New Mileage Reimbursement Rate; S.C. Supreme Court Denies Claim for Police Officer While Calling for Reform

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This issue covers the latest increase in mileage reimbursement, as well as a controversial denial of workers' compensation for a police officer who killed a suspect, which has the South Carolina Supreme Court calling for reform. If you have any questions, please contact Practice Group Chair Ellen Adams.

SCWCC Notice Announces New Mileage Reimbursement Rate Effective Immediately

Collins & Lacy Pete Dworjanyn

Attorney Pete Dworjanyn Reports:

On July 13, 2012, the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission issued a notice about the new mileage reimbursement rate, which went into affect on July 1, 2012.

You can read more about this change on our SC Workers' Comp Law blog, as well as in this helpful handout on workers' compensation law in South Carolina.

Police Officer Not Entitled to Workers' Compensation After Killing Suspect

South Carolina Supreme Court rules as strict constructionist while advocating for reform

Collins & Lacy Employment Law Christian Boesl

Attorney Christian Boesl Reports:

Though not as controversial as the recent United States Supreme Court rulings on health care and illegal immigration, a South Carolina Supreme Court ruling involving a police shooting has struck a blend of upholding and adhering to current South Carolina Workers' Compensation Law while advocating for reform of the existing law. This unique backdrop was created and published in the July 11, 2012 ruling of Brandon Bentley v. Spartanburg County and S.C. Association of Counties SIF. Opinion No. 27140.

Read more about the Bentley ruling on our SC Workers' Comp Law Blog.

Is Change Coming? Further Examination of the Bentley Decision and Potential Legislative Reform

A strong call from the Bench for legislative reform . . . Now what?

Mikell Wyman Collins & Lacy Workers' Compensation

Attorney Mikell Wyman Reports:

When the South Carolina Supreme Court issued its July 11, 2012 opinion in Bentley v. Spartanburg Co. and S.C. Association of Counties SIF, Opinion No. 27140, it strictly construed S.C. Code Ann. Sub Section 42-1-160(B) to hold that a law enforcement officer's shooting and killing of a person in the line of duty did not constitute an unusual and extraordinary condition when viewed under the particular conditions of a law enforcement officer's employment. The defendants in the case did not dispute the claimant suffered causally-related mental injury in the form of post-traumatic stress disorder, but there is no evidence of physical injury caused by the shooting. As such, in workers' compensation jargon, we refer to this type of claim as a "mental-mental injury."

Read more about the ruling's implications on our SC Workers' Comp Law Blog.

Workers' Comp Attorneys Mikell Wyman & Tom Bacon Settle Into Charleston Office

Collins & Lacy, P.C. Charleston Office

Attorneys Mikell Wyman and Tom Bacon have settled in to our new Charleston location - 200 Meeting Street, Suite 403. The April opening of the Charleston office solidified Collins & Lacy's statewide presence and ability to serve businesses across South Carolina, especially in the workers' compensation arena.

If you have questions about claims in the Lowcountry or would like to stop by the office, give them a call at (843)714-2500.