As opposed to North Carolina’s tort and negligence systems, which allow for compensation to individuals, workers’ comp laws provide medical treatment and wage replacement for injured employees who cannot do their jobs after an injury. This means that employees who are injured in work-related accidents or contract occupational diseases may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under North Carolina workers’ compensation laws.

If this is the first time you have been injured at work, you have no idea what to expect from the workers’ comp process. Workers’ compensation lawyers in Greenville might be able to help you in this regard.

Listed on this page is information about how a qualified law firm handles workers’ compensation cases and what the time frame for the whole process is. The information mentioned below will successfully give you a general idea regarding the legal framework and how things go down in court. 

Private companies in North Carolina reported 64,900 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2020, resulting in an incidence rate of 2.1 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

NC Worker Compensation Laws – The Basics:

It’s important to understand the fundamentals of North Carolina workers’ compensation laws.

NC Workers’ Comp Laws History and Regulations:

A worker’s compensation law was enacted in North Carolina in 1929. Under state law, any company with at least three employees is required to carry accident insurance. Workers’ comp laws are controlled by the Industrial Commission.

NC Workers’ Compensation Act:

The North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act is designed to ensure that employees are paid compensation for injuries that prevent them from returning to work. The employer should acquire an adequate insurance policy for its workers or get licensed as a “self-insured” employer. 

Notification Requirements:

In the event of an accident at work, a written notice must be submitted to the employer and this notice of injury must be presented within 30 days of the accident. A written notice shall be submitted within two years from the date of injury. Your workers’ compensation lawyers in Greenville will talk to you about this requirement if you have not already done so.

Sole Remedy & No-Fault:

An injured employee usually needs no other options except filing for workers’ compensation in North Carolina. This means that an aggrieved victim is entitled to a fair reimbursement in the state of North Carolina at all times. However, this statement might still entail certain limited exceptions.

In North Carolina workers’ compensation claims, employer negligence has no bearing on the claim. It is not even an issue in the claim to prove the employer was negligent in causing the accident. While it may seem odd, it benefits the employee since in most cases proving the absence of employee negligence and employer negligence is much more difficult than simply demonstrating that the employee is injured while executing employment duties.

In addition, many workplace injuries are not caused by negligence on the part of anyone. Before the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act came into existence, these employees were not able to recover compensation if they were injured on the job.

Benefits – Medical Expenses and Disability:

North Carolina workers’ compensation law provides two primary benefits to injured employees. Generally, your insurance will cover all medical costs associated with the injury; this also includes prescription medications. You must see a doctor approved by the insurance company or the employer. However, you can petition the Industrial Commission to change doctors.

Secondly, the insurance provider will take care of an employee’s disability benefits. Disability benefits amount to two-thirds (66.66%) of a worker’s average gross weekly salary. These benefits are not taxable.

If an employee is unable to work for more than seven days following an injury, the insurance company will begin paying temporary total disability benefits for the following days, as long as the employee is not allowed back to work without the doctor’s written permission. The first seven days are not covered by pay unless the employee is absent for more than 21 days following the seven days.

A worker may be entitled to additional compensation (permanent partial disability benefits) if they suffer a permanent injury to a certain part of their body. The employee is also entitled to benefits if they are determined to be permanently disabled, which include future medical bills and disability payments.

Hence, your lawyer will discuss with you in more detail the possible benefits available if one of the two last categories of disability applies to your case. Worker’s Compensation does not acknowledge complaints of pain and suffering in North Carolina.

Learn More About the Process; Contact Our Greenville Personal Injury Attorneys:

Our website offers general information on workers’ compensation and our Greenville personal injury attorneys handle each case individually. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options for recovering your workers’ compensation benefits.

Workers’ compensation is a system in the United States that provides benefits to workers who are injured or contract an illness at work. A Greenville, NC work injury lawyer fights tooth and nail to ensure that their clients are paid workers’ comp fairly. Normally, administering workers’ comp is usually the responsibility of state governments.

