Workers’ compensation can protect your health and finances if you suffer a workplace injury. However, obtaining necessary medical coverage and securing a fair settlement for your lost income can be a complex and challenging process. Ted A. Greve & Associates can help.
Our workers’ compensation lawyer in Hickory, NC, can guide you through every stage of the claims process, including appealing denied claims. We are here to provide you with personalized legal care and support so that you can get back on your feet. Contact us online or call today for a free consultation.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation in Hickory, NC
Workers’ compensation is a type of no-fault insurance provided by employers to their employees. It pays for medical treatment and wage-replacement benefits for workers injured on the job.
Because workers’ comp is no-fault, you do not have to prove that your employer or anyone else’s negligent actions caused your occupational injury. You will need to prove that the injury or illness is work-related, that you require medical treatment, and that you cannot perform your job while you heal.
In most cases, workers cannot sue their employer if the employer offers a workers’ compensation plan. In North Carolina, nearly all employers with more than three employees are required to have this type of insurance.
Why Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
Workers’ compensation insurance companies often do not have claimants’ best interests at heart. Insurers look out for their bottom line, which can mean putting profits over people. Additionally, sometimes employers misclassify employees as independent contractors to avoid providing workers’ comp.
Working with our firm’s personal injury lawyers gives you someone on your side who can advocate for you. We can work to prove you deserve benefits, fight to get your medical bills paid, and seek full and fair compensation for your lost wages. Our attorneys serving Hickory, NC, can:
- Gather evidence demonstrating that you are an employee, and your injury or illness is work-related
- Obtain medical records and expert medical opinions that prove you require medical treatment and cannot work while you recover
- Prepare and file your workers’ compensation insurance claim and related documents
- Aggressively negotiate with the insurance company for the maximum settlement possible
- Appeal denied workers’ comp claims and represent you throughout the appeal process
Steps to Take After a Workplace Injury
If you sustained an injury while performing your job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation, but you need to take steps to protect your claim.
Reporting Your Injury: When and How
You should verbally report your workplace injury to your employer immediately. You should then seek medical treatment from a provider authorized by your workers’ comp insurance plan. Make sure to inform the physician that your injury is work-related and that you plan to seek workers’ compensation coverage.
Once you have taken steps to safeguard your health, you must notify your employer in writing about your injury within 30 days of its occurrence, or you may be ineligible for workers’ comp benefits. Additionally, you will need to file Form 18 with the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) within two years of your injury, or your claim may be barred.
Our workers’ compensation lawyer in Hickory, NC, can ensure you file the necessary documents on time.
The Process of Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Hickory
Filing a workers’ comp claim in Hickory generally involves the following process:
- Report your injury to your employer – Make an immediate verbal report and report in writing within 30 days of your injury.
- Seek medical treatment from an authorized provider – Inform your doctor that your injury happened at work, follow their orders, attend all future appointments, and save medical bills and records.
- File Form 18 with the (NCIC) – You can do this electronically or print and file a copy via mail. Ensure you complete and file the form within two years of your work accident.
- Wait for a decision – The NCIC will make a decision in coordination with the workers’ compensation insurance company regarding your claim and notify you about the determination.
- Appeal if necessary – If you receive a claim denial, you can appeal.
Our law firm can help you through every stage of this process if you are seeking workers’ compensation in Hickory, NC.
Dealing with Claim Denials and Appeals
Appealing a denied workers’ comp claim can be challenging, but our workers’ compensation attorneys in Hickory, NC, can help. We can:
- File an appeal with the NCIC within the required deadlines
- Gather medical records and other evidence to bolster your claim
- Represent you during mediation
- Represent you during a formal workers’ compensation hearing
- Appeal unfavorable hearing results with the full NCIC
- Take action in civil court if necessary
Common Workplace Accidents and Injuries in Hickory, NC
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in a recent year, private industry employers in North Carolina reported over 68,000 non-fatal work injuries. Nearly 50,000 of these injuries were severe, requiring days off work, job restrictions, or job transfer.
The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that the top causes of workplace injuries include:
- Exposure to harmful substances and environments
- Overexertion
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Contact with objects and equipment
- Violence
- Transportation accidents, including work-related car accidents and truck accidents
- Fires and explosions
North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Benefits Explained
In addition to medical coverage, workers’ compensation provides wage replacement benefits (i.e., disability benefits) if you are unable to work for seven or more days due to injury.
Wage replacement equals two-thirds of your pre-injury weekly wage (or two-thirds of the difference between your current wage and pre-injury wage if you can work on light duty), subject to statutory caps. These benefits can last up to 500 weeks or until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI).
If you reach MMI and have a permanent or disabling injury, you may be eligible for long-term benefits. If your family member sustained a fatal work injury, qualifying survivors can receive death benefits.
Our workers’ compensation lawyer in Hickory, NC, can review your claim, explain your potential benefits, and seek the maximum compensation possible for your work injury.
Contact a Hickory Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
Ted A. Greve & Associates can help you seek the benefits you need after a workplace injury. Contact us online or call today for a free consultation and connect with our workers’ compensation lawyer in Hickory, NC.
