What Is a Workers' Compensation Case in Charleston, SC?
Roden Law represents injured workers across Charleston and the Lowcountry — Mount Pleasant, West Ashley, James Island, Johns Island, and Daniel Island — in South Carolina workers’ compensation claims. Workers’ comp is a no-fault system, so you do not have to prove your employer was negligent to receive benefits. We handle every claim on a […]
— Reviewed by Graeham C. Gillin, Partner, COO at Roden Law ·
Key Takeaways
If you were hurt on the job in Charleston, South Carolina, report the injury to your employer within 90 days of the injury (S.C. Code § 42-15-20), then file your claim with the S.C. Workers' Compensation Commission (Form 50) — 2 years from the date of injury (S.C. Code § 42-15-40). South Carolina workers' compensation is a no-fault system: you do not have to prove your employer was negligent, and being partly at fault does not bar benefits. It does not, however, pay for pain and suffering. If someone other than your employer contributed to the injury, a separate third-party claim may recover damages workers' compensation cannot. Roden Law represents injured Charleston workers on a contingency fee: the consultation is free and there is no fee unless we win.
Why Hire Workers' Compensation Lawyers in Charleston?
Your employer’s insurance carrier is not neutral and does not represent you. Charleston claims frequently arise from hospitality, port and construction work, where injuries are attributed to pre-existing conditions and light-duty offers are used to cut off temporary benefits early.
We file the claim correctly, contest denials before the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission, press for an appropriate treating physician and an accurate impairment rating, and pursue any third-party claim that runs alongside the compensation case rather than being absorbed by it.
Serving all of South Carolina: see our statewide South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Lawyers page for South Carolina’s filing deadline, comparative-fault rule, and how these cases work across the state.
What to Do After a Workplace Injury in Charleston, SC
- Report the injury to your employer. Notify a supervisor or HR in writing within 90 days of the injury (S.C. Code § 42-15-20). This is the deadline injured workers miss most often, and missing it can bar your claim entirely.
- Get medical care from an authorized physician. Your employer should post a panel of physicians. Treating outside that panel without approval can leave you responsible for the bills and give the insurer a reason to dispute your claim — ask for the panel before you choose a doctor, except in an emergency.
- Ask for the posted panel of physicians in writing. If your employer has no valid posted panel, or refuses to provide it, you may be entitled to choose your own treating doctor. Keep a copy of the request.
- Document the injury and the conditions that caused it. Photograph the equipment, work area, and any hazard. Note who witnessed the incident and what you reported, to whom, and when. Keep copies of every form you sign.
- File your claim before the deadline. Reporting the injury to your employer is not the same as filing a claim. File with the S.C. Workers' Compensation Commission (Form 50) — 2 years from the date of injury (S.C. Code § 42-15-40).
- Do not give a recorded statement without advice. The insurance adjuster works for your employer's carrier, not for you. You are generally not required to give a recorded statement before speaking with an attorney.
- Ask whether you also have a third-party claim. Workers' compensation does not pay for pain and suffering. If someone other than your employer contributed to the injury — a negligent driver, a contractor on site, or a defective machine's manufacturer — a separate claim may recover damages comp cannot. Roden Law offers free consultations.
South Carolina Workers' Compensation Law
Types of Workers' Compensation Cases We Handle in Charleston
Do I Have a Workers' Compensation Case in Charleston?
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault statutory scheme that *replaces* common-law negligence: the injured worker need not prove fault, but in exchange gives up the right to sue the employer for tort damages (the “exclusive remedy” bar). To qualify, the injury must “arise out of and in the course of” employment. In South Carolina, workers’ compensation is governed by S.C. Code § 42-1-10 et seq. Third-party tort claims against non-employer tortfeasors remain available (e.g., a defective machine manufacturer, a negligent driver who hits you at work, a property owner where you were injured) and can be pursued in parallel with the workers’ comp claim.
Types of Compensation in South Carolina Workers' Compensation Cases
There is no recovery for pain and suffering in workers’ compensation — only statutory benefits: medical (uncapped, related), temporary total disability (TTD) at 2/3 of average weekly wage subject to a state maximum, permanent partial disability per the body-part schedule, and (for fatalities) death benefits to surviving dependents. South Carolina TTD tracks the statewide average weekly wage, with permanent partial disability scheduled by body part under S.C. Code § 42-9-30. Third-party tort recoveries fund the noneconomic damages workers’ comp does not cover.
Roden Law Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Charleston, SC Results at a Glance
| $300M+ | Recovered for injured clients across Georgia and South Carolina |
|---|---|
| 4.9 / 5.0 | Average client rating across hundreds of verified Google reviews from our six offices |
| 5,000+ | Cases successfully handled since 2013 |
| 62 years | Combined attorney experience across 5 office locations |
Source: Roden Law firm records and verified Google Business Profile reviews, updated August 2026.
Our Charleston Attorneys
Recent Case Results
Results shown are gross settlement/verdict amounts before fees and costs. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Local Workers' Compensation Resources
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Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Our Charleston Office Today
If you were injured in Charleston and believe another party is at fault, contact us for a free, no-obligation review. Call (843) 790-8999 — no upfront cost.