 Contact Ilene at iking@turnipseed.net
I have been an attorney with Turnipseed & Associates since 1991 and head the firm's workers' compensation department. A long time member of Injured Workers Advocates, formerly known as the Association of South Carolina Claimant Attorneys for Workers' Compensation, I served for many years on the Executive Committee and later as President of the Association from 2001-2002.
I am very proud of the work I do to protect the rights of injured workers. I know that a work injury can be devastating for the injured worker and family. I believe working people deserve to be treated fairly if they are hurt on the job. That is why I consider it a privilege to be able to help regular, everyday people obtain fair compensation, especially against big corporations and big insurance companies.
In 1982 I graduated from New York Law School, and was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1983. I am also a member of the New York and New Jersey Bars. I earned my Bachelor's degree from Ramapo College of New Jersey and a Master's degree in Political Science from Rutgers University.
My trial and appellate work in the case of Sigmon v. Dayco Corporation, 316 S.C. 260, 449 S.E.2d 497 (Ct. App 1994), resulted in an important clarification of South Carolina workers' compensation law. Recently, I was honored to be associated as co-counsel on appeal with the Southern Poverty Law Center in the landmark case of Pierre v. Seaside Farms, Inc. Opinion No. 26777, 689 S.E. 2d 615 (S.C. 2010), in which the South Carolina Supreme Court, recognizing the realities of migrant employment, held that an injury by a migrant worker was compensable where he was required to live in employer provided housing and was making reasonable use of the premises at the time he was injured. The Court’s reaffirmation of the principle that South Carolina’s workers’ compensation laws are to be broadly construed in favor of the injured worker was a victory not just for migrant workers but for all injured workers.
I have spoken at conferences, on the radio and written for The State newspaper about workers’ compensation.
I have two sons in college, one of whom is currently deployed to Afghanistan, and a large dog. I am very involved in the Tree of Life Congregation in Columbia, where I currently serve on the Board of Directors and various committees and previously chaired the Religious School Committee for several years.
Contact Ilene at iking@turnipseed.net |
