Filing a South Carolina workers comp claim comes down to two deadlines and a few clear steps: report the injury to your employer, get medical care, and file with the state before the statute of limitations runs out. This guide walks through the South Carolina process in plain English, with the exact deadlines you cannot miss. All figures are from South Carolina sources, verified as of June 2026.
South Carolina at a Glance
| Report to employer | 90 days (injured worker must give notice of the accident to the employer within 90 days under S.C. Code 42-15-20; report immediately/within a few days is strongly advised) |
| Deadline to file | 2 years (claim must be filed with the SC Workers’ Compensation Commission within 2 years of the accident under S.C. Code 42-15-40; for death, within 2 years of date of death; for occupational disease, 2 years from diagnosis) |
| Where to file | South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission (SCWCC) — file a Form 50 (Employee’s Notice of Claim and/or Request for Hearing) for injury, or Form 52 for a work-related death; file with the Commission at 1333 Main Street, Suite 500, Columbia SC, online, or by certified mail, with a copy to the employer and insurer |
| Choose your doctor? | The employer/insurer generally directs medical care and selects the authorized treating physician in South Carolina. The injured worker normally cannot freely choose their own doctor and have it paid; going to an unauthorized doctor risks the worker paying the bill. In a true emergency you may seek immediate care anywhere. If you disagree with the authorized care, you may request a hearing before the Commission to seek a change of physician or a second opinion. Confirm specifics with the SCWCC and a licensed attorney. |
| Benefits start | Wage-loss (temporary total disability) benefits begin after a 7-day waiting period — compensation starts on the 8th day of disability. If the disability lasts more than 14 days, the worker is then also paid retroactively for the first 7 days. TTD pays 66 2/3% of the average weekly wage, subject to the 2026 maximum weekly rate of 1189.94 (minimum 75). |
In This South Carolina Guide:
Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim in South Carolina
Filing a South Carolina workers comp claim comes down to two deadlines and a few clear steps: report the injury to your employer, get medical care, and file with the state before the statute of limitations runs out. This guide walks through the South Carolina process in plain English, with the exact deadlines you cannot miss. All figures are from South Carolina sources, verified as of June 2026.
How to File a Workers’ Comp Claim in South Carolina
First steps: Report the injury to your employer in writing as soon as possible (do not wait); get medical treatment (in an emergency go to the nearest ER, otherwise the employer/insurer usually directs you to an authorized doctor); document the date, time, witnesses, and how it happened; keep copies of all medical records and reports; confirm your employer files the First Report of Injury; if benefits are not provided,
file a Form 50 with the Commission
1) Report injury to employer (within 90 days). 2) Employer/insurer files the Employer’s First Report of Injury (Form 12A) with the Commission and the worker is directed to an authorized physician. 3) If the claim is accepted, the insurer pays medical and (after the waiting period) wage benefits voluntarily. 4) If benefits are denied, delayed, or disputed, the worker files a Form 50 to request a hearing.
5) A single commissioner holds a hearing and issues a Decision and Order. 6) Either party may request Full Commission (Appellate Panel) review by filing a Form 30 within 14 days. 7) Further appeal goes to the SC Court of Appeals.
Choosing a Doctor in South Carolina
The employer/insurer generally directs medical care and selects the authorized treating physician in South Carolina. The injured worker normally cannot freely choose their own doctor and have it paid; going to an unauthorized doctor risks the worker paying the bill. In a true emergency you may seek immediate care anywhere.
If you disagree with the authorized care, you may request a hearing before the Commission to seek a change of physician or a second opinion. Confirm specifics with the SCWCC and a licensed attorney.
What to Do If Your South Carolina Claim Is Denied
If the claim is denied or disputed, file a Form 50 with the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission to request a contested hearing before a single commissioner (a 50 filing fee applies when a hearing is requested). The commissioner issues a written Decision and Order. To challenge that order, file a Form 30 (Request for Commission Review) for review by the Appellate Panel / Full Commission.
After that, appeals proceed to the SC Court of Appeals. Many claimants consult a licensed SC workers’ comp attorney before a hearing.
