South Carolina Temporary Partial Disability Benefits 

When an injury limits your ability to work at full capacity, South Carolina’s Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits help offset the resulting loss in wages. TPD is intended for workers who can return to their jobs in a limited capacity, such as on light duty, with reduced hours, or with modified tasks. It should provide you with the time to follow your treatment plan and regain strength at a medically appropriate pace, rather than rushing back into full-duty work to maintain financial stability.  

However, far too often, applicants are wrongfully denied these benefits. At Lee Injury Law, LLC, our law firm strives to ensure this doesn’t happen to you. We know how quickly an injury can disrupt your financial stability, and we’ve seen far too many people wrongfully denied the benefits they deserve. We are ready to help with no upfront costs to you. 

Who Qualifies for Temporary Partial Disability in South Carolina? 

You may qualify for TPD if all of the following are true: 

• You sustained a work-related injury that is accepted, or is being treated, as a compensable claim. 
• Your authorized treating physician has issued specific work restrictions, such as limits on lifting, standing, bending, or the duration and type of tasks you can perform. 
• You are medically cleared to return to work, but only in a limited capacity that prevents you from earning your pre-injury wages. 
• Your post-injury earnings are lower than your average weekly wage before the injury. 

If your employer cannot accommodate your medical restrictions by offering suitable light-duty or modified work, you may qualify for a different type of wage replacement benefit, such as Temporary Total Disability (TTD), under South Carolina’s workers’ compensation system.  

Because these determinations depend heavily on the specifics of your injury, job duties, and wage history, seeking knowledgeable workers’ compensation legal representation can help clarify which benefits apply to your situation.

How Are Temporary Partial Disability Benefits Calculated?

Under South Carolina law, temporary partial disability benefits are tied directly to an employee’s average weekly wage. To determine that figure, the employer or its insurance carrier must review the worker’s earnings from the four quarters immediately preceding the injury and calculate an accurate average that includes all qualifying compensation.  

This average is then compared to the reduced wages the employee earns while working in a medically restricted, light-duty, or part-time role during recovery. The worker is entitled to receive two-thirds of the difference between the pre-injury average weekly wage and post-injury earnings. 

How to Ensure an Accurate Average Weekly Wage Calculation

Disputes often arise over how the average weekly wage is calculated. Overtime, shift differentials, bonuses, and concurrent employment are frequently overlooked or undervalued. Our firm ensures that the statutory formula is applied correctly, all compensable earnings are captured, and your temporary partial disability benefits accurately reflect the full measure of what the law provides.

What Is The Duration of Temporary Partial Disability Benefits?

In South Carolina, TPD benefits can be paid for up to 340 weeks, depending on your injury and how long your medical restrictions remain in place. 

Your benefits typically continue as long as: 

• You remain under valid medical restrictions, 
• You are earning less because of those restrictions, and 
• You are receiving active medical treatment or making measurable progress. 

Once your doctor lifts restrictions or declares you at maximum medical improvement (MMI), your benefits may change or end. If permanent impairment remains, you may become eligible for other types of benefits under South Carolina law. 

Common Challenges With TPD Claims

Although TPD seems straightforward, many injured workers run into issues such as: 

• Employers not offering appropriate light-duty work. 
• Insurance carriers disputing wage calculations. 
• Pressure to return to full duty prematurely 
• Disputes over whether your lower earnings are truly the result of your injury and medical restriction 
• Sudden termination of benefits without explanation 

Because TPD involves both medical restrictions and wage calculations, errors and disputes are common. Lee Injury Law can help ensure your medical limitations are properly documented, your wages are accurately calculated, and your rights are protected if benefits are delayed, reduced, or wrongfully denied.

Schedule a Free Consultation Today About Your TPD Claim

If you need help navigating the claims process for TPD, reach out to Lee Injury Law as soon as possible. Our workers’ compensation attorneys can walk you through your options, explain what to expect, and provide clear guidance. 

Gain clarity on your options and protect your financial stability as you recover. We handle workers’ comp claims across South Carolina, offering support wherever and whenever you need it. Schedule a free consultation with a South Carolina workers’ compensation lawyer today. You pay no legal fees unless we win.

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