Help

BI’s Article search uses Boolean search capabilities. If you are not familiar with these principles, here are some quick tips.

To search specifically for more than one word, put the search term in quotation marks. For example, “workers compensation”. This will limit your search to that combination of words.

To search for a combination of terms, use quotations and the & symbol. For example, “hurricane” & “loss”.

Login Register Subscribe

South Carolina lawmakers approve comp reform bill

Reprints

COLUMBIA, S.C.--South Carolina lawmakers Wednesday gave their final approval to a compromise workers compensation reform package, which observers say Gov. Mark Sanford is expected to sign.

The legislation--approved by the Senate Tuesday and the House on Wednesday--would phase out South Carolina's second injury fund, which pays to treat aggravated injuries that occurred at an employee's previous employer. It also would eliminate a legal presumption of total and permanent disability when a worker suffers the loss of at least 50% of the use of their back.

The legislation sets fines for employers and insurers that lie or commit fraud.

A spokesman for the American Insurance Assn. said he expects Gov. Sanford to sign the legislation into law.