How is workers' compensation typically structured?

Workers' compensation is typically structured at the state level, which reflects the approach taken by most U.S. states in terms of design, administration, and implementation. Each state has its own workers' compensation program that includes specific regulations, benefits, and eligibility criteria to ensure that employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job receive appropriate medical treatment and financial support.

In South Carolina, for instance, the workers' compensation system is overseen by the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission and is integrated into the state's legal framework. This means that policies, procedures, and benefits can vary significantly from one state to another, allowing for tailored responses to local economic conditions and workplace safety issues.

The federal government does have certain regulations that apply to specific industries or situations (like federal employees or certain transportation workers), but the primary responsibility for workers' compensation falls under state jurisdiction. Local and company-specific workers' compensation plans do not exist in the same comprehensive way that state plans do; rather, they would operate within the framework established by each state's laws.