Workers’ compensation was created in the early 20th century in response to the growing number of workplace accidents and injuries. At that time, most workers were not protected by laws that required their employers to provide benefits if they were injured or became ill as a result of their job. Workers’ comp provided a way for workers to receive some financial assistance if they were injured or became ill while working. 

NCCI data confirms the most costly lost-time workers’ compensation claims by cause of injury result from vehicle accidents.

Workers’ Compensation in Greenville, NC

The workers’ comp system can be complex, and there are many factors that can affect a worker’s eligibility for benefits. Generally, workers who are injured or become ill as a result of their job are entitled to receive medical care, income replacement, and death benefits.

Medical care may be provided through a workers’ compensation insurance policy that the worker’s employer purchases or it may be provided through the government or a private insurer.

Income replacement benefits are paid to workers who are unable to work while they are recovering from their injury or illness. Death benefits are paid to the family of a worker who dies as a result of an injury or illness.

The Cost of Workers’ Compensation Insurance; How Is It Determined?

Workers’ comp insurance premiums are based on an employer’s experience rating. This is a calculation of the employer’s losses relative to their payroll. The losses can be from injuries, illnesses, or fatalities that have occurred in the past three years.

The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) is a not-for-profit insurance rating organization that determines workers’ comp rates for most states.

NCCI uses a classification system to group businesses by the type of work they do. This system is based on the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) published by the U.S. Department of Labor.

NCCI then rates each class of business based on its claims experience. This rating is called the Experience Modification Factor (EMF). The EMF is multiplied by the employer’s premium to determine the workers’ comp insurance premium.

Some states have their own rating organizations, which may use different classification systems and rates. For example, California has the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB).

How Does Workers’ Comp Insurance Protect Employees?

Workers’ comp insurance will provide you benefits if you are injured or have become ill due to your job. You will be entitled to a number of benefits that include medical expenses, income replacement, and death benefits.

Workers’ comp insurance is typically required by law. This means that employers must have workers’ comp insurance coverage to protect their employees. Workers’ comp insurance is also known as workers’ comp, workers’ compensation insurance, or workers’ comp coverage.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Workers’ Compensation Benefits? 

In order to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, an employee must typically be injured or become ill as a result of their job. However, there are some exceptions, such as injuries that occur while commuting to work.

In order to file a claim, an employee must report the injury or illness to their employer as soon as possible.

How Do Workers’ Compensation Claims Work?

When an employee sustains injuries on the job, it is important for them to visit their doctor as soon as possible so that medical reports can be provided in order to file claims.

The process should start by filling out state-mandated paperwork or forms and submitting those papers with the help of a Greenville, NC work injury lawyer.

Once approved, the injured party can receive their workers’ compensation payment. They can later return to work once they fully recover.

Who Is Mandated to Carry Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

In all states, with a few exceptions, businesses are required to purchase workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. Failing to provide workers’ compensation coverage can have severe consequences, including paying out claims on your own, fines, and possible imprisonment. Violation may also lose the right to business in some states if it goes unchecked!

How Does the Process of a Workers’ Compensation Claim Work?

This is a general overview of the workers’ compensation process if you are injured at work, but there are many steps involved in filing and processing an employee injury or illness claim.

• Immediate medical attention is given to you – it is ensured by the human resource department in the company.
• You will prepare and file a formal claim.
• You will get an overview from the human resource department on how the claim process works, where you will receive the medical care, and how your wages will be provided to you while you will be absent from work due to an injury.
• You will then file the workers’ compensation with your employer’s insurance company; Remember, you have to file the claim within two days of your work-related injury.
• The employer is expected to stay in touch with the proceedings on the workers’ compensation until the insurance provider settles the claim.
• The insurance company then conveys to you whether your claim is approved or denied. In case they deny your case, you have the option to reach out to a Greenville, NC work injury lawyer.
• If you receive your claim, you can return to work after you recover from the injury.

Reach Out to a Greenville, NC Work Injury Lawyer Today!

If your claim has been denied after a work-related injury, you can always reach out to our experienced Greenville, NC work injury lawyer to get what you really deserve. Even though insurance companies will try their best not to compensate you, we have a reputation for winning workers’ compensation for our clients. 

