Injured on the job? A work injury can interrupt your pay, your medical care, and your peace of mind. Speaks Law Firm helps people in Charlotte, NC, and nearby communities pursue workers compensation benefits, deal with the insurance company, and move their claims forward through a team-based approach. When adversity strikes, who speaks for you? Speaks Law Firm.
Your Charlotte, NC, Workers Compensation Attorneys
Workers compensation claims often begin when someone expects their employer to step in after a job-related injury or illness. Many people assume that because they have worked hard and maintained a good relationship with their employer, they will be taken care of if something goes wrong at work. The reality is that employers and workers compensation insurance carriers may dispute liability when an employee is hurt on the job. If you suffered an injury or developed an illness tied to your work, you have rights.
At Speaks Law Firm, we are committed to helping injured workers in Charlotte and across North Carolina pursue the compensation available to them after a job-related injury. A serious work injury can affect your health, your paycheck, and your family’s day-to-day stability, which is why our team takes a hands-on, collaborative approach from the start. We help people make sense of the workers compensation process, address questions about benefits and medical care, and take steps to move claims forward when employers or insurance carriers push back.
At no cost to you, call us for a free case review at (980) 237-6948 or reach out through our contact page to speak with our legal team about your situation. The Speaks Law Firm proudly serves people throughout North Carolina, including Wilmington, Fayetteville, Jacksonville, Charlotte, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Bolivia, Burgaw, Whiteville, Lumberton, Leland, and Shallotte, as well as New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick, Columbus, Mecklenburg, and Robeson Counties.
Key Takeaways
Here are the main points to know at the start of a North Carolina workers compensation case:
- Workers compensation may cover medical care, wage loss, permanent disability, and death benefits when a job injury or occupational disease meets North Carolina law.
- Many North Carolina employers with three or more employees must carry workers compensation insurance, with certain exceptions and special rules.
- Written notice to the employer matters, and filing deadlines can affect whether a claim can move forward.
- A denied workers comp claim does not always mean the case is over; hearings and other procedures may still be available.
- A workers compensation attorney or work injury lawyer can help with forms, evidence, doctor disputes, wage issues, and questions about whether a third-party personal injury claim may also exist.
- Don’t waste time if you’ve been in an accident recently because time is one of the biggest things that can hurt your case. The longer you wait, the harder it may be to connect your injury to the incident, preserve records, and respond to deadlines that affect your claim. Speaks Law Firm encourages injured people to act quickly so the facts can be reviewed early, the right documents can be gathered, and the case can begin moving in the right direction.
Do I Have a Workers Compensation Case?
Workers compensation claims involve many different types of injuries and accidents, covering a wide variety of situations. If you were injured on the job, you may have rights to pursue workers compensation benefits for your injuries and lost wages. Here are a few examples of workers comp situations that you may be facing:
Common Injuries:
- Neck and back injuries
- Spine injuries
- Sprains
- Broken bones
- Bruises and cuts
- Eye injuries
- Burns
Common Types of Workers Compensation Accidents:
- Commercial trucking accidents
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Machinery accidents
- Industrial accidents
- Construction accidents
Many injuries that occur on the job are typically covered by workers compensation, but there are some exceptions. For example, injuries that happen while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or while committing a crime aren’t usually covered.
Are You Within the Time Limit To Seek Compensation?
After a work injury, timing can affect your claim in several ways. Reporting the incident, seeking medical care, and handling the required paperwork as early as possible can help support your case and reduce avoidable issues. Waiting too long can make it harder to connect the injury to the job or move the claim forward.
Our Charlotte, North Carolina workers comp lawyers are ready to review the details of your situation, explain the next steps, and help you address the deadlines and filing requirements that may apply.
How Workplace Accidents Happen in Charlotte
There are many ways a worker can be injured on the job. Below are some common causes of workplace accidents our attorneys see. If your work-related injury or illness happened for one of these reasons, or for another reason, and you need help filing a workers comp claim, call our Charlotte, NC, workers comp lawyers today.
Some of the common causes of workplace accidents include:
- Lifting Heavy Objects: Without proper technique or equipment, lifting heavy objects can cause sprains, strains, and tears. These injuries can be very painful and may require surgery.
- Slips, trips, and falls: Improper footwear, slick floors, and poor lighting are all contributing factors to devastating slip-and-fall accidents in the workplace. Falls can lead to broken bones, dislocated joints, and even brain injuries.
- Hazardous Materials: Many workers who are surrounded by hazardous materials at their jobs run the risk of developing serious skin conditions or a work related lung disease. These workplace diseases can lead to life-long disabilities.
- Repetitive Motion: Repeating the same job duties over time can lead to an occupational injury, including carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder pain, or back strain.
- Construction Site Accidents: Workers on a construction site may suffer injuries from falls, falling objects, machinery, unsafe walkways, or other job hazards.
- Work Vehicle Accidents: Drivers, delivery workers, and employees traveling for work may suffer injuries while performing job duties.
