Workers' Compensation Information and FAQs

Worker's Compensation Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Workers' Compensation?

  The State Accident Fund (SAF) provides Workers' Compensation insurance coverage to the employees of the College of Charleston. When work-related accidents or injuries happen, employers are required by state law to make sure an injured employee is provided necessary protection and care. Under SC Workers' Compensation law, an injured worker is entitled to reasonable medical care (at no cost to the employee) for the duration of his/her injury, until such time that "maximum medical improvement" (MMI) has been reached, as determined by the authorized treating physician. South Carolina law allows the employer/insurance carrier to designate a physician. The authorized treating physician for the College is Doctors Care.

  If you are injured on the job you may be eligible for Workers' Compensation benefits. Benefits may include payment for medical treatment, temporary disability income, and compensation for permanent disability. Injured employees should immediately report any on-the-job injury to their supervisor and seek medical treatment as outlined in this policy. All injuries must be reported, regardless of their severity. If you have additional questions, contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety at 843.953.6802 or 843.514.1850.

• Who is Covered?

  In general, all employees of the College who are paid through the College payroll system are covered by workers' compensation. This includes all classified, unclassified, temporary, adjunct and student employees. Any accidental injury or occupational disease sustained by employees in the course of performing their job duties may be covered.

• How is Workers' Compensation Paid?

  Before benefits can be received, the State Accident Fund must determine that an injury is job related and accept liability. There are four types of compensation that may be applicable after the Accident Fund accepts liability:

  1.  Lost Wages

  While recovering from your injury, you are entitled to weekly compensation at the rate of 66 2/3 percent of your average weekly wage, but not more than the average weekly wage in South Carolina for the preceding fiscal year. How long payments continue depends on the injury and how long you are unable to work as a result of it. If you have a second job with another employer, you must submit that salary information to the WCC so that income can be included in the calculations. Workers' Compensation benefits are not subject to state or federal taxes.

  Payment is based on a seven day work week, regardless of the number of days a week you work. This means your daily payment is one-seventh of your weekly payment.

  There is a waiting period before benefits can be paid. The waiting period is the first seven calendar days after the accident. You do not receive compensation for these seven days if you are disabled for 14 days or less. If you are disabled for more than 14 calendar days, you will receive compensation beginning with the first day missed.

  You are required by law to make a written choice using the Benefits Election Form to designate whether you wish to use your leave time (sick and annual leave), receive Workers' Compensation benefits, or use your leave time in conjunction with Workers' Compensation benefits to compensate for time lost from work due to a work related injury. Once you elect to use leave or Workers' Compensation and begin receiving payment, you cannot change your decision.

  The Coordinator will meet with you to thoroughly explain the Benefits Election Form and to make sure you fully understand your options under this requirement before you make a decision.

  2. Approved Medical Expenses

  Approved medical expenses are covered at 100 percent. This includes hospital and doctors' charges, medicines, therapy, prosthetic devices and travel expenses for obtaining medical attention more than five miles from home. Medical bills should be forwarded to the WCC in Human Resources who will forward them to the State Accident Fund for payment.

  3. Permanent Impairment OR Disfigurement

  After you have healed as much as possible from your injury, your doctor will estimate whether you have any permanent impairment or disfigurement. If you have a permanent impairment, you may be entitled to additional compensation. Different amounts of compensation are due for the loss of, or loss of use of various parts of the body.

  4. Death Benefits

  If you should die due to a work related injury, your family may be entitled to Workers' Compensation benefits.

• Do I need to report an injury at work if I do not need medical care?

  Yes, all work related injuries, no matter how minor, must be reported right away.

• Are all College employees covered by workers' compensation?

  All college employees are paid through the College of Charleston payroll system are covered by workers' compensation. This includes faculty, staff, adjunct, temporary, and student employees.

• What do I do if medical bills are sent to me for an injury I had at work?

  Take the bills received to the workers' compensation coordinator, Cliff Hamilton (hamiltoncn@cofc.edu). The coordinator will contact the medical provider and make sure that they bill the state accident fund in the future. In addition, the coordinator will forward the bill you received in error to the state accident fund for payment.

• What is a workers' compensation informal conference or hearing?

  An informal conference or hearing may be scheduled before the S.C. Workers' Compensation Commission to settle disputed issues and determine what compensation is due an injured employee. An informal conference is an opportunity for you and representatives from the College and the State Accident Fund to meet informally with a Workers' Compensation Commissioner or claims mediator to discuss settlement of your claim. If a settlement cannot be reached at the informal conference, a hearing will be scheduled.

  A hearing is a formal proceeding before a commissioner or a panel of commissioners, during which you and other appropriate witnesses will testify under oath about your claim. The commissioners' ruling determines whether you are due compensation, and how much compensation you are due. You or your representative may request a hearing. Forms to request a hearing are available from the S.C. Workers' Compensation Commission, P.O. Box 102100, Columbia, S.C. 29211-2100. Telephone: 1.800.521.6576. Fax: 803.731.1428.

• I was injured at work and I need to get a prescription filled. What do I do?

  Contact the workers' compensation coordinator so that the prescription can be authorized and billed to the state accident fund. Not all pharmacies will bill the state accident fund so make sure that you contact the workers' compensation coordinator before dropping off your prescription.