Work accidents and workplace injuries are possible in many ways, but some cases are more frequent than others. Even so, employer negligence does play a part in the accident; virtually most of such events are avoidable with just a little care.

If you ever find yourself in such a troubling situation, you should proceed carefully and avoid jeopardizing your position in the case. NC worker’s compensation lawyers can help you get compensated fairly for your losses.

But before we go that far, here are the most common workplace accidents and injuries:

#1) Slip & Fall Accidents

These accidents are pretty common and usually result due to slippery or uneven surfaces. Poor lighting or lack of safety railings can also become a factor in many such cases. Though falling from a height is especially dangerous, this is not to say that a regular fall is by any means not worrisome.

#2) Strained Muscles

Lifting heavy objects constantly can strain the muscles due to over-exertion. Muscle strains are most common in neck and back regions. In most cases, the injuries can be avoided through better training and not over-burdening the workers.

Some lifting techniques put lesser stress on the muscles than others.

#3) Collision With Falling Objects

This is mostly the case with construction workers, but an object falling from a height is a scenario that can play itself in several different settings, i.e. items falling from the top shelf of a warehouse. The momentum packed by a heavy object falling from a height can be enough to make the impact fatal or at least severe.

Safe storage and safety training can go a long way in educating the workers in this regard.

#4) Repetitive Strain Injury

This is another form of injury that results from repeated motion, such as for a typist busy stroking key after key. Sometimes, the effects may amplify if multiple joints are affected due to RSI. Taking breaks between work sessions can help lower the risk here.

#5) Crashes

Car and accident are two words that couple almost as naturally as, sorry to say, war and destruction – people driving cars are more likely to be involved in an accident than pedestrians. Most jobs require workers to drive, for instance, in the delivery business.

Timely maintenance and safety inspections can lower the risk of such accidents.

#6) Cuts & Lacerations

Blades, saws, trimmers, and all sorts of other sharp objects are a threat for anyone working in a hectic environment. Lack of safety procedures and training is one of the main causes of such injuries. The unavailability of safety gear/equipment is another issue that the employer can ensure.

#7) Illness Due To Toxicity

Workers operating in an environment laden with chemicals or volatile compounds (such as high-VOC paints) can inhale dangerous fumes. While all such fumes may not be seriously life-threatening, they can cause allergic reactions and illnesses if adequate protection is unavailable.

#8) Industrial Deafness

Working in an industrial setting with constant noise or humming of machines can make workers partially deaf, to varying extents, depending on the severity of the noise. Without ear protection, there isn’t much that can be done to prevent the damage.

#9) Walking Into Objects

This may not seem like a serious threat to most people, but the severity of such accidents is only known to those who’ve experienced it. Absent-mindedly walking into walls, doors, cabinets, and tables is very much possible.

This can be avoided by doing away with distractions in the workplace.

#10) Fights

Fights can happen without much prior warning in poorly disciplined and unregulated work environments.

The losses can be severe.

Bottom Line

Workplace accidents can happen even if you are careful; your employer’s negligence can result in much harm to you and other coworkers. For instance, a simple oil spill can lead to serious slip and fall injuries in a warehouse or grocery store. Workplace compensation is meant to reimburse workers for such losses that they may face in the workplace.

But workers either don’t follow through with the protocol or simply don’t understand the protocol. The best course of action would be to contact our NC worker’s compensation lawyers as soon as possible so that they can guide you through the whole thing. Don’t settle for a sum just like that, only after you’ve assessed the extent of your damages will you be able to judge whether your compensation is fair.

Let us fight your battle for you; just reach out to us and leave the rest to our team!

Workers’ Comp benefits aren’t always guaranteed. Getting hurt on your job can be quite frustrating. You have to deal with not just pain but also emotional distress, and medical bills. Workers compensation is a way to alleviate these problems, but filing for and gaining workers’ compensation benefits can also be a rather annoying process,

Workers’ compensation insurance can be used to cover employees who suffer injuries or illnesses while being on duty. Workers being inexperienced can make errors while filing a workers’ compensation claim for any work-related injury. 

Workers’ compensation is highly affected by eligibility. However, some specific mistakes can affect the eligibility of an employee for receiving the compensation benefits.

