In South Carolina, an employee who suffers an on-the-job injury may file a claim seeking workers’ compensation benefits. The three primary benefits of filing a claim for workers’ compensation are medical treatment of the employee’s injury, financial compensation for any period that the employee is held out of work by the treating physician due to the injury, and financial compensation for any permanent disability the employee has sustained following the completion of medical treatment.

Because workers’ compensation coverage only applies to injured employees, questions often arise as to whether an injured worker is an employee or an independent contractor. On June 23, 2021, the South Carolina Court of Appeals issued an opinion in Ramirez v. May River Roofing, Inc., et al., Appellate Case No. 2018-000652 addressing this common question.

In Ramirez, the question presented to the Court was whether Claimant, who was severely injured as result of a fall from a roof while performing repairs, was an employee of May River Roofing or whether he was an independent contractor, as May River Roofing asserted. In addressing this question, the Court stated:

Under settled law, the determination of whether a claimant is an employee or independent contractor focuses on the issue of control, specifically whether the purported employer had the right to control the claimant in the performance of his work. . . In evaluating the right of control, the Court examines four factors which serve as a means of analyzing the work relationship as a whole: (1) direct evidence of the right or exercise of control; (2) furnishing of equipment; (3) method of payment; and (4) right to fire.

Analyzing these factors, the Court held that (1) May River Roofing had the right to and exercised control over Ramirez in a manner consistent with an employment relationship, (2) the furnishing equipment factor weighed in favor of an employment relationship between the parties, (3) the method of payment factor weighed in favor of an independent contractor relationship, and (4) the right to fire prong did not favor either party. Considering these factors, and taking into consideration May River Roofing’s entire operation, the Court concluded that Ramirez was an employee of May River Roofing, and therefore was entitled to workers’ compensation coverage and benefits.

Due to the various issues that may arise during a workers compensation claim, including as to treatment and other available benefits, an employee suffering an on-the-job injury is strongly encouraged to consult with an experienced workers compensation attorney. To consult with the attorneys at Liberty Oak Law Firm, please call (843) 671-5550 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The foregoing is designed for general information only. The information is not, nor is it intended to be, and shall not be accepted or relied upon as legal advice. You should immediately consult an attorney for advice for your specific matter. Nothing contained in this website nor the submission of information via this website shall form an attorney-client relationship.

In South Carolina, an employee who suffers an on-the-job injury may file a claim seeking workers’ compensation benefits. The three primary benefits of filing a claim for workers’ compensation are medical treatment of the employee’s injury, financial compensation for any period of time that the employee is held out of work by the treating physician due to the injury, and financial compensation for any permanent disability the employee has sustained following the completion of medical treatment.

The South Carolina Code of Laws includes a section entitled The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law, S.C. Code Section 42-1-10. This section of the law addresses employees’ and employers’ rights and responsibilities relating to claims arising from on-the-job injuries. The following are common questions relating to South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law.

The South Carolina Code of Laws includes a section entitled The South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law, S.C. Code Section 42-1-10. This section of the law addresses employees’ and employers’ rights and responsibilities relating to claims arising from on-the-job injuries.

When an employee is injured on the job in South Carolina, the injured employee is entitled to medical treatment of any causally related medical condition, paid for by the employer or its insurance carrier. Additionally, the employer is required to provide transportation to such treatment, as well as translation services as needed. Such medical treatment is to be provided by the employer until the treating physician determines that the employee’s condition has reached “maximum medical improvement,” meaning that further medical treatment is unlikely to improve the employee’s condition. Notably, the employer may select the treating physician and is entitled to access to all medical records relating to the treatment.

While the injured employee is receiving medical treatment, the treating physician may hold the employee out of work to assist the employee’s recovery. If the injured employee is held out of work by the treating physician for eight or more days the employer is required to provide weekly temporary total disability payments to the employee at the rate of two-thirds of the employee’s pre-injury weekly wages.

Once the employee has reached “maximum medical improvement,” if the employee has sustained any physical impairment he or she is entitled to compensation for any resulting disability. Such disability is determined by a mathematical formula set forth in the workers’ compensation law. If an agreement is not reached between the injured employee and the employer as to the amount of such compensation the Workers’ Compensation Commission may decide the appropriate amount.

Due to the various issues that may arise during a workers’ compensation claim, including regarding treatment, temporary total disability payments, and benefits for permanent disability, an employee suffering an on-the-job injury is strongly encouraged to consult with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. To consult with the attorneys at Liberty Oak Law Firm, please call (843) 671-5550 or email attorney Joseph DuBois at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The foregoing is designed for general information only. The information is not, nor is it intended to be, and shall not be accepted or relied upon as legal advice. You should immediately consult an attorney for advice for your specific matter. Nothing contained in this website nor the submission of information via this website shall form an attorney-client relationship.