The short answer: In South Carolina, workers’ compensation pays no wage-loss benefits for the first seven calendar days you’re out of work. Zero. Starting on day eight, you’re entitled to disability checks. And if you end up missing more than 14 days total, the insurer has to go back and pay for that first week as well. Medical benefits work differently. Those kick in on day one.
Getting hurt at work is stressful enough without having to wonder when the next paycheck lands. If you’re stuck at home with a workplace injury, you’re probably staring at the calendar with one question: when does workers’ comp actually start covering my lost wages? Here’s how the waiting period works, when back pay kicks in, and how to protect your claim while you wait.
In this article, our Mauldin workers’ compensation lawyer discusses:
– What the workers’ comp waiting period is in South Carolina
– When workers’ comp starts paying lost wages
– How retroactive back pay works
– What to do during the waiting period
– What to do if your payment is delayed
What is the workers’ comp waiting period in South Carolina?
South Carolina imposes a seven-day waiting period before workers’ compensation pays any wage-loss benefits. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 42-9-200, no compensation is allowed for the first seven calendar days of disability resulting from an injury, but if the injury results in disability lasting more than 14 days, compensation is allowed from the date of the disability. On the eighth day, you become eligible to receive disability benefits.
One point brings real relief: the waiting period applies only to wage-loss checks, not to your medical care. Treatment is covered from the first day. And because workers’ comp is a no-fault system, you’re covered whether the accident was your fault or not.
At Smith & Jones Law, your consultation is always free, and you don’t pay attorney fees unless we recover benefits for you. Call 803-784-0730 to talk through your claim.
When does workers’ comp start paying lost wages?
Wage-loss benefits start on the eighth day you’re out of work, assuming your doctor keeps you off the job. These payments, known as temporary total disability, generally equal 66 2/3% of your average weekly wage, up to a state maximum.
Once your claim is accepted, compensation must be paid periodically, promptly, and directly to the person entitled to it. Under a compensation agreement, the first installment is due on the 14th day after your employer has knowledge of the injury. That’s a big reason to report your injury quickly. The clock on your first check starts when your employer finds out.
How does workers’ comp retroactive back pay work?
If your disability lasts more than 14 days, the insurer has to go back and pay for the first seven days that were unpaid. Put another way: if you’re out of work more than two weeks, the employer must back-pay that first week of compensation.
Here’s the practical timeline.
Days 1 through 7: no wage-loss checks, though medical care is covered.
Day 8: wage-loss benefits begin.
More than 14 days out of work: the first seven days are paid back to you.
If you bounce back quickly, you may never see pay for those first seven days. But if your injury keeps you out longer than two weeks, that gap is filled with retroactive back pay.
What should you do during the waiting period?
Use the waiting period to build the strongest possible claim. Three steps matter most.
Report the injury in writing. Notify your employer immediately, or as soon after the accident as practicable. South Carolina generally bars compensation unless notice is given within 90 days of the accident, so don’t sit on it.
Get medical treatment. Care is covered from day one, and prompt treatment links your injury to the workplace accident.
Document everything. Keep copies of accident reports, doctor’s notes, work restrictions, and a record of every day you miss.
Those details protect you if the insurer later questions your claim.
What to do if your employer or insurer delays your payment?
If your check doesn’t show up when it should, you have options, and you don’t have to fight the insurer alone. State law requires benefits to be paid periodically, promptly, and directly to you. Even so, insurers sometimes drag their feet, dispute whether you’re truly disabled, or deny a claim outright.
You generally have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim with the commission, but waiting can weaken your case as records disappear and memories fade. With 55 years of combined experience, our attorneys know how to push back on delays and denials. Call 803-784-0730 for a free consultation.
Frequently asked questions about the workers’ comp waiting period
How long is the workers’ comp waiting period in South Carolina?
Seven calendar days. No wage-loss benefits are paid for the first seven days you’re out of work; payments begin on the eighth day.
Will I ever be paid for those first seven days?
Yes, if your disability lasts more than 14 days. At that point, the employer must back-pay the compensation for the first seven days.
Does the waiting period apply to my medical bills?
No. Medical benefits are available from the first day of your injury. Only your wage-loss checks are subject to the seven-day wait.
How much does it cost to hire a workers’ comp lawyer?
Your consultation is free. We work on a contingency basis, so you don’t pay attorney fees unless we recover benefits for you.
Talk to Smith & Jones Law about your workers’ comp claim
Waiting on a check while you’re injured and out of work is frustrating, and the rules around timing, back pay, and deadlines are easy to get wrong. You don’t have to sort it out alone.
Smith & Jones Law handles workers’ compensation and auto accident claims throughout South Carolina, with offices in Lexington and Mauldin. With 55 years of combined experience, our attorneys can review your claim, explain what you’re owed, and deal with the insurer on your behalf.
Contact us at 803-784-0730 today for a free consultation. You don’t pay attorney fees unless we recover benefits for you.