July 1, 2024
It is a fact of life that owing to the sheer amount of time we spend at our workplaces that inevitably we might end up getting injured or sick while on the job. From faster work output requirements, repetitive stress issues, working close to dangerous machinery, workplace accidents become more and more likely, which might leave the worried worker wondering what benefits they are entitled to in the event they get hurt at work.
For North Carolina workers asking these same questions, let’s explore the workman compensation assistance that is available to Tar Heel State employees if they are injured on the job. Raleigh-based North Carolina Industrial Commission is responsible for administering the state’s worker’s compensation program.
Under the state’s law, all businesses with three or more employees are mandated to provide coverage, albeit some notable exceptions have been carved out for the agricultural sector. Under the legislation, employers are required to pay the medical costs associated with the injury although they are allowed to dictate the insurance carrier of their choice.
In addition to providing for any medical expenses attributed to the workplace injury, employers are also required to meet a myriad of contingencies. To help defray any expenses associated with the employee’s injury, state law requires reimbursement for mileage to doctor visits that results in trips over 20 miles roundtrip.
Should the employee performs their work duties owing to their doctor’s orders, state law mandates that weekly wage loss benefits be paid for any period the worker is unable to work. Finally, in the event of the most serious injuries, workman’s compensation claims might pay for permanent injury, which is known as a rating and relates to in some cases an injured body part.
In the worst-case scenario relating to a workplace injury, the death of an employee, the North Carolina workman’s compensation program allows for the payment of death benefits.
A wide swath of activities can lead to a worksite injury that might serve as an example of successful worker’s compensation claims in the Tar Heel State. Such examples include:
Indeed, there is an array of conditions and injuries that might lead to a successful workman’s compensation claim.
Unfortunately, while it is easy to get injured while on the job, obtaining support in the aftermath of a work-related injury can prove a complicated procedure.
Typically speaking, the North Carolina Industrial Commission assigns a time frame in which injured employees must file a claim. Generally, an employee must alert their employer to the injury within a 10-to-90-day timeframe.
Additionally, the injured employee must also notify the North Carolina Industrial Commission to assure that their claim is not forfeit owing to missed deadlines.
For workers worried about meeting the important deadlines and conditions to qualify for workman’s compensation benefits, seeking out the services of qualified legal counsel can help navigate the bureaucratic hurdles often associated with securing your benefits.
In broad terms, there are four categories of benefit packages available to injured workers designed to meet the level of injury sustained and the length of time that the injury will keep them off the job. The four categories include:
2. Temporary Partial Disability Benefits (TPD)—is designed for workers who are released back to work for “light” duty for a specific period. The amount paid is the difference between the normal pay of the TTD and the amount paid for the modified work.
3. Permanent Partial Disability Benefits (PPD)—represents a more serious injury resulting in a permanent impairment, such as the loss of a limb, and the resultant payment will correlate with the severity of the injury. The actual formula can be complicated, and your attorney will explain the details related to such accountings.
4. Permanent Total Disability Benefits (PTD)—results when the injury sustained leaves the worker permanently disabled and unable to ever return to work. Oftentimes, the dollar amount is capped with the Social Security Administration’s taking on the support with SSDI. This benefit package represents the most extreme example of a worksite injury.
Getting injured on the job can be a traumatic experience, but not receiving the support you need and deserve in such a situation is untenable. Thanks to the protections afforded by North Carolina’s Workman Compensation program provide a level of support in these tough times. If you have any concerns or questions regarding your workplace injury, you should seek legal advice to better understand your rights.
Experts in workman compensation claims, our team here at Sumwalt Law Firm has been helping injured workers receive their just compensation in the event of an accident for nearly four decades. We have a deep understanding of the ins and outs of filing a successful workman’s compensation claim, and we are the Charlotte workers’ comp attorney that you can rely on for prompt, vigorous legal action on your behalf.
Whether you are seeking help in collecting your needed benefits, or you are afraid that your medical treatment is being compromised owing to a lack of available resources, we have the experience and expertise to properly manage your claim, so you don’t have to worry while you get the time to recuperate and heal in the aftermath of your injury. Let us do your legal battles while you get better in the aftermath of an injury. If you have questions regarding your potential claim for a work-related injury, we invite you to contact our team for a confidential appraisal of your injury and case.
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Disclaimer: The information provided on the website is only for informational purposes and is not intended to, constitute legal advice, instead of all information, content, and other available materials.
