Call Us 919-240-4054If you make a claim about a work injury and you can work, you must work. If you don’t have work to do at your current job, you must look for work. This rule is confusing for injured employees. They often ask, “Why do I have to look for work?” “What kind of work do I have […]
Work Injury
Will my health insurance stop when I am out on workers’ comp?
Kevin* hurt his back lifting boxes at work and couldn’t do his job as a maintenance supervisor. He was concerned about losing his income and getting good treatment for his back. But Kevin was also concerned about keeping his health insurance. He has diabetes and high blood pressure, and his yearly medical exam is coming […]
Can I be fired for filing a workers’ comp claim?
You got hurt at work and need medical treatment. You are stressed and worried that you are going to be out of work. You need your wages to support yourself and your family. hen it crosses your mind, “Can my boss fire me for filing a workers’ compensation claim?” The answer is no. You can’t be fired […]
How do I get paid for the time out of work after I got hurt?
When you are hurt at work the first problem you may face is getting prompt and effective medical treatment for your injury. The second problem is getting paid for your time out of work. Payment for lost wages when you can’t work should begin 14 days after your job has notice of your injury. North Carolina law […]
Failing to get medical treatment the right way
Rule: The insurance company picks the medical provider. The injured worker can request a change in treatment. When you need a doctor, of course you choose to go to the one you know and trust. But when you have a workers’ comp claim and the insurance company is paying for your medical treatment that is not the rule. […]
What does “injury by accident” mean?
An injury by accident is an unusual event that interrupts normal work. The word “accident” is defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance.” That definition makes sense: you don’t have an accident unless something out of the ordinary happens. When you apply that definition to workers’ comp in North Carolina, there isn’t an “accident” […]
Understanding workers’ comp: part 5
The rule explained in “Understanding workers’ comp: part 1” is clear — to have a covered injury a worker must have had an injury by accident — also has notable exceptions. But back injuries without a clear accidental cause, many specific occupational diseases, and other work-related conditions can also be covered under workers’ compensation. Each of […]
Are North Carolina workplace deaths really down?
Recently the North Carolina Department of Labor reported, and it was noted in the press, that workplace fatalities in the state had declined to an all-time low of 23 during the year 2013. However, the low numbers may be more from a change in the way the Department of Labor counts the deaths, and not […]
TOP 10 TIPS FOR WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS IN NORTH CAROLINA
The first and most important lesson when handling a workers’ compensation claim is to report injuries when they happen.
Injured at work and fired
William called with a painful situation: he fell at work and hurt his back, and his employer fired him once the doctor said he would need surgery. William had no money coming in and now he couldn’t work at all. He wanted answers right away. If you are injured at work and terminated from your […]