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    South Carolina workers’ compensation law, S.C. Code § 42-9-30, outlines the “schedule of benefits,” which assigns specific monetary values to impacted body parts when calculating permanent disability benefits. Understanding these body part values and how they are calculated can help injured workers get a general idea of what their permanent disability benefits should be after a work injury.

    However, this information is provided for general educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Many factors can affect the value of your workers’ compensation case, and there may be exceptions or additional considerations that influence how these rules apply. For a clear understanding of how this information affects your specific situation, there’s no substitute for legal advice. Get a consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney and follow their guidance. The team at Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers is available to review your case and help you understand your rights and potential benefits under South Carolina law.

    Why Body Part Values Exist in Workers’ Compensation

    Workers’ compensation systems were designed to provide predictable benefits for workplace injuries.

    To accomplish this, the law assigns a maximum number of weeks of compensation for injuries involving certain body parts.

    Instead of debating the value of each injury individually, the schedule creates standardized compensation limits.

    However, the amount actually paid still depends on factors like impairment ratings,  wages, and permanent disability.

    South Carolina Workers’ Comp Body Part Value Chart

    The South Carolina body part weekly compensation chart, a cornerstone of workers’ comp settlement process, categorizes injuries by type and body part affected, assigning a specific value in weeks of compensation for each.

    Some examples from South Carolina’s schedule of benefits include:

    Body Part Number of Weeks
    Thumb 65
    Finger – Index 40
    Finger – Second 35
    Finger – Third 25
    Finger – Fourth 20
    First Phalange – Thumb to Finger Half of the specified period for that finger
    Two+ Phalanges of Fingers Equal to entire finger, up to loss of hand
    Big Toe 35
    Other Toes 10
    First Phalange – Any Toe Half of specified period of that toe
    Two+ Phalanges Equal to loss of entire toe
    Hand 85
    Arm 200
    Shoulder 300
    Foot 140
    Leg 195
    Hip 280
    Eye or Vision 140
    Hearing – One Ear 80+ Proportional Benefits for Total or Partial Loss of Hearing
    Hearing – Two Ears 165+ Proportional Benefits for Total or Partial Loss of Hearing
    Back – 49% or Less 300
    Back – 50% or More 500, Rebuttable Presumption of Total and Permanent Disability
    Other Member or Organ 500
    Disfigurement to the Face, Head, Neck, or Other Area Normally Exposed in Employment Up to 500

     

    These numbers represent the maximum number of weeks of benefits available for the loss or permanent disability of that body part.

    How Body Part Values Work With Impairment Ratings

    In most cases, the full number of weeks is not automatically awarded to a claimant. Instead, a doctor assigns a percentage of impairment rating.

    For example:

    • Arm value: 220 weeks
    • Impairment rating: 10%
    • Base benefit: 22 weeks of compensation

    Those weeks are then multiplied by the worker’s weekly compensation rate, equal to two-thirds of their average weekly wages up to the cap mandated by the Workers’ Compensation Commission.

    The South Carolina workers’ comp body part value chart becomes especially important when an injury affects more than one body part.Davis Rice attorney in Clinton SC

    For example, a maintenance supervisor represented by Attorney Davis Rice of Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers suffered a devastating workplace accident when his hand was pulled into industrial rollers during equipment maintenance.

    The injury resulted in the amputation of four fingers, leaving only his thumb. Under the South Carolina workers’ compensation body part value chart, the loss of a hand carries a value of 185 weeks of compensation.

    However, during recovery the worker also developed significant shoulder pain. An MRI later revealed a torn rotator cuff, an additional injury valued at 300 weeks under the workers’ comp settlement chart.

    Initially, the workers’ compensation insurer denied the shoulder injury as unrelated to the accident. Attorney Rice challenged that decision and pushed the case toward a hearing before the Workers’ Compensation Commission.

    Once the shoulder injury was included, the claim involved multiple body part values from the workers’ comp body parts payout chart, dramatically increasing the potential compensation available.

    With impairment ratings of:

    • 67% to the hand
    • 9% to the shoulder

    By considering the worker’s wages and long-term medical needs, the case ultimately resulted in a $310,000 workers’ compensation settlement, along with future medical care remaining open for lifetime prosthetic maintenance.

    To better understand how impairment ratings are assigned, read our guide explaining how workers’ comp impairment ratings are calculated.

    Back and Spine Injury Values Back and spine injuries are among the most complex workers’ compensation cases.

    While the spine is typically valued at 300 weeks, South Carolina law allows the value to increase to 500 weeks in certain cases involving severe disability.

    Even small differences in the impairment rating can significantly affect compensation.

    For example:

    • 49% spinal disability = 147 weeks (49% of 300 weeks)
    • 50% severe spinal disability = 250 weeks (50% of 500 weeks)

    This illustrates how small rating changes can dramatically impact a case.

    Scheduled vs. Non-Scheduled Injuries

    Not every workers’ compensation claim fits neatly into the schedule.

    Some injuries affect the whole body or the ability to work, which may lead to different types of disability benefits. In a recent situation, a client represented by Attorney Ryan LeBlanc underwent a surgery for a back injury on the job. Under the workers’ comp settlement chart, spinal injuries are generally valued at 300 weeks of compensation, depending on the level of impairment.