That’s why, you must prevent unnecessary mistakes and seek professional assistance from the most experienced attorney in Wilmington, NC. Competent lawyers can help in all ways possible to get work injury compensation for you.

Errors That Hurt Your Workers’ Comp Benefits Recovery

While filing a compensation claim, your actions plus, inactions are counted and monitored. Any mistake can have a significant impact on recovering your workers’ comp benefits. Most of the injured workers aren’t aware of the legal or workers’ compensation system and its rules regarding injury benefits recovery.

Moreover, they also don’t know about their rights and the proper way for filing a claim. Despite trying their best, the inexperience of a complainant can negatively affect a claim. These mistakes might seem insignificant, but their effects are far-reaching.

Below are some mistakes that could affect your chances of getting injury recovery benefits. 

Reporting the Injury Late or Not at All

You may be concerned about whether or not to report your injury or illness to your employer. You must do so, and you must do it at right time as well. At the time of injury, the workers are ashamed, confused, or disoriented. They might not be thinking straight because of their injury.

However, if you don’t file your injury on the time it can become difficult to gain the legal benefits for compensation. Injured workers need to report their injuries to their employers as soon as possible.

The statute of limitations in Wilmington, NC gives a specific time limit for when you can report your injury. Failing to do so will have extreme consequences on your workers’ comp benefits.

Not Getting Treatment from a Doctor

After suffering from a work-related injury or illness, it is important to get medical attention as soon as possible. Getting proper treatment is crucial for your health and your financial compensation claim as well.

Moreover, you should also consider the doctor you are consulting with. Some employers or their workers’ compensation insurance company have specific workers’ compensation doctor and their injured employees should visit for medical examination. If you don’t get your medical treatment from this pre-approved doctor, it might obstruct you from getting your benefits.

Failure to Keep Adequate Records and Documentation

To receive your worker compensation benefits, it is critical to provide all the records and documentation. You should have a comprehensive record of everything that occurred during and after your workplace injury. 

You should document everything you can recall as soon as possible about your accident. Be sure to include what you were doing before the accident, at the moment of the accident, and immediately after the accident.

You should include all the details, even what you might think is insignificant.

You also have to provide documents to claim work-related injury compensation, such as your medical records as proof of your injury.

Not Hiring Legal Representation

There are several reasons injured workers can be uncertain whether to hire an attorney or not. Some simple cases can be handled on your own, but a professional attorney can ensure that you get the maximum compensation you deserve according to your injury.

Having a qualified and experienced workers’ compensation attorney alongside you can relax your mind. This will help you recover from your injury while your lawyer handles the compensation claim process.

Without the support of legal counsel, your employer might try to overlook your injury.

Get a Professional Workers’ Compensation Attorney 

These mistakes can hurt your workers’ compensation. You can prevent these errors by getting proper professional legal representation. We at NC Workers Compensation Lawyers help our clients to file a claim and avoid any possible mistakes.

Our expert NC Workers Compensation Lawyers are available 24/7.

We are more than happy to give legal advice to our clients around Wilmington, North Carolina. Contact us now to get started with your claim.

Workers compensation benefits may be tied to your job. It is quite normal for employees to consider looking for a new job or change their career after enduring a work-related injury. They are eager to find their new job in a lower-risk industry. Maybe they want something safer, less physically demanding. or they just need to learn new skills or experience different challenges especially if their injury prevents them from being able to do the same type of work as before.

Workers’ compensation in Wilmington, NC is meant to reimburse you for your lost wages because of the injury, as well as any related medical expenditures, but it’s not intended to keep you from working altogether. You have a right to switch your job even when you are receiving compensation benefits. But in some cases, it is much easier to stay with your employer to keep getting the disability benefits.

The answer to this complex question of whether you can start a new job while receiving compensation benefits is determined on a case-by-case basis. That’s why you need assistance from an experienced attorney to guide you regarding the issue.

How a New Job Could Affect Your Benefits

You would be able to gain your worker compensation benefits from the current job even if you decide to quit and change your career. The employer is supposed to pay your compensation benefits to continue until the assigned or company’s pre-approved doctor states you don’t need further medical attention.