What To Do After a Work Injury in Charlotte, NC
After a work injury, the steps you take in the hours and days that follow can affect your health, your claim, and your ability to pursue workers compensation. Reporting the incident, seeking medical care, keeping records, and handling the claim carefully can all make a difference. If you were hurt at work in Charlotte, NC, these are some of the first steps to keep in mind:
- Report the Injury in Writing: Tell your employer about the workplace injury as soon as you can. Include when it happened, where it happened, what body parts were hurt, and how the injury occurred. Keep a copy for your records.
- Seek Medical Treatment Right Away: Prompt care protects your health and creates a record of the injury. In Charlotte workers compensation cases, disputes sometimes arise over authorized treatment, referrals, second opinions, work restrictions, and the approved doctor. Early medical records and thorough documentation often help.
- Be Careful When Speaking With the Insurance Company: The workers compensation carrier may ask for recorded statements, work history details, or paperwork that affects your claim. Clear and consistent communication matters.
- Track Your Wages and Missed Time: Save pay stubs, work schedules, doctor notes, mileage records, records from doctors’ offices, and out-of-pocket medical costs. These documents can help show the financial burden a work injury placed on your household, including lost income and possible wage replacement concerns.
- File the Proper Claim Paperwork: In many cases, Form 18 plays a major role in starting a workers compensation claim with the North Carolina Industrial Commission. Your employer may also have reporting duties through Form 19. A claim form can affect the claims process, so it helps to review what has actually been filed.
- Speak With a Workers Compensation Attorney: A workers compensation attorney can review whether the injury appears covered, whether deadlines are close, and whether a hearing or other action may be needed if the insurance company delays or denies benefits. An attorney can also help gather evidence, collect evidence from co-workers, and review whether your job duties support the claim.
Types of Workers Compensation Benefits
Medical Benefits
Typically, workers compensation covers all medical expenses required to diagnose and treat your work-related injury or illness. This can include medications, surgeries, doctor’s appointments, and more.
Disability Benefits
If your injury or illness prevents or limits you from working during your recovery, workers compensation may provide disability benefits to help cover a portion of your lost wages. There are different types of disability benefits that may be available to you at different stages of your claim.
- Temporary Partial Disability BenefitsIf after you return to work you are unable to earn wages as great as those earned before your injury, you may be able to collect weekly compensation equal to two-thirds of the difference between your pre-and post-injury wages.
- Temporary Total Disability BenefitsIf you remain unable to earn wages after the first seven days of a disability, you may be able to collect weekly benefits equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage.
- Permanent Partial Disability BenefitsIf you have a permanent impairment or permanent loss of use to a body part, you may qualify for benefits under North Carolina’s schedule of injuries. The period of payment depends on the body part involved and the degree of impairment.
- Permanent Total Disability BenefitsIn limited situations, North Carolina law provides lifetime permanent total disability benefits. These cases can involve the loss of both hands, both arms, both feet, both legs, both eyes, or any two of those body parts, as well as certain severe paralysis, severe brain injuries, and severe burn injuries. If you qualify for permanent total disability under North Carolina law, you may also remain eligible for medical compensation related to the work injury.
A Charlotte workers compensation lawyer can review which workers compensation benefits may apply, whether the workers comp policy covers the claim, and whether the wage calculation supports fair compensation under North Carolina law.
Death Benefits
If an employee dies due to their work-related injury or illness, their spouse, children, or other dependents would be eligible for death benefits and other funeral costs. These claims can affect family members during a painful time, so a workers compensation attorney can help review the claim form, deadlines, and available benefits.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is the time frame in which you have to file your claim. In North Carolina, many workers compensation claims must be filed within two years of the accident. This deadline is different from the time frame for reporting the injury to your employer. In many cases, you should report the injury to your employer as soon as possible and no later than 30 days after the accident. Missing a deadline can create problems for your claim, although some cases may involve different rules or exceptions depending on the facts.
Our Charlotte, North Carolina workers comp lawyers are ready to review the details of your case, explain how the deadlines may apply, and help you take the next step. A Charlotte workers compensation lawyer can also review whether the proper claim form has been filed with the North Carolina Industrial Commission and whether the claims process is moving forward.
If you have questions about how your injuries or your deadlines may affect your claim, contact us today for a free case review at (980) 237-6948.
Liability and Negligence in Workers Compensation Cases
Liability works differently in workers compensation than it does in a standard personal injury case. A workers comp claim usually does not center on proving the employer acted negligently in the same way a car wreck or premises liability case would. Instead, the focus often falls on whether the injury fits the statute, whether the medical treatment relates to the job, and how the injury affected the worker’s ability to earn wages.
North Carolina workers compensation law also limits direct claims against a covered employer in many situations. At the same time, some work injuries involve a third party. For example, a delivery worker may suffer injuries in motor vehicle accidents caused by another driver, or a contractor may be hurt by unsafe equipment supplied by someone outside the employer. In those situations, workers compensation and a separate personal injury claim may both need review.
