For Immediate Release                                                       Contact: Cam Crawford
January 17, 2007                                                                Phone: 803-771-0008

SCCJC Supports Governor Sanford’s Push for
Workers’ Compensation Reform  

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Members of the South Carolina Civil Justice Coalition, the business organization in South Carolina that is fighting for a restructuring of the workers’ compensation system, expressed strong support for Governor Mark Sanford’s State of the State address calling for workers’ compensation reform.

“The Governor is on the mark since South Carolina is experiencing its third straight double-digit increase in workers’ compensation rates,” said Cam Crawford, SCCJC Executive Director. “We appreciate the Governor’s commitment to improving the business climate in South Carolina.”

Crawford said “Workers’ compensation rates are scaring off business investment and killing jobs in our state. Workers’ compensation premiums have increased over $276 Million in a five year period costing our state 12,800 jobs.”

“We must reform our Workers’ Compensation Commission because our system is too subjective because there is no consistency of awards or objective standards. In addition, the South Carolina Supreme Court has issued several decisions that have increased the cost of workers’ compensation,” noted Crawford.

The Second Injury Fund assessment in South Carolina is 10 times larger than the State of California’s. “There’s no good reason that South Carolina’s Second Injury Fund should be larger than California’s, our system is truly out of balance,” he said.

The South Carolina Civil Justice Coalition has asked the General Assembly to adopt standards for commission awards, repeal several South Carolina Supreme Court decisions and phase out the Second Injury Fund.

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