Call Us NowHelping Injured Employees Seek Compensation
Getting injured on the job can be a stressful experience. If your injury no longer allows you to perform your job duties, paying your essential expenses plus your medical bills might seem like a challenge. Fortunately, most injured workers qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits can help pay a portion of your wages plus your medical expenses while you are unable to work.
If you are hurt and need to file a workers’ compensation claim, hiring a team of Carthage or Asheboro workers’ compensation attorneys is the best way to ensure your claim is approved. The compensation process can be complex, especially when you are recovering from your injuries. A workers’ compensation lawyer on our team will walk you through the process every step of the way. For more information, call Rowland & Yauger, Attorneys & Counselors at Law at 910-621-2991 (Carthage) or 336-537-5547 (Asheboro).
How Does Workers’ Compensation Work in North Carolina?
Workers’ compensation provides coverage for any employees who are injured on the job. Injured workers can apply for benefits to pay for a portion of their lost wages while they are unable to work. These benefits also cover any medical treatment you may need while recovering from your injuries.
Workers’ compensation benefits are provided by your employer’s insurance company. You must make a claim through their insurance company to start receiving payments.
Unfortunately, insurance companies are often hesitant to approve a workers’ compensation claim. Insurance companies make more of a profit when they can deny insurance claims, even if they are legitimate. Working with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney is the best way to get your claim approved, as we understand exactly what the insurance company needs to hear in order to grant you benefits.
Who is Eligible for a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
In most cases, if you are hurt on the job, then you qualify for a workers’ compensation claim. Even if the accident that caused the injury was your fault, you could still qualify for payments.
To qualify for workers’s compensation benefits in North Carolina, the following must be true:
- You were injured while working
- Your injury happened because of the work you were doing
- Your injury was caused by an accident or a specific incident
- Your employer has three or more employees
Anyone can be injured on the job. Even those who work office jobs could slip and fall or strain their back while carrying something heavy. Jobs like construction and factory work are often thought of as the only jobs that can cause injuries, but that is not the case.
What Are the Most Common Types of Claims?
If you would like to recover workers’ compensation benefits, it is helpful to understand some of the most common claims. Your specific claim will depend on the nature of your job and your injury.
Many injured workers are injured in the following ways:
- Construction workers filing claims for physical injuries due to the many hazards of a construction site
- Healthcare workers filing claims for injuries due to exposure to hazardous substances
- Workers filing claims against a third party for injuries caused by someone else while doing their job (in many cases, this is due to a car accident)
Our team of personal injury attorneys will evaluate your injuries and your compensation claim to help you recover the benefits you deserve.
What Are the Most Common Injuries?
There are many injuries you could sustain while working in any type of job setting. Your injury or injuries must be sustained while on the job, and they must be related to a required work activity.
The most common injuries workers sustain include:
- Back injuries
- Knee injuries
- Eye injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Wrist injuries
Any one of these injuries could become debilitating and cause you to be unable to do your job. In some cases, these minor injuries can lead to a permanent disability, costing you and your family thousands in medical treatment bills.
What Are the Leading Causes of Workplace Injuries?
The cause of your workplace injuries will depend on the nature and setting of your job. However, there are some common causes of workplace injuries that our lawyers see often.
Many workplace injuries are caused by the following:
- Falls, especially from a great height
- Occupational disease caused by toxic hazards or repetitive strains
- Overexertion
- Contact with projects and equipment, especially electrocution
How Do You Apply for Workers’ Compensation?
In North Carolina, you must follow a specific application process to receive workers’ compensation. A workers’ compensation lawyer on our team can walk you through each step.
To apply for benefits, take the following steps:
- Notify your supervisor of your injury. You have 30 days to notify your employer, but sooner is always better. If you delay reporting your injury, your claim may be denied.
- Seek medical treatment for your injury. This creates a record of your injury, ensuring you are safe and not injuring yourself further.
- File a written claim with the insurance company. You have two years from the date of the injury to do so.
- Contact our team of attorneys as soon as possible.
Should You Consult a Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
Workers’ compensation is an excellent resource for injured workers. Making a workers’ compensation claim can be complex, and missing a step or filing incorrectly could lead to your claim being denied. Our team of Carthage and Asheboro workers’ compensation lawyers will walk you through every step of the process, dramatically increasing your chances of success.
Please don’t feel like you must navigate these circumstances on your own. Contact Rowland & Yauger Attorneys & Counselors at Law by calling 910-621-2991 (Carthage) or 336-537-5547 (Asheboro) today.