When a Work Injury May Also Involve Another Claim
Workers compensation cases and personal injury cases do not pay the same kinds of compensation. A careful review can help identify what paths may be available and what deadlines may apply to each one. A Charlotte workers compensation lawyer can review whether your claim should stay within the workers comp system, whether a third-party injury claim may also apply, or whether the facts involve another issue, such as an independent contractor dispute.
If the employer denies that the injury happened at work, disputes your job duties, or claims the condition came from something outside work, the evidence can matter. Medical records, witness statements, co-workers, accident reports, and photos may help show how the injury occurred and why the claim should move forward.
Some workers search for an administrative law judge after a denied claim. In North Carolina workers compensation cases, disputes are generally handled through the North Carolina Industrial Commission, where hearings may be assigned through the Commission’s process.
How Can a Lawyer Help?
Workers compensation claims can become complicated, especially if there’s a dispute about whether the injury happened on the job or if the accident involves a third party. If you try to handle your case on your own, your claim could be delayed or denied, or you could end up accepting less compensation than your case may support. Hiring a workers compensation attorney can help support your claim.
Your employer’s insurance company has a team of attorneys on its side, so why shouldn’t you?
The team at Speaks Law Firm has decades of experience handling workers comp claims and standing up for injured workers in Charlotte, North Carolina. We can help build a clear connection between your injury and your workplace and pursue compensation for your injuries and losses under the law. We can also review whether a third-party personal injury claim may apply, whether the claim form was filed correctly, and whether the insurance company is treating your lost income, medical bills, and work restrictions properly. At no cost to you, call us for a free consultation at (980) 237-6948.
Filing a Workers Comp Claim in North Carolina
Notify Your Employer
The first step to filing a North Carolina workers comp claim is to notify your employer of your injuries or illness. Regardless of whether you’ve given verbal notification, you must report your accident to your employer in writing within 30 days.
It is then your employer’s responsibility to notify the North Carolina Industrial Commission. You can also file a Form 18 directly with the North Carolina Industrial Commission, which serves as an important claim form and can give the employer’s insurer notice of your claim.
Be sure to include the date of your accident, your injuries, and a detailed account of what happened. If you need help deciding how to file a claim or whether paperwork has already been submitted, a Charlotte workers compensation lawyer can review the status of your claim.
Seek Medical Attention
In addition to reporting your injury/illness to your employer, you should also seek immediate medical attention. Your employer has the right to select the doctor who will provide your medical treatment for a work-related injury/illness. While you may visit your own doctor, you are required to see the doctor your employer designates.
After seeking medical attention, it’s important to follow your doctor’s treatment instructions. Failing to do so can create problems for your workers comp benefits.
Consult a North Carolina Workers Comp Lawyer
If you’re struggling with some parts of the workers compensation system or your claim has been denied, it may help to speak with an attorney who handles workers comp claims.
Having the right attorney on your side can make all the difference in your claim. At Speaks Law Firm, our attorneys know the Charlotte workers comp laws and can help protect you from being taken advantage of by your employer or its insurance company.
What’s more, we can handle all the paperwork and hassles of your claim so you can focus on your health. All you have to do is call us.
How Our Charlotte Workers Compensation Lawyers at Speaks Law Firm Can Help You
Help Is Fast & Easy
We work to make the process as quick and easy as possible. As soon as you call us, we’ll start reviewing your case!
Pursuing Compensation
We will help you pursue compensation for lost wages and medical bills. Our experienced attorneys will fight for fair settlement and appropriate compensation under the law!
No Fees Unless We Win
We work on a contingency-fee basis, so you never have to worry about expensive hourly legal fees or upfront costs. In fact, you won’t owe us a penny unless we win for you!
We Know This Is Hard. We’re Here for You
Suffering an injury or illness because of your job not only affects your health but also your career, finances, and personal life. Even though you’re dealing with serious injuries, life doesn’t stop. Your medical expenses and monthly bills may be piling up and, if your injury prevents you from working, you might not have a way to keep up with your payments. A workplace accident can throw your life into chaos. We see it happen every day.
You should never have to worry about how you’re going to pay your bills and support your family after a workplace injury or illness. Our attorneys at Speaks Law Firm recognize what you’re going through and are here to help you through every step of the way.
Hurt on the Job? We Can Help With Your Claim! Workplace Injuries? Speaks Law Firm Speaks for You! At No Cost to You, Call Us for a Free Case Review
A work injury can turn your life upside down. Speaks Law Firm has worked with injured workers across North Carolina for years, and we know how quickly a job-related accident or occupational illness can affect your health, your paycheck, and your family’s day-to-day stability. When you are dealing with pain, medical treatment, and pressure from the insurance company, even simple decisions can start to feel heavy.
Many of the people we speak with are going through one of the hardest periods of their lives. The stress of how you’re going to pay your bills, keep up with medical care, and move forward while you are out of work can feel overwhelming. Some are facing a denied claim, delayed benefits, or questions about whether their injury qualifies at all. No matter what you’re facing, our team is here to support you and help you take the next step.
At no cost to you, call us for a free case review at (980) 237-6948 or reach out through our contact page to speak with our legal team about your situation.