Senate Backs Workers' Compensation Overhaul

Christina Cole

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Businesses will now face more exploration when insuring workers against injuries. Employees are likely to collect less money for certain ailments under workers' compensation legislation that has won key Senate approval Thursday, falling short to meet many business leaders' hopes.

The legislation states businesses can face felony charges if they understate how much they pay workers or if they classify workers improperly just to save costs on premiums. The bill also forces the S.C. Department of Insurance to closely monitor workers' compensation insurers to make sure they can properly justify their rates.

Also, the legislation would eliminate the Second injury Fund, a program that was created to cover future injuries of workers that suffered past workplace injuries and illnesses.

The interest now turns to making the bill tougher in the House, said Cam Crawford, executive director of the South Carolina Civil Justice Coalition. "We're going to fight for the things we did not get in the Senate," Crawford said.