Free South Carolina workers comp calculator for 2026. SC gives employers near-total control of medical care and a 90-day notice window. Estimate TTD and PPD under Title 42.
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No fake verdicts, invented averages, or testimonials. Dollar examples are hypothetical only. Verify rates with South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission.
South Carolina workers' compensation law gives employers one of the strongest medical-control positions in the country: the employer selects the treating physician, and the employee has no independent right to choose a different doctor (FindLaw confirmed). Combined with the longest notice period in this group (90 days per FindLaw) and mandatory Commission approval for settlements, South Carolina's system is distinctly employer-friendly on medical treatment while providing structured administrative process for disputed claims.
| Rule | South Carolina (SC) |
|---|---|
| TTD rate | 66 2/3% of AWW |
| Max weekly formula | 100% of SAWW |
| Waiting period | 7 days |
| Retroactive threshold | 14 days (if disability exceeds 14 days, first 7 days compensated) |
| Statute of limitations | 2 years from injury or last payment |
| Notice | 90 days written notice to employer (longest in this group) |
| System | Administrative (SC Workers' Compensation Commission, commissioners) |
| Settlement approval | Commission approval mandatory; clincher agreements (full-and-final) and Form 16 used |
| Doctor choice | Employer selects treating physician; employee has no independent right to choose |
| Coverage threshold | 4+ employees |
| Governing law | S.C. Code Ann. Title 42 |
| Notable rule | Employer controls medical treatment selection almost entirely. The 90-day notice period is the longest in this group. Section 42-9-30 provides a detailed scheduled-loss chart. |
Under section 42-9-10, TTD pays 66 2/3 percent of the average weekly wage, capped at 100 percent of SAWW (FindLaw confirmed rate and cap). The minimum is $75. The 7-day waiting period with a 14-day retroactive threshold (FindLaw confirmed) is standard. TTD continues for up to 500 weeks or until MMI.
The 500-week TTD cap is longer than Mississippi's 450 weeks but still imposes an outer boundary. PTD may extend beyond 500 weeks if permanent and continuous. Four or more employees trigger mandatory coverage (FindLaw confirmed).
Scheduled weeks for permanent partial disability. Verify with South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission.
| Body part | Weeks |
|---|---|
| Thumb | 65 |
| Index finger | 40 |
| Middle finger | 35 |
| Ring finger | 25 |
| Little finger | 20 |
| Hand | 185 |
| Arm | 220 |
| Great toe | 35 |
| Foot | 140 |
| Leg | 195 |
| Eye | 140 |
| Hearing (one ear) | 52 |
| Hearing (both) | 150 |
Educational estimate only. Verify rates with South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission.
South Carolina's employer selects the treating physician, and the employee must treat with that doctor (FindLaw confirmed: "No employee choice available; employer selects the medical provider"). Changing physicians requires Commission approval with good cause shown (inadequate treatment, refusal to refer, or geographic inaccessibility).
This impacts settlement valuation because the employer-selected physician controls the impairment rating, MMI determination, and opinions on work capacity. Unlike Mississippi where employee choice allows selection of a doctor who may assign a higher rating, South Carolina workers are generally bound by the employer's doctor's assessment.
Section 42-15-20 requires written notice within 90 days (FindLaw confirmed: "Up to 90 days to report injury to employer"). While generous compared to 20-day or 30-day requirements, delayed reporting can complicate medical evidence and give employers grounds to dispute causation. Failure to provide timely notice can bar the claim unless the employer had actual knowledge.
Settlements require Commission approval. Two mechanisms exist: clincher agreements (Form 16A, full-and-final closing all future rights including medical) and Form 16 agreements (which may leave certain rights open). The Commission scrutinizes whether the worker understands finality and whether the amount is reasonable. The 2-year statute of limitations (FindLaw confirmed) governs filing.
A clincher agreement typically includes a lump-sum payment in exchange for the worker releasing all future workers' compensation rights, including ongoing medical treatment related to the injury. Workers should carefully evaluate whether future medical costs (surgery, physical therapy, prescription medications, durable medical equipment) are adequately addressed before agreeing to a clincher. Once the Commission approves the clincher, it is generally final except in rare fraud cases.
The employer selects the treating physician and is responsible for all reasonable treatment. The employer may authorize a panel but the employee's ability to switch is limited. Emergency treatment is always covered. Unauthorized specialist visits may not be compensable. Disputes are resolved by the Commission through hearings.
The practical effect of employer medical control in South Carolina is that workers must build a strong paper trail if they believe their treatment is inadequate. Documenting complaints, requesting referrals in writing, and preserving copies of all medical correspondence strengthens a petition for change of physician before the Commission. Workers who obtain unauthorized treatment risk having those bills denied entirely.
No. The employer selects the treating physician. You can petition the Commission for a change with good cause shown.
A Form 16A full-and-final settlement closing all future rights including medical. Once Commission-approved, it cannot be reopened except for fraud.
Ninety days. This is the longest notice period in this group. Written notice to the employer is required.
100 percent of the SAWW, published annually by the SC Workers' Compensation Commission.
Four or more regular employees.
Yes. Scheduled injuries are limited to the weeks in section 42-9-30. Unscheduled injuries are capped at 500 weeks based on impairment and loss of earning capacity.
No. SettlementCalculator.xyz is operated by Mustafa Bilgic, a non-attorney individual operator. Consult a licensed South Carolina attorney.
Visit the SC Workers' Compensation Commission at wcc.sc.gov or contact their office.