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If you were injured at work, you have the right to receive workers’ compensation coverage in most cases. This coverage comes from the insurance provider your employer has chosen. However, there are times when injured workers do not receive the support they deserve.
Retaining a Kings Mountain workers’ compensation lawyer from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, will help you seek the compensation you deserve so you can move on with your life. If you want to learn more about North Carolina workers’ compensation law, you can review the Workers’ Compensation Act and reach out for a free consultation with our team.
What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?
Workers’ compensation insurance can cover treatment for your injuries on the job and lost wages because of those injuries. When you qualify for wage replacement benefits, you can recover up to 66 2/3 percent of your weekly income for the time you are unable to work. These benefits may come as:
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
- Permanent Disability (PD)
However, this coverage cannot begin until your employer files a claim. If necessary, our legal team can reach out to your employer to learn if an insurance claim has been properly filed.
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim
To apply for workers’ compensation benefits, you must first reach out to your supervisor and let them know you suffered an injury and need to seek treatment. The North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) outlines the next steps you need to take:
- Seek medical attention from an approved healthcare provider. Let them know the injury is work-related so they can bill the correct insurer.
- Give written notice to your employer about the injury within 30 days, who can then file an insurance claim.
- Submit the form to request workers’ compensation. You have two years to submit Form 18 to the Industrial Commission.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions for recovery.
Are Employers Allowed to Deny Workers’ Compensation Claims?
Your employer is required to submit a report of your accident to the insurance company, and the insurance company determines how it will pay out benefits. However, some employers attempt to contest an employee’s injuries, suggesting that:
- The injuries occurred outside of work or were unrelated to the job.
- The employee acted negligently, causing their own injuries. Examples include being drunk on the job or fighting with a coworker.
If your employer has told you not to report accidents or injuries or refuses to initiate a claim on your behalf, you can reach out to our legal team for support. We have the resources to fight for your right to benefits.
How Do Insurance Companies Pay Workers’ Compensation Claims?
Doctor’s offices file claims to the insurance carrier to pay for medical care, including hospital stays. The doctor’s office does not charge copays, and they should not send any out-of-pocket bills to injured workers.
Meanwhile, wage-loss payments go directly to the worker because they are not currently earning money. These benefits are calculated using North Carolina’s rules, but you may feel that you are not receiving the correct amount. If this is the case, you should seek legal representation.
Finally, insurance companies often want to see proof that you have recovered fully, can return to work, or are disabled in one way or another before continuing payments.
State Laws Concerning Workers’ Compensation
North Carolina requires employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance for work-related incidents. These benefits must include both medical benefits and wage-loss benefits. Additionally, death benefits are available to surviving family members if the worker dies during the incident or due to their injuries or illness.
Finally, you are advised to speak to our legal team if you require compensation from a defunct business. These firms are often required to create funds to pay for workers’ compensation claims, especially those that used asbestos or saw several asbestos-related workers’ compensation claims.
How Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Help Kings Mountain Victims
Our workers’ compensation lawyers provide support from the beginning of each case to the end. Our legal team will help you seek the benefits you deserve. We’ve outlined some of our services below.
We Provide Consistent Communication
Our attorneys communicate openly with our clients. You can call or email at any time. Moreover, you can share information with us or ask questions as they arise. Because this is your life and livelihood, we are happy to continue answering questions until you feel comfortable with the situation.
Our Team Will Collect Evidence to Support Your Case
If there are any issues with your claim or you receive a denial, we will investigate the facts of the case to prove your eligibility for workers’ compensation. For example, we will look into timecard records, analyze security video of the incident, and interview witnesses to corroborate your claim.
You should share any information you have, but we also want to learn more about the incident, especially when you did not see the “big picture” of what occurred. From there, we can add to your claim or file an appeal.
We Are Here to Advocate for You
Our team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, will continually support you throughout the legal process until we can reach a favorable resolution. We understand that it can take time to get the results you want.
We will continue to work with you until we have exhausted all our legal options, no matter how long it takes to come to a favorable resolution. We will attempt to negotiate a settlement where appropriate, argue your case in court, or attend hearings before the North Carolina Industrial Commission as needed.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
Call our firm at (828) 286-3866 for a free consultation. When you retain a Kings Mountain workers’ compensation lawyer from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, you get the legal support you need while healing so you can move forward with your life.