The insurance company might also require you to see a doctor a minimum number of times per year to continue receiving benefits.

You should be able to receive your workers’ compensation benefits from your current job even when you quit. Until the assigned doctor states that you do not need medical care, your employers should continue to pay your medical benefits.

If your new job is in a different state, you would still receive your compensation benefits. But the laws in the state where you were injured will still apply to the compensation policy, regardless of where you live or work.

But it would be to your advantage to work at the same company until your case is resolved and your employer pays the full financial settlement. A professional attorney can discuss the right option with you and answer any queries you may have.

Working While Receiving Workers Compensation Benefits

There are several reasons why many workers might want to return to work and, the work comp benefits also shouldn’t keep them from working. Some of the chief reasons to continue your work at the same company include:

• To remain active and healthy
• To keep your career moving onward
• To keep earning for your family
• Prevent anxiety caused by sitting at home all day long

You should keep in mind that your new job might not pay similar to what you were earning for your work where you were injured. But still, you can obtain payment for the difference in wages. You can also continue to receive medical benefits for all healthcare and medical costs related to your injury.

Workers’ compensation laws can be confusing for an inexperienced person and, you may end up losing your benefits. You may have a pending case denied because you weren’t aware of all the dos and don’ts.

By working with an attorney from our office, you’ll have all the answers, so you can rest assured that you won’t be jeopardizing your workers’ compensation claim or benefits.

Dangers of Quitting your Job While Receiving Workers Compensation Benefits

The dangers of leaving a job while you have a pending workers compensation case are:

If your injury worsens after working in a new company, the first employer can argue that the problem is from the new job.

Many defendants also pay extra money in a settlement which includes the injured employer resigning from their employment. By leaving a job voluntarily after any injury, you might give up this element of recovering your money.

Your injury may cause you to miss work on your second job as well. Also, the first employer will get a stronger argument for not paying workers’ compensation benefits.

Speak To NC Workers Compensation Lawyers

You can switch your job during a pending workers’ compensation claim, but there are some aspects you should be fully aware of before doing so. It is best to acquire competent assistance from professional and qualified lawyers from NC Workers Compensation Lawyers.

Our team of well-experienced attorneys can help you make the right decision.

Going through a workers’ comp claim in North Carolina isn’t as easy as it seems. Aside from the physical pain from the injury, you’ll also have to bear, the process of getting an acceptable amount of compensation can be quite demanding. 

Plus, the recovery from severe injuries doesn’t always go as planned. Many people have to experience impediments along the way that can trigger a negative influence on their daily routine and their ability to work in the future.

If you have suffered a workplace injury and are getting workers’ compensation benefits from it, a minute negative alteration in your condition will require that your compensation assistance should continue for a prolonged duration.

In some cases, the change in condition occurs after the compensation claim has been settled and closed because the worker was thought to be fully recovered from their injury or to have reached MMI (maximum medical improvement).  MMI implies that your condition has steadied, and additional treatment wouldn’t essentially further improve your work-related injuries. 

Moreover, it is when you’ve reached MMI, the extent of damage your injury caused becomes obvious.

But because of changes in the condition, the worker may receive compensation benefits once again. The claim has to be re-opened and filed again. It can be tiresome to open a settled claim, and that’s why you need assistance from a qualified workers’ compensation attorney.

Workers’ compensation lawyers will confirm that you get the best compensation possible for your injury or change in condition.

What Does A Change In Condition Mean?

A “change in condition” can be simply expressed as worsening of your work-related injury, typically after reaching MMI and returning to work. In that case, the aggravated health conditions may inhibit you from resuming your job, resulting in loss of income. 

For the change in condition claim to be validated, you have to specify that your condition depreciated and such change occurred due to the initial injury. The worsening of the condition and inability to resume work is because of an initial work-related injury.

You must provide effective evidence to designate that there’s a contributing connection between your previous injury and your worsened conditions. Medical evidence or a description from an experienced doctor can support your claims.

