South Carolina workers comp Form 20 is the Statement of Earnings of Injured Employee. Your employer files it, not you. It lists what you earned before you got hurt. That wage history is used to work out your weekly check. If you are hurt and worried about money, this form matters more than its plain look suggests. It is worth checking closely.
What the South Carolina Workers Comp Form 20 Is For
In most cases, your weekly workers comp check is based on your past pay. The South Carolina workers comp Form 20 records that pay. It shows your wages for the period before your injury. It can also show other pay, like overtime or meals and lodging provided by your employer. As a result, the form drives your average weekly wage. Your compensation rate comes from that wage. Because of this, a small mistake here can shrink every check you receive.
For example, if overtime is left off, your average wage may look lower than it really was. Your benefit would then be lower too. The form also helps when a case goes to a hearing or a settlement talk. Typically, everyone uses the same wage numbers from this form. Any settlement figures you hear are illustrative only, and every case is different. Here are the key facts about the form.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Form number | Form 20 |
| Form title | Statement of Earnings of Injured Employee |
| Who files | the employer |
| Where filed | South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission |
| Fee | No fee |
| Official PDF | Form 20 official PDF |
Who Files the South Carolina Workers Comp Form 20 and When
The employer files the South Carolina workers comp Form 20. In practice, the employer’s insurance carrier often helps prepare it. The employer knows your payroll history. So the law puts this job on them, not on you. You can still play a part. You can ask for a copy, compare it to your pay stubs, and speak up if something looks wrong.
Timing depends on where your claim stands. Typically, the wage statement is needed once benefits start or once a dispute over your wage comes up. It is also commonly needed before a hearing or a settlement is approved. The Commission’s rules set the exact timing. We do not list a day count here because it can change and depends on the stage of your case.
If you have not filed your claim yet, start there. Our guide on how to file a South Carolina workers comp claim walks through the steps. You can also review South Carolina workers comp requirements to see which employers must carry coverage.
How to Fill It Out and Where to Send It
The form asks for basic facts first. These include your name, the employer, the carrier, and the date of injury. Then it asks for your wages over the period before the injury, broken into time periods. It also asks about days missed and any extra pay or benefits. Finally, it shows the average weekly wage the employer calculated. Someone must sign to say the numbers are correct.
Common problems are easy to spot if you know where to look. Here are the ones that cause the most trouble:
- Overtime or bonus pay left out.
- Pay from a second job not counted when the rules allow it.
- Gaps or weeks missing from the wage period.
- The wrong date of injury.
- Missing signatures or blank sections.
Incomplete forms may be sent back or questioned. As a result, your benefits could be delayed. The employer or carrier usually files the form with the Commission electronically or by mail. Check the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission forms page for current filing methods. You can view the blank form at the official South Carolina workers comp Form 20 PDF. There is no fee to file it.
What Happens After You File
Once the South Carolina workers comp Form 20 is on file, the carrier uses it to set your compensation rate. Your weekly checks should match that rate. If you think the wage is too low, you can raise the issue. In most cases, the first step is asking the carrier to correct it. If that does not work, you may be able to ask the Commission to decide. A hearing may follow, and the Commission will look at the wage record.
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The Commission does not take sides. However, it can answer questions about filings and case status. You can learn more about how it works on our South Carolina workers comp board page. Keep copies of your pay stubs and anything you receive about your wage. Those records help if your rate is ever questioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to fill out the South Carolina workers comp Form 20 myself?
No. The employer files the South Carolina workers comp Form 20. However, you can ask for a copy and check it against your own pay records. If anything is missing, tell the carrier in writing.
What if my employer never files the South Carolina workers comp Form 20?
Your rate may be delayed or based on incomplete numbers. You may contact the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission to ask about your file. A licensed attorney can also help you push for the wage statement to be filed.
Can a wrong wage on this form lower my settlement?
It can. Many South Carolina claimants find that settlement talks start from the average weekly wage on file. Settlement amounts are illustrative and every case is different, so confirm the wage is correct before you agree to anything.
South carolina workers comp form 20: Quick Recap
If you remember one thing about south carolina workers comp form 20, make it this: the rule is set by the state (or the federal program), not by the insurer, and the official source is linked above. Every figure on this page about south carolina workers comp form 20 should be confirmed with the agency before you act on it.
Questions about south carolina workers comp form 20 that this page does not answer are usually answered for free by the state workers’ comp agency’s information line — and, for a disputed claim, by a licensed attorney in a first consultation.
See your state’s exact numbers
What you are owed depends on your state’s benefit caps and deadlines. Start with your state’s settlement and claim guides for the exact figures.
Sources & How to Verify
The figures on this page come from official government and industry sources. Workers’ comp benefit caps, deadlines, and rules change, so always confirm the exact figure with your state’s workers’ comp board or a licensed attorney before acting. Settlement estimates are illustrative, and every case is different.
- Your state workers’ comp board, division, or commission: the official source for your state’s exact caps, deadlines, and forms — search “[your state] workers compensation board”
- U.S. Department of Labor (OWCP): dol.gov — federal workers’ compensation overview
- NCCI: ncci.com — workers’ comp rating and benefit data
- Social Security Administration: ssa.gov — benefit-cap and SSDI offset data
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org — neutral workers’ comp background
Content last reviewed October 2026. If you notice an outdated figure, please contact us.
Related Guides
- South Carolina Workers Comp Board
- How to File a South Carolina Workers Comp Claim
- South Carolina Workers Comp Requirements
- Workers Comp Settlements by State (All 50)
- Workers Comp Claims by State (All 50)
- More in This Category
- Settlements by Injury
- Benefits Explained
- Workers Comp Glossary
Informational only — not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, insurer, or medical or financial advisor, and this page does not provide legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers’ compensation benefits, deadlines, and rules vary by state and change over time, and settlement estimates are illustrative only. Always confirm the exact figure and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.