A workplace injury can result in serious injuries. The team at Speaks Law Firm can take your workers’ compensation case and get you the financial help you need.
NC Work Injury Lawyer
If you have been injured at work, physical recovery from your injury is not the only concern on your mind. You may be wondering how you will pay bills or put food on the table. Perhaps you fear you will be unable to return to the same type of work you have done for years, and you need to determine your next steps to move forward.
At Speaks Law Firm, we help people facing situations like yours every day. We can evaluate your claim, implement effective strategies, and fight to get you the best outcome possible. We help you navigate healthcare and insurance concerns, providing peace of mind and specialized knowledge while you heal.
Do I Have a Workers’ Compensation or Personal Injury Case?
Your workplace injury may also include other claims as well. Often, an accident at work will also give rise to additional claims for recovery with a third-party or products liability claim being the most common. In cases involving three parties, you may need to proceed with both a Workers’ Compensation claim and a Personal Injury claim.
At Speaks Law, your Workers’ Compensation attorney will evaluate your case for all potential means of recovery and bring in our Personal Injury attorneys when the facts of your case allow it. We are passionate about getting you the best value for your case and will leave no stone unturned when getting you the recovery you deserve.
Common Work Injuries include:
- Slips and falls
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Struck by machinery
- Struck by falling objects
- Fires
- Toxic chemical exposure
- Electrocution
- Explosions
Call today and let our Workers’ Compensation attorney speak for you.
The Speaks Law Firm proudly serves people throughout eastern North Carolina, including Wilmington, Fayetteville, Jacksonville, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Bolivia, Burgaw, Whiteville, Lumberton, Leland, Shallote, New Hanover County, Pender County, Brunswick County, Columbus County, and Robeson County.
We Make it Easy
Suffering an injury is incredibly difficult but getting the help you need shouldn’t be. All you have to do is call our office and we’ll start reviewing your claim right away.
You Deserve Compensation
If you’ve been hurt in an accident, you need a fighter in your corner. Our attorneys will fight for the maximum amount of compensation you deserve for your injuries and other damages.
No Hidden Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis. This means you never have to worry about hidden fees or upfront costs. In fact, we don’t get paid at all unless we win for you!
(910) 341-7570
Why Choose Speaks Law Firm?
Accidents can happen at any time. You can be as careful as you can be, but you can never predict the action of others out on the road. When this happens, you need someone to speak on your behalf to fight for your rights. Speaks Law Firm is here for you.
- Our People. Our team is our main differentiator. We hired each one for their solid background and experience in the field. This all-star cast of talented, dedicated, and accomplished legal professionals cares about your case. With over 20 years of experience, we will do our best to fight for your rights.
- Our Process. We have built collaboration into our process. Our legal professionals were selected to work at the firm due to their experience. They work together to build your case and help you reach your goals.
- Our Commitment. You need someone committed to fighting for your rights after an accident that places you in a vulnerable position. At Speaks Law Firm, our team works hard to provide our clients in Wilmington, NC, and the surrounding areas with sound legal service. We speak for you.
- Free Consultation. Our lines of communication are open. You can set up a free consultation if you need to discuss your personal injury case and find the right legal option for your situation.
Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina
In North Carolina, employers are required to carry workers’ compensation coverage to protect employees who are injured on the job. Workers’ compensation in North Carolina does not consider fault, but your disregard of safety considerations could threaten your claim if it contributed to your injury. If your claim is accepted, then your employer’s workers’ comp carrier would pay for your medical treatment and lost income according to the statutory comp rate.
In a North Carolina workplace accident, an injury is compensable to qualify. You will have to show that the accident and injury occurred outside of your regular routine in the workplace. If your injury resulted from slipping on a wet floor or a box that broke open while you were carrying it, these factors interrupting your normal work routine may cause you to qualify for workers’ comp.
You must be an employee of the company to receive workers’ compensation benefits. The coverage applies to full-time and part-time employees. You may not be covered if you are an independent contractor.
If your employer denies your workers’ compensation claim, you still have options. Call the team at Speaks Law Firm to discuss your case and we will review whether the denial was proper.
Proving Negligence in a Workplace Accident Personal Injury Case
A personal injury case involving a workplace accident will need to prove that the responsible party showed carelessness (negligence), which led to the accident and resulted in your injury.
