To qualify for workers’ comp in North Carolina, the following two conditions must be true in your case:

1. You sustained an injury at work (or while performing a job-related task outside work premises)
2. You lost money because of your accident – for example, through medical bills, missed days at work, or loss of future employability

You don’t need to prove that the accident occured due to your employer’s fault or carelessness to collect workers’ comp. To start the workers’ comp claim process, you simply need to report the incident to your employer or direct supervisor, both verbally and through an official written statement. Your North Carolina workers’ compensation attorney can guide you during this process to avoid missteps.

Keep copies of your employee-employer communications, your post-accident medical records, and any other evidence of the incident. This information may play an important role in your claim. Keep your attorney abreast of any new communications with your employer that are related to the industrial accident or your related injuries.

North Carolina’s workers’ comp system typically covers:

• Medical expenses, including hospitalization costs, prescription meds, visits to a healthcare provider, assistive devices, rehabilitation costs, and more
• Temporary disability benefits until the worker has reached their MMI (maximum medical improvement)
• Permanent disability benefits based on the worker’s permanent impairment rating
• Death benefits for family members who lost loved ones in an industrial accident, based on the degree of the survivor’s dependence on the deceased, plus up to $10,000 in burial expenses

Workers’ comp cases in North Carolina go through the North Carolina Industrial Commission, and benefits are more controlled than in a personal injury case. For example, you cannot receive additional compensation for your pain and suffering through workers’ compensation, and your weekly benefits will be limited to two-thirds of your income prior to the injury if you are not able to return to work.

While workers’ comp may seem like a fairly straightforward system, it is important to accurately identify the proper amount you should claim for your benefits, and an experienced North Carolina industrial accident lawyer will be able to assist you with these calculations and related processes and communications.

Many workers’ compensation insurance companies and other insurance providers will use any loophole to negatively affect your ability to recover compensation. Your attorney can assist you in navigating these issues and protect your claim by also handling insurance company communications on your behalf throughout your case.