It is challenging to re-open a settled workers’ compensation claim in Wilmington, North Carolina without competent legal help. The employers and insurers are also unwilling to spend more incidentals on a case that has already been closed. But a recovering worker with an actual requirement for continuous medical treatment compensation or time off from work has the right to be supported by the law.

If you want to re-open a workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina due to a change in condition, proficient workers’ compensation attorneys can guide you through the process and discover all the assistance you deserve.

Why Is Change In Condition Important For NC Workers’ Comp?

The workers’ compensation for workplace-related injuries can cover medical bills and a percentage of total weekly wages as the worker cannot resume their job. The main aim is to support the worker until they reach MMI and are well enough to get back to work.

Ultimately, the doctor treating the injured worker will conclude whether the patient has reached the maximum medical improvement (MMI) or not. It signifies the workers have reached the recovery limits, or the condition won’t recover or worsen any further.

At this point, the workers’ comp insurance providers will settle and close the worker’s claim and stop paying any benefits.

The workers can return to their jobs just as before the injury.

But closing the claim can be problematic if the worker returns to work and their medical illness takes a turn for the worse. A worker in need of medical care or time off from work for a change in condition is directly related to their original workers’ compensation and deserves sustained benefits.

Does A Change In Condition For The Worse Affect Compensation?

In Wilmington, North Carolina, the injured workers can only re-open the settled workers’ compensation claim within two years from the previous reimbursement date. Plus, if the claim is a medical-only case, the injured workers can open the case within a one-year time limit. 

The earlier compensation didn’t cover the worsened conditions; the case has to start again to accommodate changes in condition. An approved claim will allow you to get additional financial and medical benefits along with the initial compensation. 

Though, the qualified workers must consider the time limitation for re-opening their claims. You can lose your right to attain additional compensation if you don’t apply for it within the designated time duration.

Get Legal Help Immediately By Contacting Us Now!

It is possible to open an already settled work compensation claim if your condition changes for the worse. But you’ll require some legal assistance by a competent workers compensation attorney to enjoy additional benefits for your worsened condition positively.

The NC Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition, with our dedicated attorneys, has effectively protected supplementary compensation for abundant injured employees, and we’ll be pleased to help you as well!

As a new employee, you are most likely to feel a mixture of excitement and concern on your first day on the job. While you are learning to perform your duties, there are more chances to get wounded during the first several days of a new job.

Even if you are injured while working on the first day of your job in North Carolina, you can get covered by workers’ compensation insurance and permitted benefits.

Workers’ compensation is a type of no-fault insurance that most employers have to buy to offer better protection to injured workers. The compensation insurance is intended to cover medical care and arrange for wage-replacement benefits.

If anyone injured on the first day of a new job is told that they do not qualify for the workers’ comp benefits should ask for professional assistance from a competent workers’ compensation law attorney in North Carolina as soon as possible.

They can help you get a clear picture of your eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits after enduring a workplace injury.

How Do Employees Get Hurt on Their First Days of Work?

It is quite natural to be nervous on your first day on the job. While learning and getting used to your new work can lead to some unexpected accidents and serious injuries that can put you out of work for more than one week depending on the type of injury you sustain.

There are several reasons for which the new employees can get severely hurt on the first day of their job:

• Lack of adequate training
• Inadequate security measures and safety equipment
• Hazing
• Bad luck

Don’t Be Afraid to Report Your Injury on Your First Day

Many new employees are tentative and don’t inform their supervisors or managers regarding their work-related injuries. It can be more difficult and daunting to report an injury and file a workers’ compensation claim after getting hurt on your first day, but not doing so can be a big mistake, as you won’t be able to claim any worker compensation benefits.

If you wait and don’t report your injury at the right time you won’t get any compensation for your medical bills or missed paychecks. You can file a case for workers’ compensation in case of any work-related injuries. If the employer fires you for filing a compensation claim, regardless of your tenancy or probationary period status in the company, it is against the law. 

Who Has Workers’ Comp Rights if Injured on the First Day of Work

Under Wilmington, North Carolina law, most businesses with three or more employees must secure a constant workers’ compensation insurance handling for their employees. Even if a company has only one employee at a time engaged in the duties, for the time being, it is obliged to offer proper coverage for every employee, even on their first day of joining.

