About
South Carolina Employers’ Advocacy Association, Inc. strives to be the voice in workers’ compensation matters in South Carolina by advocating for employers before the Workers’ Compensation Commission, the General Assembly, and other venues as appropriate. We seek to educate and inform members about legislative and regulatory issues and to work and cooperate with other organizations which have similar interests.
Since it was formed in 1975 as the South Carolina Self-Insurers Association, the association has focused on the interests of employers self-insuring their workers’ compensation obligations in South Carolina. In 2016, the association broadened its scope and now focuses on the workers’ compensation-related issues of all South Carolina employers. The Employers’ Advocacy Association is one of the most useful resources for continuing education about workers’ compensation and the issues and trends in and affecting workers’ compensation, in South Carolina.
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Many of South Carolina’s largest employers belong to the association, along with claims professionals, legal firms, and other organizations serving the needs of the workers’ compensation marketplace. Membership is open to any South Carolina employer which is subject to the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act, any organization whose services prevent workers’ compensation claims or mitigate the cost of claims which do occur, and insurance companies providing commercial workers’ compensation insurance in South Carolina, but are not an employer subject to the Act.
So, while things have been relatively quiet on the workers' compensation front, big challenges are always looming. Do not be caught off guard. No organization in the state has a better understanding of workers’ compensation than our association and its members. This is because the best lawyers and claims and rehab professionals are members of our group. We regularly call on these resources when proposing or opposing changes to the system. Become a member today and let SCEAA monitor and advocate on your behalf.
What has SCEAA done for SC employers?
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In 2021, the SCEAA supported passage of COVID liability protections (S.147), which passed in April. This prevents lawsuits against businesses by people who contract COVID as long as health guidelines were followed.
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The SCEAA lobbied against proposed legislation in 2019 including HR 3352 that would adversely affect all SC employers and workers’ comp insurance carriers
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The SCEAA has filed and participated in amicus briefs, including: James v. Anne’s. Inc., Adickes v. Philips Healthcare, and Clemmons v. Lowe’s
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Influenced lawmakers to stop the Opt Out bill in 2015.
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Advocated on behalf of employers on the mental stress House bill in 2013
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The SCEAA’s President represented the Association on the Governor’s Commission on Workers’ Compensation reform in 2010.
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In 2007, the SCEAA successfully lobbied for the orderly dissolution of the Second Injury Fund, stricter definition of repetitive trauma, and other aspects of Senate Bill 332.
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We monitored the dissolution of the Second Injury Fund, ongoing assessments, and payouts following the legislation.
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Worked to successfully block the proposed self-insurers guarantee fund.