Adams v. Texfi Industries

ON THE WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO THE COURT OF APPEALS

Toal, Justice:

This workers’ compensation action presents the issue of the degree of dependence required under Title 42, the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Law, for a stepchild to be considered a “child” and thus entitled to the presumption of being wholly dependent for the purposes of receiving the death benefits of a deceased employee.

FACTS

William Jackson Adams was killed in an airplane crash in September 1990. He was survived by his wife Rosita L. Adams (“Widow”), his adopted daughter Ji Hae Kim Adams (“Adopted Child”), and his…