Conway, the county seat of Horry County, sits along the Waccamaw River and serves as the commercial and governmental hub for one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing regions. Workers here keep hospitals running, build new neighborhoods, manage construction along Highway 501, and staff the warehouses and manufacturing facilities that power the Lowcountry economy. When a job injury happens, the financial pressure hits fast. Medical bills pile up, paychecks stop, and employers and their insurance carriers start protecting themselves. If you were hurt on the job in Conway or anywhere in Horry County, a workers compensation lawyer at Steinberg Law Firm can help you understand your rights and fight for every benefit the law allows.

Table of Contents

• How South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law Covers Conway Workers
• What Benefits Are Available to Injured Workers in Conway, SC
• Common Workplace Injuries Seen in Conway and Horry County
• Filing Deadlines and Steps to Protect Your Conway Workers’ Comp Claim
• Steinberg Law Firm’s Workers’ Compensation Case Results in South Carolina
• Why Conway Workers Choose Steinberg Law Firm
• FAQs About Conway Workers’ Compensation

How South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law Covers Conway Workers

South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system is built on a no-fault foundation. Under Title 42 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, most employees who suffer a work-related injury or occupational illness are entitled to benefits, regardless of who caused the injury. You do not need to prove your employer was negligent. The injury simply needs to have occurred in the course and scope of your employment.

Under S.C. Code § 42-1-415, employers with four or more employees are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. That covers a wide range of Conway workplaces, from construction crews near the Horry County Government Complex to healthcare workers at Conway Medical Center, and from retail employees along Church Street to staff at Coastal Carolina University. If your employer meets that threshold and you are a covered employee, the law is on your side.

Some workers fall outside standard coverage. Independent contractors who receive a 1099 tax statement rather than a W-2 are generally not covered. Certain agricultural workers and some domestic employees may also be excluded. If your employer does not carry required insurance, South Carolina maintains an Uninsured Employers’ Fund that may provide a path to recovery. A workers compensation attorney can evaluate your exact employment status and identify every available option.

Workers in Conway’s port-adjacent and maritime industries may also have rights under the federal Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), administered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs. This federal law covers land-based maritime workers and extends to employees under the Defense Base Act and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. If your work touches navigable waters or maritime operations, your claim may involve both state and federal law.

What Benefits Are Available to Injured Workers in Conway, SC

South Carolina workers’ compensation provides several categories of benefits. Understanding each one helps you recognize when your employer or their insurer is shortchanging you.

Medical benefits cover all reasonably necessary treatment related to your injury. That includes emergency care, surgery, hospital stays, follow-up visits, physical therapy, and prescription medications. Your employer’s insurance carrier generally directs your medical care and selects your treating physician. You are expected to see that doctor and follow the prescribed treatment plan.

Wage replacement benefits, called Temporary Total Disability (TTD), kick in when your doctor takes you completely off work. Under S.C. Code § 42-9-10, TTD pays two-thirds (66⅔%) of your average weekly wage. For accidents occurring on or after January 1, 2026, the maximum weekly compensation rate is $1,189.94, as certified by the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission. If two-thirds of your wages would exceed that cap, your benefit is limited to the maximum rate.

If you can return to work in a limited capacity but earn less than before, Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits under S.C. Code § 42-9-20 cover two-thirds of the difference between your pre-injury and post-injury wages. For permanent injuries, the Commission uses a scheduled list under S.C. Code § 42-9-30 that assigns a specific number of compensation weeks to each body part. For catastrophic injuries such as paraplegia or traumatic brain damage, under § 42-9-10, certain severe injuries can qualify as total and permanent disability, and for conditions such as paraplegia, quadriplegia, or physical brain damage, the usual 500-week limit does not apply and lifetime benefits may be available.

Death benefits are also available under S.C. Code § 42-9-290. Surviving spouses, dependent children, and other financial dependents may receive weekly payments calculated at two-thirds of the deceased worker’s average weekly wage, along with burial expenses up to $12,000.

Common Workplace Injuries Seen in Conway and Horry County

Conway’s economy spans construction, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and retail. Each sector carries its own injury risks, and each type of injury can support a workers’ compensation claim.

Construction workers building new subdivisions off Highway 544 or commercial projects near the Carolina Forest area face falls from ladders and scaffolding, equipment malfunctions, and struck-by incidents. Falls from heights are among the most serious workplace injuries anywhere in South Carolina, often resulting in spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or broken bones that require months of recovery.