Note that while the statute of limitations for personal injury in North Carolina is three years, the statute of limitations for workers’ compensation is only two years from the date of the injury or the discovery of the problem. The sooner you contact us, the more quickly we can begin to take care of you and address time-sensitive issues in your work injury case.
At Speaks Law Firm, we guide you through the entire process to answer your questions, review the details of your case, and strategize a way forward for your future. If you believe your employer’s carelessness or recklessness led to your injury, schedule a free consultation.
What Workers’ Compensation or an Injury Settlement Payout Can Cover
Workers’ compensation pays for medical treatment related to injuries you suffered in the workplace as a result of an accident, such as medication, surgeries, and hospital stays.
Lost wages in a workers’ comp claim are paid at a statutory compensation rate that equals two-thirds of average weekly earnings. Workers’ compensation claims either accepted or denied by your employer.
In contrast, a personal injury claim does not require the approval or denial of your employer, and it is more flexible in the types and amounts of compensation you may receive for your injuries. Compensation in a personal injury case may account for future lost wages and noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Discuss Your Case With Speaks Law Firm to Determine Your Path Forward
You should discuss your case with Speaks Law Firm shortly following your injury if possible, but we will also work on a strategy to move forward if your claim has already been denied.
You may feel that your employer’s treatment has been dismissive of your safety and well-being following your injury. You need a team on your side that is looking out for your next steps in life. If your employer did not provide proper equipment to ensure your safety, these details may be important to your case. Our team will vigorously protect your rights and interests.
At Speaks Law Firm, we have been committed to fighting for our clients in Charlotte, Wilmington, and the surrounding areas of North Carolina for more than 20 years. Schedule a free consultation if you have been injured at work, and we will evaluate your case for workers’ compensation or a personal injury claim.
For more information about how we can help you avoid costly mistakes after an Auto Accident Injury in North Carolina contact us by filling out the “How can we help you?” form at the top of this page.
I was hurt in a car accident in Wilmington, North Carolina. My medical bills are outrageously high. The driver who caused the accident has the minimum insurance limits ($30,000.00) that are required by law. The adjuster has offered to pay the policy limits ($30,000.00). Should I get an attorney? What should I do?
State law requires each vehicle owner to carry at least $30,000.00 of liability insurance coverage. You can purchase more. Many people carry at least $100,000 in liability coverage per person and $300,000 per occurrence.
The liability insurance policy for the vehicle of the responsible driver is required to pay for the medical and other expenses of those who were not at fault. The policy will pay up to the limits of the policy. In other words, where there is $30,000.00 (or $60,000.00) of liability coverage, the insurance company could be required to pay that entire amount, but no more.
Where the damages are greater than the limits of the insurance policy, the injured person must look for other sources of recovery. These are some of the questions your lawyer will ask in order to comprehensively address this complex issue:
- Does the responsible driver have a different liability policy that you could access?
- Was the responsible driver working for his employer at the time of the accident?
- Does the responsible driver have an umbrella insurance policy?
- Does the injured person have underinsured motorist coverage?
- Does the responsible driver have assets that could be seized and sold in order to pay some or all of the judgment beyond the limits of the insurance policy?*
* This particular analysis can be complicated. Before you reject the insurance companies offer to settle the case for the policy limits and proceed with a lawsuit, you must think clearly and carefully. If you were seriously injured by the negligence of another person, you are probably angry. Who could blame you? I would be. Of course, you want the person responsible for the accident to pay for the damage they caused. In fact, the law requires it.
However, ifthe negilgent driver does not have the assets to pay for damages beyond the limits of the insurance policy, you will be wasting valuable time and money. You may want to perform an asset search in order to determine whether this is a viable option. The process of securing and enforcing a judgment can be expensive. If the responsible person does not have sufficient assets, then you will have wasted time and money for no reason.
Where damages exceed insurance coverage you need an experienced personal injury lawyer more than ever. A good lawyer may be able to find additional sources or recovery. He or she may be able to perform an informal asset search. From that he will be able to determine whether you should you accept the policy limits or fight for more.
Even if there is not enough money to pay all of the medical expenses from the available insurance policy, an experienced personal injury attorney can help. He may be able to negotiate down the amount of the outstanding medical bills. He may be able to use financial leverage and statutory laws to get your bills paid and still put a substantial amount of money in your pocket. Call or contact us now to find out how we can help you maximize your recovery in your auto accident and injury case.