If you were injured on the job in North Carolina, Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers can help. Call (919) 876-3020 today for a free consultation with a North Carolina workers’ compensation lawyer who will fight for the benefits you deserve.
Workers’ compensation claims can be challenging, and insurance companies often try to limit payouts. Our team can guide you through the process, protect your rights, and work to secure the full benefits you’re entitled to. Contact our North Carolina office today to get started.
Why You’ll Want Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers Taking Charge of Your North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Claim
Suffering an injury at work in North Carolina can quickly disrupt your life, impacting your health, income, and future. With more than 190 years of combined legal experience, Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers knows how to stand up to employers and insurance companies. Our proven track record includes over $850 million recovered for our clients (see disclaimer below).
When you choose us, you gain the advantage of a Board-Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation and a team of award-winning litigators recognized as:
- Top 40 Under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers
- Best Attorneys of America
- Super Lawyers
- Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel
- Top 100 by The National Trial Lawyers
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum members
- AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
We can offer the reliable, attentive, aggressive legal representation you need after a life-changing accident, but you don’t have to take our word for it. We’ve received over 1,800 Five-Star reviews from former clients on Google and other trusted platforms.
There’s no charge to discuss your workers’ compensation case, so call today to schedule a free consultation with a North Carolina personal injury attorney.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a private insurance system that allows certain workers to get monetary benefits when they become injured or sick because of their job. The no-fault system provides benefits regardless of whether the employee shares responsibility for their workplace accident, injuries, or illness.
In exchange for insurance benefits, the employee waives the right to sue their employer for damages, even if the employer is at fault.
Do I Qualify for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
Workers’ compensation benefits can be awarded as long as all of the following prerequisites are satisfied:
- You’re an employee, not an independent contractor
- Your employer has at least three employees, including part-time and seasonal workers
- You suffer injuries or are diagnosed with an occupational disease in the course of your employment
If you meet the first two requirements, you simply have to demonstrate that you got hurt while taking care of responsibilities expected of you in your role with the company. You don’t have to be injured at your place of employment to qualify for benefits.
For instance, you could qualify for workers’ compensation if you were injured in a job-related car accident or truck accident.
How Much Is My Workers’ Compensation Claim Worth?
We can’t say what your workers’ compensation claim is worth without knowing more about your specific situation. However, answers to the following questions can offer some insight into your claim’s potential value:
- What types of injuries have you suffered?
- Are you going to miss more than 7 days of work because of your injuries?
- Can you still work in some limited capacity?
- What was your average weekly wage (AWW) before you got hurt?
- What’s the likelihood you’ll be permanently impaired because of your workplace accident?
- Will you need rehabilitation services to return to work or train for a new position?
The more serious your injury, and the higher your income before you get hurt, the more you can expect to recover in workers’ compensation benefits. However, workers’ compensation benefits are limited, both in terms of what’s covered and how long they can be awarded. There are built-in caps and restrictions that will limit how much money you can get.
Many times, it’s important to consider other options for getting compensation, such as a personal injury lawsuit against a liable third party. When you file a civil lawsuit, you can request economic damages and non-economic damages that won’t be subject to statutory caps or limits.
What Benefits Does Workers’ Compensation Pay in North Carolina?
North Carolina’s workers’ compensation system offers limited economic benefits to offset the harsh realities of medical bills and lost wages in the wake of a workplace accident.
Medical Expenses
Your employer’s insurance company has to cover all necessary and reasonable costs of medical treatment related to your workplace injury.
Medical bills that are often covered include:
- Emergency room care
- Hospitalization
- Diagnostic tests and labs
- Bloodwork
- Medication
- Surgery
- Medical devices and equipment
- Outpatient therapy
- Follow-up treatment
- Specialist referrals
- Chiropractic care
- Dental care
The catch is that you have to receive treatment from a healthcare provider who’s been approved by the insurance company. So, it can limit your ability to choose your own doctor or control aspects of your medical care. Therapies that are deemed to be “alternative” typically aren’t covered by workers’ compensation.
Temporary Total Disability
Temporary Total Disability benefits are available when your injury prevents you from returning to your job in any capacity for a limited amount of time while you recover. Benefits can equal up to two-thirds of your average weekly wage, but are capped at $1,380.00 per week by the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
You can receive TTD benefits for 500 weeks or until you achieve maximum medical improvement (MMI), whichever happens first.
Temporary Partial Disability
You can receive Temporary Partial Disability if you can return to work in a limited capacity for reduced pay. TPD aims to bridge the gap between your pre- and post-injury income by paying two-thirds of the difference.
Permanent Partial Disability
If you reach MMI but are still permanently impaired in some capacity, you can potentially receive Permanent Partial Disability benefits. PPD compensation is calculated using your AWW, your level of impairment as assigned by a healthcare provider, and a schedule of benefits set forth in N.C.G.S. 97-31.
Permanent Total Disability
Permanent Total Disability benefits are awarded in the rare case that a worker’s injuries prevent them from returning to meaningful and gainful employment ever again. Benefits are essentially an extension of TTD.
Rehabilitation Benefits
If you can’t return to your specific position but can work in another capacity, workers’ compensation insurance can cover job training and rehabilitation costs.
Death Benefits
If someone is killed in a workplace accident or dies because of an occupational disease, the surviving spouse and/or children may qualify for death benefits, including funeral expenses and lost wage support.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney in North Carolina?
You’ve just been injured so badly that you can’t return to work. Your income and finances have taken a hit. You don’t need to stress about the cost of asking for help. Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers offers contingent representation for injured workers.
This means that our workers’ compensation lawyers in North Carolina only get paid when we win. Our fees come out of any benefits we recover on your behalf, often ranging between 20 and 35 percent.
How Long Do I Have To Request Workers’ Compensation Benefits After I Get Hurt on the Job in North Carolina?
Pursuant to North Carolina law, you have 30 days to tell your employer that you’ve suffered a work-related injury. Then, as long as notice is given, you’ll have two years from the date you were injured or diagnosed to file a formal claim for workers’ compensation benefits.
You’ll forfeit your right to request workers’ compensation benefits through your employer if your claim is not filed on time.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Don’t deal with the unexpected costs of a workplace accident or injury in North Carolina on your own. Instead, call Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers and let us help you assert your legal right to demand compensation for your medical bills and lost wages.
Our North Carolina workers’ compensation lawyers are respected and successful advocates who share 190 years of experience litigating high-stakes legal claims. We can offer the skills, strategies, and passion needed to help you maximize your workers’ compensation benefits package, too. All you have to do is call and ask for our help.
Your first consultation is free. Contact our team to begin.
We can consult with you via phone, email or text. We have bilingual translators on staff to assist our Spanish-speaking clients, as well.
If you would prefer to meet in-person, we have convenient office locations throughout the state, including in Raleigh, Goldsboro, and Jacksonville. In-person consultations are also available by appointment only at our office space in Garner, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Durham, Fayetteville, Greenville and Kinston.