South Carolina Workers' Compensation Calculator
Calculate your workers' compensation benefits including temporary disability pay, permanent disability rating, and medical cost recovery. Our calculator applies your state's specific benefit rates, waiting periods, and settlement rules under South Carolina's specific laws.
What's My South Carolina Case Worth?Quick & easy · Takes 2 minutes · 100% free
In South Carolina, you generally have 2 years to file a workers' compensation claim. What your case is worth depends on your specific damages and South Carolina's laws — use the calculator below for a free estimate of your low-to-high range.
Key South Carolina Laws
| Filing Deadline | 2 years in line with the national average of 1.8 years |
|---|---|
| Negligence System | Modified Comparative Fault (51% Bar) |
| Max Weekly Benefit | $1,022 Below avg ($1,243) |
| TTD Rate | 67% of wages Limited to 500 weeks |
| Waiting Period | 7 days Retroactive after 14 days |
| Employer Notice Deadline | 90 days Must report injury to employer within this period |
| Vocational Rehab | Available State provides job retraining benefits |
How South Carolina Law Affects Your Workers' Compensation Case
Unlike personal injury lawsuits, South Carolina's workers' compensation system does not require proving fault. You are generally entitled to benefits regardless of whether you or your employer caused the injury. The exception: claims may be denied for injuries caused by intoxication, horseplay, or deliberate violation of safety regulations.
South Carolina gives you 2 years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit, which is in line with the national average of 1.8 years. This is a standard timeframe, but acting sooner preserves evidence and strengthens your position.
South Carolina pays temporary total disability (TTD) benefits at 67% of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum of $1,022 per week. This maximum is below the national average of $1,243. TTD benefits in South Carolina are limited to 500 weeks (approximately 9.6 years).
South Carolina relies on the AMA Guides, 6th Edition to assess permanent impairment. Your treating physician or an independent medical examiner assigns a whole-person impairment rating, which is then converted into a disability benefit amount. The specific guide version used in South Carolina can produce ratings that differ meaningfully from those in states using different editions.
In South Carolina, you must report your workplace injury to your employer within 90 days of the accident. This employer notification deadline is separate from — and much shorter than — the 2-year statute of limitations for filing a formal claim. Failing to notify your employer within 90 days can result in your claim being denied or your benefits being reduced, even if you file the formal claim on time. Report the injury in writing and keep a copy for your records.
If your workplace injury prevents you from returning to your prior job in South Carolina, you may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation benefits. These benefits are designed to help injured workers re-enter the workforce through skills training, education, job search assistance, and related support. The goal is to help you achieve employment at wages as close as possible to your pre-injury earnings. Your eligibility is typically determined through a vocational assessment.
South Carolina Workers’ Comp Settlement Chart
These are the inputs the settlement formula (rate x weeks x rating) uses in South Carolina: the weekly compensation rate and its cap, the weeks and waiting rules the state applies, and the guide that sets the impairment rating.
| Wage-replacement (TTD) rate | 67% of average weekly wageTemporary total disability, paid while you cannot work |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,022The weekly ceiling, whatever your wage |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $75The weekly floor for low earners |
| Waiting period | 7 daysPaid back if disability lasts past 14 days |
| Maximum TTD weeks | 500 weeksCap on temporary total disability payments |
| Maximum PPD weeks | 500 weeksCap on permanent partial disability payments |
| Impairment rating guide | AMA Guides, 6th EditionSets the impairment percentage in the formula |
The formula is rate x weeks x rating. On a $1,200 average weekly wage, South Carolina's 67% rate gives a $800 rate, below the $1,022 maximum. One hundred scheduled weeks at a 10% rating turns that into $8,000. Your own wage, your body part's scheduled weeks and your rating replace every placeholder here; the figure is an illustration, not a prediction for any claim.
- Average weekly wage (placeholder)
- $1,200
- Compensation rate (67% of wages)
- $800, below the $1,022 maximum
- Scheduled weeks (placeholder)
- 100 weeks
- Impairment rating (placeholder)
- 10%
- Permanent partial award in this example
- $8,000
Read more: Workers' Comp Settlement Chart · How Much Does Workers' Comp Pay
How Does South Carolina Compare?
South Carolina Workers' Compensation FAQs
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Legal Disclaimer
This calculator uses South Carolina's statutes as of 2026-08-24. Laws change frequently. This tool provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current rules with a South Carolina-licensed attorney before making decisions about your case. Learn about our methodology.
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What's My South Carolina Case Worth?