Appeal deadline: 14 days (to request Full Commission/Appellate Panel review of a single commissioner’s Decision and Order by filing Form 30 from receipt of the order; a subsequent appeal from the Full Commission to the SC Court of Appeals must be filed within 30 days)
Was your claim denied? A denial is not the end of the road in South Carolina — many denials are overturned on appeal. A workers’ comp attorney can review your case, usually for a free consultation.
What Happens After You File in South Carolina
Once your claim is filed in South Carolina, the employer’s insurer reviews it and either accepts it, asks for more information, or denies it. If it is accepted, your medical treatment is covered and your wage benefits begin after the waiting period.
Keep copies of everything — the injury report, your medical records, and any letters from the insurer — because they are what protect your claim if there is ever a dispute.
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Common Mistakes That Hurt a South Carolina Claim
The two most common ways injured workers in South Carolina lose benefits are missing a deadline and gaps in medical treatment. Report the injury in writing as soon as you can, see a doctor and follow the treatment plan, and do not assume a verbal mention to a supervisor counts as official notice.
If anything about the process is unclear, your state workers’-comp board can walk you through the next step.
Other South Carolina claim rules: South Carolina employers with 4 or more employees must carry workers’ comp coverage. The injured worker is generally not the one who initiates the claim with the Commission unless benefits are not being provided — the employer files the First Report of Injury; the worker files Form 50 only to request a hearing when there is a dispute.
The employer/insurer controls the choice of authorized treating physician. Filing a hearing request (Form 50) carries a 50 fee. The 7-day waiting period becomes payable retroactively only if disability exceeds 14 days. Confirm all figures and deadlines with the SCWCC and a licensed South Carolina attorney.
Filing Your South Carolina Workers Comp Claim the Right Way
A South Carolina workers comp claim stands or falls on two things: hitting the deadlines and documenting the injury. Report the injury to your employer within the state window, file the South Carolina workers comp claim with the right agency before the statute of limitations runs out, and keep seeing your doctor.
Most denied claims come down to a missed deadline or a thin medical record — get both right and your South Carolina workers comp claim is on solid ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to report a work injury in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, you generally must tell your employer within 90 days (injured worker must give notice of the accident to the employer within 90 days under S.C. Code 42-15-20; report immediately/within a few days is strongly advised) of the injury. Report it in writing as soon as you can — waiting can put your benefits at risk.
How long do I have to file a workers’ comp claim in South Carolina?
The South Carolina statute of limitations to file is 2 years (claim must be filed with the SC Workers’ Compensation Commission within 2 years of the accident under S.C. Code 42-15-40; for death, within 2 years of date of death; for occupational disease, 2 years from diagnosis). Reporting the injury and filing the claim are two separate deadlines — do not rely on one to cover the other.
What if my South Carolina workers’ comp claim is denied?
If the claim is denied or disputed, file a Form 50 with the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission to request a contested hearing before a single commissioner (a 50 filing fee applies when a hearing is requested). The commissioner issues a written Decision and Order. To challenge that order, file a Form 30 (Request for Commission Review) for review by the Appellate Panel / Full Commission.
After that, appeals proceed to the SC Court of Appeals. Many claimants consult a licensed SC workers’ comp attorney before a hearing.
Official South Carolina Sources & Resources
- South Carolina South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission (SCWCC): https://wcc.sc.gov
- South Carolina Workers’ Comp Statute: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t42c015.php
- U.S. Department of Labor — Workers’ Comp: dol.gov
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org
This South Carolina workers comp claim guide was last verified against official sources in June 2026. Deadlines and procedures change — confirm the current rule with your state workers’-comp board or a licensed attorney.
More South Carolina Workers’ Comp Guides
- South Carolina Workers’ Comp Settlements
- South Carolina Workers’ Comp Requirements (Employers)
- Workers’ Comp Guides for All 50 States
Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm or insurer. Workers’ comp benefits, settlement values, deadlines, and requirements vary by state and by the specific facts of your injury and change over time, and any settlement figures here are illustrative only.
Confirm your rights and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.