Michael E. Chase

Mike Chase is a shareholder and 30-year member of the nationally recognized Workplace Law Group at Turner Padget, providing practical counsel to businesses across the state.

Mike helps lead Turner Padget’s Workers’ Compensation Defense Practice. His primary role is defending workers’ compensation claims, representing employers, carriers and self-insured clients throughout South Carolina. Mike works closely with the firm’s employment law specialists where workers compensation and employment law issues overlap.

Devoting his practice to workers’ compensation defense and mediation, Mike is approved panel counsel for most workers’ compensation carriers and third-party administrators conducting business in South Carolina. His current client focus is with large accounts, while simultaneously managing a volume of work for carriers, TPA’s and self-insured employers. His clients include airlines, hospital systems, national big box stores, power companies, restaurant chains, package delivery services, produce processors, manufacturers, regional HVAC contractor/service providers, telecommunications providers, grocery store chains, trucking and transportation companies, distribution facilities, retail outlets, construction firms and food/meat producers and suppliers.

Mike enjoys learning an employer’s business. He effectively defends his clients by utilizing a true team effort with the employer and adjuster. He seeks to understand the employer’s risk management and workers’ compensation claims management goals before claims arise. He often assists his clients in developing and updating their workers’ compensation claims procedures, including investigation and documentation. Mike believes that employers benefit best from a well-planned claims management process that begins on day one of an accident.

As a certified mediator, Mike appreciates the challenge of assisting his clients in avoiding the time, frustration and financial costs of litigation. He takes great pride in providing effective and efficient solutions for even the most complicated workers’ compensation claims.

Obtained favorable ruling (denial on basis of internal breakdown) for manufacturer where employee claimed that rising from a stooped position while working on a saw blade resulting in a compensable and disabling knee injury under South Carolina Workers' Compensation Act.
Successfully represented a hospital (Commissioner denied compensability) where employee claimed she was totally disabled as result of being exposed to perfumes and fragrances as result of having to work at a reception desk requiring her to be exposed to patient visitors throughout the day, thus aggravating a severe pre-existing allergy/pulmonary condition.
Resolved high value claim at mediation on compromised basis where claimant who was just starting out in nursing career was run over by a hit and run driver while on a smoke break, claimed physical brain damage, and had lifetime medical and home health needs for multiple injuries which prevented her from returning to work.
Reached favorable settlement at mediation for HVAC contractor where 48-year old employee suffered back injury with poor outcome, had spinal cord stimulator placed with little effective relief, and claimed no viable transferable skills and total disability.
Obtained mediated settlement terms well below exposure estimate in case where claimant contended fall from ladder while working for telecommunications company rendered him totally disabled. We worked closely with employer, private investigator, and vocational expert to develop evidence which countered the purported total disability.

University of South Carolina, J.D., 1990
University of South Carolina, B.A., 1987

South Carolina Bar, 1990

Professional or Industry Involvement

South Carolina Employers' Advocacy Association, formerly South Carolina Self Insurers Association (Legal Advisor to the Board, 2018-Present)
South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Association (2018 Educational Conference Planning Committee)
South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association
American Bar Association

Community or Pro Bono Involvement

First Baptist Church, Columbia, SC (Former chairman of Deacons and current Personnel Committee Chair)

Best Lawyers in America, Workers’ Compensation, 2008-2024
Columbia Metropolitan Best Attorneys in the Midlands, 2013
Supreme Court of South Carolina, Certified Civil Court Mediator
Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™-AV Preeminent®

Presentations & Speaking Engagements

South Carolina Occupational Health/Workers Compensation Seminar, moderator for “Ask the expert: A Panel Discussion” (2017)
South Carolina Employers’ Advocacy Association, Moderator for Case Law Update Panel Discussion (2017)

Presentations & Speaking Engagements

News

Services