and potential compensation benefits is crucial. One of the most common questions injured workers ask is: How much will I receive in a compensation settlement? While each case is unique, the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Settlement Chart provides a general guideline for calculating possible payment of compensation.
This chart is used by the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission to determine weeks of compensation based on the type and extent of the injured body. In this detailed guide, we’ll explain what the chart is, how it works, how comp benefits are calculated, and what you need to know when pursuing a comp claim.
What Is the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Settlement Chart?
The compensation settlement chart (also called the Scheduled Loss Chart) assigns a number of weeks of compensation for the permanent impairment or loss of various body parts. It helps determine how long an injured worker is entitled to receive weekly compensation payments, and ultimately, the comp settlement amount.
How Are Workers’ Compensation Benefits Calculated in South Carolina?
Here’s the state’s formula for compensation payable:
Compensation = (Average Weekly Wage × 66.67%) × Weeks from Chart
Step-by-Step:
- Determine the Average Weekly Wage (AWW) Based on wages earned in the four quarters before the work-related injury.
- Calculate the Weekly Compensation Rate This is two-thirds of AWW, subject to the state maximum (e.g., ~$1,035.78/week in 2024).
- Determine the Impairment Rating A doctor assigns a percentage reflecting the permanent injury (e.g., 25% impairment to the arm).
- Multiply Rating by Weeks Assigned For example: 220 weeks × 25% = 55 weeks × $500 = $27,500
This calculation determines your total compensation settlement.
The Role of Impairment Ratings
Impairment ratings are critical in any compensation claim. A treating physician (using AMA guidelines) assigns a percentage that reflects the permanent impairment to the injured body. This influences your total disability award.
Disputes over ratings may be resolved through a second opinion or Independent Medical Examination (IME).
Scheduled vs. Unscheduled Injuries
Scheduled Injuries
- Governed by the settlement chart
- Include hand, arm, leg, eye, etc.
- Easier to calculate
Unscheduled Injuries
- Include back, brain, or internal injuries
- Based on loss of earning capacity, not just the chart
- Often involve evidentiary hearing, expert reports, and legal representation
Maximum Compensation in South Carolina
- Maximum weekly compensation rate (2025): Adjusted annually (~$1,035.78 in 2024)
- Maximum total duration: 500 weeks
- Catastrophic injuries (e.g., paralysis, brain trauma): May receive lifetime benefits
What Factors Affect a Compensation Settlement?
While the chart sets a baseline, final compensation settlement amounts depend on:
- Wage history
- Medical condition
- Impairment ratings
- Period of disability
- Pre Existing condition
- Return to work ability
- Negotiation by your compensation lawyer
Lump-Sum Settlement vs. Weekly Payments
South Carolina allows both:
- Lump-sum settlement: Immediate payout but waives future rights
- Weekly compensation payments: Ongoing support but slower
- Be cautious when accepting a clincher agreement, which ends future claims.
Disputes, Mediation & Hearings
If there’s disagreement with the insurance company about compensation payable, rating, or treatment, your case may proceed to:
- Mediation
- Evidentiary hearing before the Commission
- Legal arguments supported by medical care documentation
When to Settle a Workers Comp Claim
Timing matters. Settling before reaching Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) may leave you undercompensated. Wait until your medical condition is stable to accurately estimate future medical expenses, physical therapy, or lost income.
Vocational Rehabilitation & Job Retraining
If your work-related injury prevents returning to the same job:
- You may qualify for vocational rehabilitation
- Services include retraining, counseling, and job placement
- Often paid by the compensation insurance carrier
What If the Injury Isn’t on the Chart?
For non-scheduled injuries or whole-person impairments, settlements are based on:
- Loss of earning capacity
- Permanent disability
- Functional capacity evaluations
- Medical benefits and expert testimony
Common examples: Back injuries, psychological trauma, brain injuries, and internal damage.
The Importance of Medical Documentation
Solid documentation ensures fair evaluation of your comp claim. Include:
- Doctor’s reports
- Diagnostic results (X-rays, MRI)
- Work restrictions
- Treatment and physical condition records
Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Compensation Settlement
- Not reporting the job injury promptly
- Ignoring medical advice
- Settling before MMI
- Trusting the insurance company’s first offer
- Failing to track medical bills, missed work, and expenses
Speak With a Workers’ Compensation Attorney at Ted Law Firm
Navigating the compensation law process is complex. At Ted Law Firm, our experienced compensation attorneys help injured workers understand their rights and pursue the compensation settlement they deserve. We proudly serve clients across all of South Carolina and Georgia including Charleston, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, and Atlanta. No matter where you are in either state, we’re here to help. And remember: you don’t pay a dime unless we win your case.
Attorney Ted Sink, founder of The Ted Law Firm, is a Yale, Stanford Business School, and Charleston School of Law graduate and former marketing executive who built a 7-figure law practice, earning millions for his clients. With experience in both law and advertising, Ted has been recognized in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the ABA Journal. He speaks at industry conferences on marketing and law firm management, sharing insights from his unique background to help other firms grow. When not working, Ted enjoys traveling, diving, and dog-sitting golden retrievers.