Healthcare workers at Conway Medical Center and surrounding clinics face repetitive motion injuries, needle-stick exposures, and strains from lifting or repositioning patients. These injuries may develop gradually rather than from a single incident, which can complicate the claims process.

Manufacturing and warehouse workers face machinery accidents, conveyor belt injuries, and slip and fall incidents caused by spills on concrete floors. Repetitive trauma injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or chronic back strain, are also common in these settings. Under S.C. Code § 42-1-172, a repetitive trauma injury claim must be filed within two years of when the employee knew or should have known the injury was work-related, and no more than seven years from the last date of injurious exposure.

Workers who drive as part of their job duties, including delivery drivers, sales representatives, and Horry County government employees traveling between offices, can be injured in vehicle crashes while on the clock. Those crashes may generate both a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. If you were hurt in a work-related crash, speaking with a workers compensation lawyer before talking to any insurance company is critical.

Filing Deadlines and Steps to Protect Your Conway Workers’ Comp Claim

South Carolina law sets firm deadlines for workers’ compensation claims. Missing them can permanently bar your right to benefits. Under S.C. Code § 42-15-40, the right to compensation is barred unless a claim is filed with the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission within two years after the accident. If the injury resulted in death, the two-year period runs from the date of death. For occupational diseases, the two-year clock does not start until the employee receives a definitive diagnosis and is notified of it.

Before that two-year deadline, you have 90 days to report your injury to your employer. Report it in writing whenever possible. Your employer is then required to file a claim with their insurance carrier within 10 days. If they fail to do so, you can file your own claim directly with the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission using Form 50, available on the Commission’s website at wcc.sc.gov.

Do not delay reporting your injury or seeking medical care. Insurance carriers often use delays to argue that the injury was not serious or was not work-related. Every day you wait gives the insurer more ammunition to dispute your claim.

If your claim is disputed and you need a hearing, you can request one by filing Form 50 with the Commission. The Commission schedules hearings within 60 days of the request, and there is a $50 filing fee. Hearings are conducted before a Commission commissioner, not a jury. Having a workers compensation lawyer represent you at that hearing can make a significant difference in how your claim is evaluated and decided.

Third-party claims are another important consideration. Under South Carolina law, if a party other than your employer caused or contributed to your injury, you may be able to pursue a separate civil claim against that third party. Your employer’s insurer retains a lien on any third-party recovery to the extent of workers’ compensation benefits already paid, but a well-structured case can maximize your total recovery from all available sources. If you have questions about your options, a personal injury lawyer at Steinberg Law Firm can walk you through the full picture.

Steinberg Law Firm’s Workers’ Compensation Case Results in South Carolina

Steinberg Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured workers across South Carolina, fighting for fair outcomes in workers’ compensation cases ranging from construction falls to occupational brain injuries. Our record reflects our commitment to taking on difficult claims and seeing them through. The following are representative workers’ compensation results from our work on behalf of South Carolina workers.

• $3,200,000 in a workers’ compensation case involving a lifting scale
• $3,000,000 workers’ comp settlement for a client who fell off a 3-story roof
• $1,680,000 in a workers’ compensation case involving a brain injury
• $1,200,000 in a sales rep slip and fall brain injury
• $1,000,000 in a claim for overtime and unpaid wages
• $835,000 settlement for a rear-end car accident during work
• $600,000 settlement for construction worker brain injury
• $600,000 settlement for construction worker slip & fall injury
• $600,000 settlement for construction worker fall from a ladder resulting in incomplete paraplegia
• $550,000 settlement on a workers’ compensation brain injury case
• $515,213 in a workers’ compensation case involving a head injury
• $515,000 in a slip and fall due to a workplace air conditioner leaking
• $375,000 settlement for a longshore and harbor worker who suffered a permanent shoulder injury requiring two surgeries
• $355,000 settlement for a work-related vehicle collision case
• $325,000 for a Charleston port truck driver who suffered a traumatic brain injury

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case. Every workers’ compensation claim turns on its own facts, the nature of the injury, the employer’s insurance coverage, and other circumstances. What these results show is that Steinberg Law Firm takes these cases seriously and pursues every available dollar for our clients.

