WORKERS' COMP ACADEMY - Registration closes September 16, 2025
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.
Limited seating. Pre-Registration Required. Onsite registration will not be available.
WC Academy will be
Monday, October 20, 2025
8:30 am – 9:30 am Keynote: Sustainable High Performance - How to Bring Your Best When Stress is High and Morale is Hard
Darryll Stinson, Former D1 Athlete, Professional Speaker *General Session Speaker
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9:40 am – 9:45 am Opening Remarks, Welcome & Introduction
Hal Willson, Esq., Willson Jones Carter & Baxley, PA
9:45 am – 10:45 am Compensable Injuries
Andrea Roche, Roche & William
• What qualifies as a compensable injury by accident
• Repetitive trauma claims
• Mental/Mental claims
• Occupational disease claims
10:45 am – 11:00 am NETWORKING BREAK
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Benefits Provided by the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation System
Zach Smith, Willson Jones Carter & Baxley, PA
Medical benefits
• What treatment must be provided/choice of physician
• Medical Care after MMI/Lifetime Care
• Obtaining medical records and communication with healthcare provider (§ 42-15-95)
Temporary benefits
• Determining AWW/CR
• TTD
• TPD
Permanent Disability benefits
• PPD
• Wage Loss
• Permanent & Total disability
• Lifetime benefits
12:00 pm – 12:45pm LUNCH
12:45 pm – 1:30 pm Defenses to Claims
Amanda Mellard, Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte LLC
• Statute of limitations
• No notice to employer
• Intoxication/willfulness
• Fraud in the application for employment
• Going and coming rule
• Not a compensable injury (denied case)
1:30 pm - 1:45 pm Starting and Stopping Temporary Total Benefits
Hal Willson, Esq., Willson Jones Carter & Baxley, PA
• Starting TTD (Form 15)
• Stopping TTD within 150 days from date of notice of injury
• Stopping TTD after 150 days
1:45pm – 2:30pm Closing Claims
TBA
Informal conference process
• Form 16A and its effects
• Process if no agreement reached
Hearing process
• Award
• Appeal process
• Change of condition rights
Agreement & Final Release/Clincher Agreements
• Represented claimants
• Unrepresented claimants
Medical Only Claims
2:30 pm - 2:45 pm NETWORKING BREAK
2:45pm – 3:15 pm SC Workers’ Compensation Forms
TBA
3:15 pm – 3:45 pm Mediation in the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation System
TBA