ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE



Designed to reinforce and enhance your knowledge of the SC Workers' Compensation System, the Annual Workers’ Comp Academy will be held in conjunction with the Annual Educational Conference. This program is geared toward individuals new to the workers’ compensation system as well as seasoned professionals who need a “refresher” in various general topics.
11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Visit Virtual Exhibits
Participating in our online game for a chance to win one of six VISA gift cards.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch Break
10:30 am – 10:45 pm
Welcome and Introductions
Hal Willson, Esq., Willson Jones Carter & Baxley, PA, Greenville, SC
Overview of the SC Workers' Compensation Commission
Gene McCaskill, Commissioner, SC Workers’ Compensation Commission, Columbia, SC
10:45 am - 11:30 am
Compensable Injuries
Dewana Looper, Esq., Atkins Law Firm, Columbia, SC
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What qualifies as a compensable injury by accident
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Repetitive trauma claims
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Mental/Mental claims
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Occupational disease claims
11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Benefits Provided by the Workers’ Comp System
Jason Lockhart, Esq., McAngus Goudelock & Courie LLC, Columbia, SC
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Medical benefits
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What treatment must be provided/choice of physician
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Medical Care after MMI/Lifetime Care
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Obtaining medical records and communication with healthcare provider (§ 42-15-95)
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Temporary benefits
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Determining AWW/CR
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TTD
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TPD
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Permanent Disability benefits
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PPD
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Wage Loss
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Permanent & Total
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1:45 pm – 2:30 pm
Defenses to Claims
Ian Gohean, Esq., Willson Jones Carter & Baxley, PA, Greenville, SC
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Statute of limitations
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No notice to employer
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Intoxication/willfulness
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Fraud in the application for employment
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Going and coming rule
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Not a compensable injury (denied case)
2:30 pm – 2:45 pm
Starting and stopping temporary total/partial benefits
Ian Gohean, Esq., Willson Jones Carter & Baxley, PA, Greenville, SC
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Starting TTD (Form 15)
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Stopping TTD within 150 days from date of notice of injury
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Stopping TTD after 150 days
2:45 pm - 3:15 pm
Networking Break
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm
Closing claims
Barrett Burley, Esq., Holder Padgett Littlejohn + Prickett, LLC, Columbia, SC
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Informal conference process
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Form 16A and its effects
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Process if no agreement reached
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Hearing process
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Award
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Appeal process
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Change of condition rights
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Agreement & Final Release/Clincher Agreements
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Represented claimants
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Unrepresented claimants
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Medical Only Claims
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4:00 pm – 4:30 pm
How the Experience Modification Rate is Determined for a Business?
Kirk Adair, Premium Auditor, APA, SC State Accident Fund, Columbia, SC
4:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Wrap Up
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Unanswered questions
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KERMIT
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Evaluations