How much does workers' comp pay in South Carolina?
- South Carolina temporary total pays 66⅔% of average weekly wage, up to $1,189.94 a week for 2026 injuries ($1,134.43 for 2025), with a $75 minimum or full wages if lower.
- At $1,200 AWW the rate is $800.
- The 2026 maximum was corrected from $1,178.30 retroactive to January 1, 2026.
Official-source review: . General guidance, not legal advice.
Calculate South Carolina ordinary total-disability pay
Estimated weekly TTD
$800.00
Assumes full temporary disability and a correct AWW. Does not establish eligibility, apply waiting periods or offsets, or model partial disability.
South Carolina permanent-award rules: what actually drives the payout
- South Carolina scheduled permanent partial disability = loss percentage × scheduled weeks × 66⅔% of AWW, within the same maximum and minimum as TTD.
- Schedule: arm 220 weeks, hand 185, leg 195, foot 140, eye 140.
- A back with less than 50% loss of use uses 300 weeks; 50% or more creates a rebuttable presumption of permanent total disability.
- A 10% arm rating at $1,200 AWW is 22 weeks × $800 = $17,600.
Medical impairment, legal disability and loss of earning capacity are different measurements. Use the established award category and applicable rate before doing dollar arithmetic. Do not borrow a rating from Social Security, the VA or another state.
| Award basis | Full-loss / full-person weeks |
|---|---|
| Back (under 50% loss of use) | 300 |
| Arm | 220 |
| Hand | 185 |
| Leg | 195 |
| Foot | 140 |
| Eye | 140 |
How to evaluate a South Carolina settlement
- A South Carolina commissioner must approve settlements; unrepresented workers attend an informal conference.
- An approved Agreement and Final Release (clincher) can close future medical and compensation unless rights are expressly reserved.
- A Form 16 agreement is not the same as a final release.
- Check the wage worksheet, award classification, rating evidence and unpaid benefits.
- Identify exactly which medical conditions, future treatment and wage-loss rights are released.
- Separate gross value from prior payments, approved fees, liens and other adjustments.
- Review Medicare and Social Security coordination when relevant; a medical allocation is not an automatic settlement multiplier.
South Carolina workers' compensation rates by injury date
Dated rate history from official South Carolina sources, reviewed . Looking for employer premiums? See workers' comp insurance cost by state.
| Injury period | Weekly maximum | Minimum basis |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 – December 31, 2026 | $1,189.94 | $75.00; no more than actual wages |
| January 1 – December 31, 2025 | $1,134.43 | $75.00; no more than actual wages |
South Carolina scheduled PPD uses the same maximum and $75 minimum as TTD. The 2026 maximum was corrected to $1,189.94 retroactive to January 1, 2026.
Reporting, filing and official sources
- Notify your employer as soon as practicable and ordinarily within 90 days.
- File a claim with the Workers' Compensation Commission within two years after the accident; an employer's report is not your filing.
South Carolina benefit questions
How much does workers' comp pay in South Carolina?+
South Carolina temporary total pays 66⅔% of average weekly wage, up to $1,189.94 a week for 2026 injuries ($1,134.43 for 2025), with a $75 minimum or full wages if lower. At $1,200 AWW the rate is $800. The 2026 maximum was corrected from $1,178.30 retroactive to January 1, 2026.
How do permanent disability benefits work in South Carolina?+
South Carolina scheduled permanent partial disability = loss percentage × scheduled weeks × 66⅔% of AWW, within the same maximum and minimum as TTD. Schedule: arm 220 weeks, hand 185, leg 195, foot 140, eye 140. A back with less than 50% loss of use uses 300 weeks; 50% or more creates a rebuttable presumption of permanent total disability. A 10% arm rating at $1,200 AWW is 22 weeks × $800 = $17,600.
Can a South Carolina settlement close future medical care?+
A South Carolina commissioner must approve settlements; unrepresented workers attend an informal conference. An approved Agreement and Final Release (clincher) can close future medical and compensation unless rights are expressly reserved. A Form 16 agreement is not the same as a final release.
What are the reporting and filing deadlines in South Carolina?+
Notify your employer as soon as practicable and ordinarily within 90 days. File a claim with the Workers' Compensation Commission within two years after the accident; an employer's report is not your filing.
What happens with a 50% back rating in South Carolina?+
At least 50% loss of use of the back creates a rebuttable presumption of permanent total disability under §42-9-30(21). Below 50%, the back is paid on a 300-week proportional basis.
Is South Carolina's PPD rate capped lower than TTD?+
No. Scheduled PPD uses the same 66⅔% rate and the same maximum and minimum as TTD for the injury year.
Can South Carolina benefits last a lifetime?+
Qualifying paraplegia, quadriplegia or physical brain damage causing permanent total disability is excepted from the ordinary 500-week limit.
What is South Carolina wage-loss partial disability?+
Under §42-9-20 it pays 66⅔% of the difference between pre-injury AWW and post-injury earning capacity, capped at the maximum, for up to 340 weeks from injury. It is separate from a scheduled award.
Does surgery guarantee a larger South Carolina settlement?+
No. Surgery can change treatment costs, restrictions and medical evidence, but there is no automatic surgery multiplier. Permanent disability must be established under the applicable rules. Compare the benefits released and future care needs, not just the procedure name.
Are South Carolina workers' comp benefits taxable?+
Benefits paid under a workers' compensation law for an occupational injury or illness are generally excluded from federal income tax. Returned-to-work wages, retirement payments and Social Security offsets can have different tax treatment. Review IRS Publication 525 and seek tax advice for the agreement's allocations.
Can I receive pain and suffering through South Carolina workers' comp?+
Workers' compensation generally does not award pain and suffering. A separate claim against a responsible third party may allow different damages, but employer immunity and reimbursement rights need separate legal review.
When should I compare a South Carolina settlement offer?+
Compare an offer after understanding the wage calculation, medical condition, permanent-award category, unpaid benefits and rights released. There is no guaranteed settlement timeline. A bigger lump sum may be worse if it transfers expensive future treatment to you.
Where can I verify my South Carolina benefit rate?+
Use the official agency resources linked on this page and the written rate calculation in your claim. Injury date, benefit category, wage records and applicable limits matter. An entered rate is not independently verified by this calculator.
These calculations are estimates based on your inputs and general workers' compensation formulas. Actual benefits depend on state law, your specific injury, employer insurance carrier, and other factors. This is not legal advice. Consult a licensed workers' compensation attorney for guidance specific to your claim.