    The workers’ compensation insurer attempted to deny coverage for the bladder condition, arguing it was unrelated to the workplace injury. Attorney LeBlanc challenged the denial and took the case before the Workers’ Compensation Commission.

    Once the additional medical condition was recognized as part of the workplace injury, the claim involved multiple body systems rather than just the spine listed in the workers’ comp body part values chart.

    This case ultimately resulted in a $900,000 settlement for our client.

    Read more about this case here.

    In these situations, the focus shifts away from body part values and toward how the injury affects the worker’s ability to earn a living.

    Body Part Values Are Only One Factor

    While South Carolina’s schedule of benefits provides a framework for evaluating permanent injuries, it does not automatically determine the full value of a workers’ compensation claim. Two workers with the same injury may receive very different compensation depending on how the injury affects their ability to work and live going forward.

    For example, an injury that prevents one worker from returning to their previous job may have a much greater financial impact than the same injury for someone who can continue working with minimal limitations. Because of this, the schedule of benefits is often just the starting point for evaluating a claim.

    Several other factors can influence the final outcome of a workers’ compensation case, including:

    • Your average weekly wage before the injury (from all income sources)
    • The impairment rating assigned by your doctor
    • Additional injured body parts and their impairment rating
    • Any permanent work restrictions
    • Your need for ongoing or future medical treatment

    These factors work together to determine the potential benefits available under South Carolina workers’ compensation law. If you want a deeper explanation of how wages, impairment ratings, and disability evaluations affect compensation, you can explore our guide explaining what a workers’ compensation case may be worth in South Carolina.

    Third-Party Claims Can Increase Recovery Beyond Workers’ Comp Body Part Values

    In most workplace injury cases, compensation is limited to the South Carolina workers’ compensation system and the body part settlement chart.

    However, when a negligent third-party contributes to a workplace accident, injured workers may also be able to pursue a separate personal injury claim in addition to their workers’ compensation benefits.

    These cases are sometimes called third-party workplace injury claims, and they can dramatically increase the total compensation available.

    In one case handled by Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers, a truck driver was crushed when a 1,000-pound industrial roll fell while being loaded onto his flatbed trailer at an industrial yard.

    The catastrophic accident caused severe injuries, including:

    • A fractured skull and traumatic brain injury
    • Multiple fractures to the spine, ribs, femur, and heel
    • Long-term cognitive impairments and disabilityHeadshot of Ryan LeBlanc

    Attorney Ryan LeBlanc began pursuing workers’ compensation benefits for the injured driver. At the same time, Attorney Melissa Mosier investigated whether the industrial yard could be held responsible for unsafe loading practices.

    Melissa Mosier attorney in Columbia SCThe investigation uncovered that the company had no written loading procedures and had previously experienced similar incidents involving falling rolls. Because the negligence involved a separate company rather than the driver’s employer, the case qualified as a third-party claim outside the workers’ comp body part settlement chart.

    After extensive litigation and discovery, the personal injury case resolved with a $9 million settlement, providing financial security and long-term care for the injured driver and his family.

    You can read more about this case here.

    Identifying and pursuing opportunities for recovery beyond workers’ compensation is not always straightforward. Many injured workers assume their recovery is limited to the workers’ comp body part settlement chart. In reality, there may be additional claims against contractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, or other companies that could be held liable for the incident. Determining whether a third-party claim exists often requires a detailed investigation of the accident, workplace safety procedures, and applicable regulations.

    An experienced attorney can evaluate whether both workers’ compensation benefits and a third-party injury claim may apply to your situation. When these claims are pursued together, it may significantly increase the total compensation available to help cover medical treatment, lost income, and long-term care needs.

    Our Award-Winning South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Can Help

    Understanding South Carolina’s workers’ compensation body part values can help injured workers get a basic sense of how permanent disability benefits may be calculated. However, the schedule of benefits is only one part of a much larger process. Every case is unique, and the true value of a claim often depends on how the injury affects your ability to work, your long-term medical needs, and how well you present evidence supporting your case.

    At Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers, our team has spent decades advocating for injured workers across South Carolina. Our attorneys have earned numerous recognitions for their work in workers’ compensation law, including:

    • Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” for Workers’ Compensation – Claimants
    • Repeated selection to Best Lawyers in America®
    • Recognition by Super Lawyers
    • Membership in Million Dollar Advocates Forum® and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum®
    • A long record of successful workers’ compensation settlements and verdicts for injured workers
    • Multiple attorneys who’ve served as leaders and Board Members in state-wide workers’ compensation organizations like Injured Workers’ Advocates and South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Association

    These honors reflect what matters most to us: leveling the playing field for the underdog. If you have been injured on the job, speaking with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you understand how these factors apply to your specific situation. A knowledgeable lawyer at Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers can review your case, ensure your benefits are calculated correctly, and help you pursue the full compensation you may be entitled to under South Carolina law.

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    Managing Partner Ken Harrell and Attorney John Aylor discuss a car accident case in the North Charleston office on Rivers Avenue