The workers have become a part of the group starting from the first day and have the right to claim workers’ compensation benefits.

Filing for Workers’ Comp when Injured at Work on the First Day

Whenever an employee is injured during the job, they should immediately report the accident and extent of injury to their supervisor even if it’s the first day of their job in any company. Many companies also contain formal measures for reporting on-the-job accidents and injuries.

An employee should follow the company’s guidelines for reporting the accident and injury. 

If there isn’t any formal method for a workplace-related injury report, the employee should report their accident verbally by reporting it in writing. The injured workers should also readily see a doctor, and follow his instructions.

If he asks you to rest and stay home, put that in writing and give it to your employer or insurer.

Keep the documents intact, including papers related to your injury, medical care, and missed work.

Get In Touch With Experienced Attorneys

Experienced workers’ compensation lawyers can help your claim worker’s compensation benefits even if you get injured on the first day of your job. A professional attorney is fully aware of the rules and regulations of the N.C. workers’ compensation system. 

Sometimes the employers and insurers deny valid first-day claims to save their money, that’s why you need expert support to file a claim and get the compensation you deserve. We at the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Coalition provide proficient compensation lawyers to support your claims.

We know how employers and insurers sometimes wrongly try to deny valid claims to save money; we can help you get your rightful compensation.

Accidents in the workplace can put people out of work for days, weeks, or even more, and even if they do come back to service, they may have lost their vigor, resilience, and ability, at least in part. Similar losses can also happen due to work environment illnesses which can incur both economic and non-economic damages upon the worker. Your top priority in the case of a workplace injury should be to contact our capable NC Worker’s Compensation Lawyers to sort the legal mess as soon as possible because there is no time to be lost here if you want to be compensated fairly.

But before we go that far, we first need to understand the basic anatomy of a worker’s comp claim, what it is, how it works, and what you can get out of it. The basic point of this article is to discuss how a worker’s injury/illness compensation works for a work-injury victim.

Here are the basic stages:

#1) Inform Your Employer

This goes for both workplace injuries and illnesses – after collecting firsthand evidence, i.e. photos, videos, and assorted evidence, you need to inform your company about the incident. It is best to use an official channel for this purpose because that way your report will be documented. You can send an official email to your employer detailing the incident, i.e. how it happened, where, and how much you’ve suffered (it would be best to be diagnosed beforehand for this last part).

You should also get a copy of the incident report that will be available once you’ve filed your declaration/request. Ideally, you should not delay matters at all, be as quick as you can be, but don’t rush it either because the way you phrase things will matter a lot. Also, you need to get diagnosed by a medical professional to state the nature of your injuries with authority. But putting off sending your email to your company is not recommended either.

Lastly, be sure you understand how things usually work in your company to better progress through the whole process.

#2) Rush to a Medical Professional

You can’t put off seeking medical help because that would imply that your sufferings were not as intense as you stated. After all, if it were so, you wouldn’t have delayed seeking medical help. When you reach out to a medical professional, they’ll first diagnose your condition, most likely by observation alone, but in challenging cases, they may use advanced diagnostic tests as well. Keep a track of your medical records and reports for the current state, both of them will affect how much you can demand in compensation for your condition.

#3) File Your Claim

Next, based on the company policy, you’ll be able to file your claim and thus seek compensation for your injuries/illnesses. Usually, the protocol involves filling out a couple of forms and contacting the insurance company of your employer. If your claim is uncontested, then you’ll get your settlement for the medical bills, loss of income (short-term or long-term), and possibly compensation for permanent disability, without much trouble. However, if your employer feels that your injuries are not work-related, they can contest your claim.

Generally, the bigger the suffering, the bigger the compensation.

#4) As Soon As You Can, Return To Work

You should not delay getting back to work when you can. If possible, you should continue working for your company part-time and get compensated for the duration you don’t work. But if you can’t work at all during the recovery phase, then let your employer know about the recommendations of your doctor. Once the recovery period passes, return to work. Otherwise, it would be seen as an abuse of your legal claim which can backfire badly – watch out!

