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If you were injured on the job, you deserve compensation for your medical bills and lost wages. However, applying for workers’ compensation benefits is not always straightforward. You must provide accurate information and meet specific reporting and filing deadlines – and even then, some applicants receive unfair claim denials.
Whether you are applying for the first time or seeking an appeal for a benefit denial, a Shelby workers’ compensation lawyer can help you navigate the process. We’ll review your case for free today. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with our North Carolina workers’ compensation lawyer team.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a form of no-fault insurance that North Carolina law requires most employers to carry. This gives their employees benefits if they are injured or suffer an illness while working. If you experience an injury or illness that affects your ability to work, you could be entitled to various benefits.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
The benefits and types of available compensation in workers’ compensation claims could include but are not limited to the following:
- Medical expenses: Injuries can lead to expensive medical bills, prescriptions, ongoing treatments, and more. If your injury took place on the job, your medical expenses could be covered through a workers’ compensation claim.
- Lost wages: One common way in which workers’ compensation insurance kicks in is to help cover your wages while you are unable to work. While some workplace injuries are minor, others can be more severe and even debilitating. If you were left with a disability, you could qualify for an extended period – or forever.
- Wrongful death compensation: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated that in 2019 alone, over 5,000 workplace fatalities occurred. If you lost a loved one in a job-related accident, your family could collect workers’ compensation benefits for their untimely passing.
Because every case is unique, a workers’ compensation lawyer in the Shelby region can help you determine the type and amount of benefits you may qualify to receive.
On-the-Job Injuries That Can Lead to Workers’ Compensation Claims
While some jobs are more dangerous than others, the reality is that every type of employment comes with risk. Workplace injuries and accidents that lead to workers’ compensation claims could include:
- Vehicle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Accidents caused by improper training
- Machinery malfunctions or accidents
- Falling objects
- Exposure to dangerous chemicals or substances
- Contracting a serious or contagious illness
Regardless of how your accident, injury, or illness occurred, you have rights as an employee. Unfortunately, in some cases, your employer could try to put up resistance against you getting the compensation you deserve.
Eligibility for Workers’ Compensation in Shelby, NC
In short, if your employer was carrying workers’ compensation insurance and you were injured or fell ill at work, you could be eligible for compensation.
Because workers’ compensation claims must be work-related, some events do not qualify. For example, if you were injured on your way to work or while returning home after work, your incident may not be covered.
Workers’ Compensation Disputes
Sometimes on-the-job injuries are straightforward, but the circumstances can cause disputes between a claimant and employer in other cases. Many workers’ compensation disputes occur because of the gray area regarding whether or not certain activities were work-related. If you think you deserve compensation, but your employer disagrees, a workers’ compensation lawyer can advocate for you.
Why Would an Employer Dispute My Claim?
Employers could dispute workers’ compensation claims for a variety of reasons. Even though companies purchase this coverage to support injured employees, it is still in their best interest to have you productive and back at work as soon as possible. Some possible reasons for your employer contesting your right to benefits include:
- Lack of evidence of how an accident occurred, or that an illness originated at work
- Lack of witnesses to an injury
- Failure to obtain medical documentation or proof of injury
- Failure to report a return to work notice from a medical provider
- Conflicting information on a workers’ compensation claim
It is important to have your facts and information in line to avoid these types of disputes. As an injured or ill employee, you have the right to make a full recovery as directed by medical professionals before returning to work. While your employer should honor this right, it could be helpful to seek legal counsel if you are in the middle of a dispute.
Retribution
If you returned to work after a workers’ compensation claim and found yourself punished in any way, this could be an act of retribution. If you lost your job or experienced any other type of unfair treatment because of your claim, your employer could be in breach of the law.
It is illegal for employers to act with retribution just because you filed a claim. If you are being treated unfairly, you could have grounds to take legal action.
Hiring a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer to Fight for Coverage
If you find yourself in the middle of a workers’ compensation dispute or are having issues recovering compensation following an injury at work in Shelby, our firm can help. When you hire an attorney from our team, they will:
- Answer questions you have about the claims process or your case
- Help you fill out time-sensitive paperwork so you can stay focused on your recovery
- Ensure that your case stays on track and everything is filed in a timely manner without missing any deadlines
- Offer general support as you go through the claims process
- Help you plan for your future by managing your expectations of available compensation
- Prepare and file your appeal, should you receive a claim denial
- Represent you in all case proceedings
Our workers’ compensation team is available to discuss the best course of action in your case today.
Contact Us to Discuss Your Workers’ Compensation Case for Free
If you are seeking workers’ compensation benefits in Shelby, NC, or the surrounding area, Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC is here to help. For a free, no-obligation consultation with a team member, call (828) 286-3866 today.
