Call Us 919-240-4054Rule: 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. […]
Workers' Compensation
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” […]
Missing workers’ comp checks for state workers
As WTVD 11 has reported, state employees around North Carolina have not been receiving their workers’ compensation checks. On July 1 North Carolina transferred its workers’ compensation administration away from CorVel to Sedgwick. The change did not go smoothly. Hundreds of school employees have not received weekly compensation since July 1. This delay has continued despite […]
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 […]
NC Senate Bill 205 is bad for workers
A trucker once said, “Everything in your house came on a truck – including the house.” North Carolinians rely on men and women who carry the goods that we need and want. They work long hours and suffer serious accidents at an alarming rate. Workers’ compensation covers truck drivers when they are injured in the […]
Valerie Johnson honored by the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
Johnson & Groninger attorney Valerie Johnson was inducted into the American Bar Association College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at its 9th Annual Induction Dinner, held in Naples, Florida in March. Valerie’s practice focuses heavily on representing North Carolina workers and their rights. She has a particular interest in fighting for the rights of injured workers, and […]
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 […]
Doctors and workers’ comp
When you have a workers’ comp injury, nothing is more important than your recovery. And nothing can help – or hinder – your journey back to good health more than your medical treatment. How do you get to the best doctor for your condition? North Carolina workers’ compensation law gives the insurance company the responsibility […]