Contact Our NC Worker’s Compensation Lawyers

Your time is precious here, and even more important is how you act in such circumstances – be mindful about what you do and say because it will affect your settlement. For proper counsel in the matter, you should not hesitate when reaching out to an attorney at law, even if you’re not sure that you can afford their services. Our NC Worker’s Compensation Lawyers will listen to your story and share insights about the matter with you to let you better understand the options available to you. This way, you’ll be better equipped to make important decisions that will affect the outcome of your case.

Of course, we’ll handle the legal work for you, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

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We are often asked about how much of the damages incurred by workplace injuries/illnesses are covered by worker’s compensation. Can you, for instance, expect to be compensated if you get infected by COVID while on your job? In this article, we’ll explore the conditions and categories which qualify for compensation via worker’s compensation to help you better understand what your situation holds.

If you do have to face financial and non-financial losses due to a work-related injury or illness, you need to discuss matters with a worker’s compensation lawyer as soon as possible. There is no other way to get compensated fairly for all of your losses, especially not by handling things on your own.

But before we can move to that stage, let’s see what situations qualify for worker’s compensation:

The Damages Must Be Work-Related

Well, this much is a no-brainer: if you want to be compensated for certain work injuries and damages, you’ll first have to verify that the losses are indeed work-related.

Maybe it was your work routine that took its toll on you, a slip and fall accident in a warehouse, or an infection from work (i.e. if one of your colleagues was not vaccinated for COVID and transmitted it despite precautions from your side), and so on.

The best practice in this regard is to gather as much evidence as possible so you never run out of resources to help strengthen your case. If you have photos, videos, and other records showing that your damages are work-related, ideally gathered on the spot, then you’re golden.

Work-Related Illnesses

Occupational illnesses or work-related diseases are different from routine infections, and you have the burden of proving that you contracted them in the workplace. Illnesses like black lung disease which is caused by coal dust, asbestosis which results due to exposure to asbestos, or COVID-19 are easier to prove as occupational diseases once the medical link is established. The same, however, can’t be said for the cold or flu which are regular infections that a person can contract from anywhere.

COVID-19 Contracted From The Workplace

Whether or not you get coverage for COVID infection will depend on the state laws, but if you do want to get compensated, you’ll have to prove that you were infected in the workplace, due to negligence on part of your management staff. For instance, maybe your employer did not mandate COVID vaccination for all, or there were no checks for the SOPs, or no verification about whether people were indeed vaccinated or not. In such cases, your employer will be considered liable for the damages given that you acted responsibly throughout.

Injuries Resulting From Repetitive Motion

Once again, a straightforward category – being subjected to a stressful heavy routine without respite can lead to serious injuries such as muscle strains and sprains. Lifting boxes, packing and unpacking stuff, moving heavy packages around, and handling heavy items (in general), can have such consequences. All employers are generally required not to overburden their workers and to offer rests in between work sessions to let the employees work at an optimal rate.

Compensation For Pre-Existing Conditions

If some pre-existing conditions are diagnosed while you’re being checked for the effects of your current injury, you will still get compensated for the damages you sustained. Your injury will be seen as an aggravation of your previous condition, however, some benefits might be slashed.

Loss Of Hearing Due To Noise

If someone works in an industry where they have to work in extremely noisy environments and that leads to loss of hearing, then this once again is a condition that deserves compensation. Worker’s compensation will cover such damages without issue.

Losses Incurred By Stress & Vice Versa

Anxiety and stress are directly correlated with illnesses and injuries – things can go both ways: a person might either contract some serious illness due to a stressful work environment or may fall into the pit of depression after sustaining some serious injury at work. In both cases, the person deserves to be compensated for the losses as long as a connection can be built between the work environment and the damages sustained.

Death

Lastly, if an employee dies due to some related injury or illness, their survivors (i.e. parents, spouse, children) can demand compensation for wrongful death, i.e. the economic and non-economic losses that they suffered due to the death of their loved one.

In all such cases, you should not hold back from contacting our professional NC Worker’s Compensation Lawyers for timely assistance and legal representation.