Why Conway Workers Choose Steinberg Law Firm

For nearly 100 years, the firm has been representing injured people across South Carolina. That history means we understand how the state’s workers’ compensation system works, how insurance carriers operate, and what it takes to push a claim past an initial denial or a lowball settlement offer.

Conway workers and their families face real pressure after a job injury. The mortgage, rent, and car payments do not pause while you recover. Employers and their insurers move quickly to protect their own interests, and injured workers who handle claims alone often settle for far less than their cases are worth. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you. There is no financial risk to calling us.

We serve clients throughout the Grand Strand region, including workers in Conway, Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, and the surrounding communities. Whether your injury happened on a job site near the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, at a facility along US-501, or inside a Conway office building, we are ready to help you understand your rights. Call Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800 for a free consultation. You can also reach us online anytime. Do not wait until the deadline is close to act.

FAQs About Conway Workers’ Compensation

How long do I have to file a workers’ compensation claim in Conway, SC?

Under S.C. Code § 42-15-40, you have two years from the date of your workplace accident to file a claim with the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission. For occupational diseases, that two-year window does not start until you receive a confirmed diagnosis. You also have 90 days from the injury date to report it to your employer. Waiting on either deadline can seriously damage your claim, so it is best to act as soon as possible after your injury.

Can my employer fire me for filing a workers’ compensation claim in South Carolina?

No. South Carolina law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for filing a valid workers’ compensation claim. Your employer cannot legally fire you, demote you, cut your hours, or otherwise punish you for asserting your rights under Title 42 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. If you believe your employer has retaliated against you, contact Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800 right away so we can evaluate your situation and advise you on next steps.

What if my Conway employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance?

South Carolina requires employers with four or more employees to carry workers’ compensation coverage. If your employer fails to carry required insurance, you may still have options. South Carolina maintains an Uninsured Employers’ Fund that can provide benefits in certain situations. You may also have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit directly against your uninsured employer. An attorney can help you identify which path makes the most sense for your specific circumstances.

Can I sue a third party in addition to filing a workers’ compensation claim?

Yes, in some situations. South Carolina law allows injured workers to pursue a third-party civil claim against any non-employer party whose negligence contributed to the workplace injury. A common example is a work-related vehicle crash caused by an at-fault driver who is not your coworker or employer. In those cases, you can file a workers’ compensation claim and a separate personal injury claim. Your employer’s insurer will hold a lien on any third-party recovery to recover benefits already paid, but pursuing both claims together often results in a larger total recovery.

What happens if my workers’ compensation claim in Conway is denied?

A denial is not the end of your claim. You have the right to request a hearing before the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission by filing Form 50 and paying the $50 filing fee. The Commission will schedule your hearing within 60 days of the request. A commissioner, not a jury, will hear the evidence and issue a decision. If the commissioner’s decision goes against you, further appeals are available through the Full Commission and the South Carolina Court of Appeals. Having an attorney represent you at every stage significantly improves your chances of a successful outcome.

More Resources for Workers’ Compensation SC Regional Pages

• Rock Hill Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Sumter Workers Compensation Attorney
• Greer Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Florence Workers Compensation Attorney
• Spartanburg Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Bluffton Workers Compensation Attorney
• Aiken Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Fort Mill Workers Compensation Attorney
• Anderson Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Mauldin Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Simpsonville Workers Compensation Attorney
• Lexington Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Socastee Workers Compensation Attorney
• Greenwood Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• St. Andrews Workers Compensation Attorney
• Five Forks Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Clemson Workers Compensation Attorney
• Ladson Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Port Royal Workers Compensation Attorney
• Cayce Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Orangeburg Workers Compensation Attorney
• Boiling Springs Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Gaffney Workers Compensation Attorney
• Irmo Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Little River Workers Compensation Attorney
• Garden City Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Hardeeville Workers Compensation Attorney
• Murrells Inlet Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Georgetown Workers Compensation Attorney
• Travelers Rest Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Camden Workers Compensation Attorney
• Darlington Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Walterboro Workers Compensation Attorney
• Barnwell Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Edgefield Workers Compensation Attorney
• Ridgeland Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Kingstree Workers Compensation Attorney
• Bamberg Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Allendale Workers Compensation Attorney
• Hampton Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Elgin CDP Workers Compensation Attorney
• Kiawah Island Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Elgin town Workers Compensation Attorney
• Awendaw Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• Ridgeville Workers Compensation Attorney
• Folly Beach Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
• McClellanville Workers Compensation Attorney
• Pawleys Island Workers’ Compensation Lawyer