During the month of November, the Judicial Department processed 747 requests for hearings, 111 motions, and 143 clincher conference requests. There were 56 Single Commissioner hearings conducted, 24 pre-hearing conferences held, and 6 Full Commission hearings held. The informal conference system conducted 163 hearings. The Judicial Department was notified of 42 matters resolved in mediation. Judicial received 1 Notice of Intent to Appeal to the Court of Appeals.
The Commission has amended the Advisory Notice posted on May 18, 2020 concerning the protocols for in-person hearings and informal conferences to include the following language:
- Individuals who previously tested positive for COVID-19 or have potentially been exposed to COVID-19 may attend a hearing in person only after the following criteria have been met:
- 10 days have passed since the positive result or possible exposure occurred or 7 days have passed since the positive result and a subsequent test with negative result was completed, AND
- They are free of fever (100.4 or greater) for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines, AND
- Their other symptoms have improved.
- Individuals with pending test results should not attend hearings.
For the period February 1 through November 30, 2020, there have been 1,904 COVID-related claims filed with the Commission. 66 were filed during the month of November. 19 fatalities were reported. Of the cases that have been closed, $158,000.00 was paid for medical care and $635,000.00 was paid for non -medical care. The counties reporting the highest number of claims were Greenville, Charleston, and Richland. No claims were denied. Nurses have reported the highest number of cases.
Here’s to a happy and healthy holiday season and to a new and improved 2021!