Workers Compensation in Fayetteville, NC
You aren’t alone if you wonder how workers’ compensation works.
Workers’ compensation is insurance that provides wage and medical benefits to people who have become ill or injured while at work. How far this coverage goes depends on North Carolina state law.
If your injury or illness is eligible for compensation, the insurance carrier should help ease the financial burden.
Learn some of the basic principles of North Carolina workers’ compensation insurance and how the process works.
Workers Compensation Statistics in Fayetteville, North Carolina?
According to Business Journal, a construction boom began in North Carolina in late 2007 and continues to today. In 2019 there were over 200,000 construction jobs in the state, and the trend shows very little signs of slowing. With this in mind, it is no surprise that the most common workplace injuries deal with accidents on construction sites, such as falling objects, improper lifting, or the use of heavy equipment. As well, auto accidents while transporting materials create a significant number of on-the-job injuries. Hazardous conditions and improper ladder use also contribute to falls on job sites. If you have been injured in a work-related incident, even if you are at fault, you are entitled to compensation.
How Does Workers Comp Work in Fayetteville, North Carolina?
Unfortunately, going through the process of applying for workers’ compensation begins with getting sick or injured on the job. The circumstances surrounding the incident that led to your problems are especially crucial. For example, the injury had to occur during your regular work duties. While an event that happens during your lunch break wouldn’t apply, getting into a car accident while running an errand for your boss would qualify for a claim.
Every business in Fayetteville with more than 3 employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance. This is according to information provided by the North Carolina Office of Human Resources. If you’ve been harmed on the job or developed a work-related medical issue, medical benefits that cover rehabilitation and even vocational retraining if you can’t return to your previous job. Mental health is also covered in North Carolina, but conditionally. To receive coverage, you must prove that the work-related accident caused the condition, or exacerbated a previous bout of depression or anxiety.
For example, say your supervisor asked you to drop something off on your lunch break. While running this errand you then get in a car accident on your way to the destination. Any resulting injury is eligible for workers’ compensation. However, if you are on your lunch break, performing no such task when you get in an accident, it does not qualify for a claim.
The steps you take immediately following a workplace incident in North Carolina are critical for filing a claim. Follow the following steps to preserve your rights and learn how workers comp works.
Get Medical Attention
After you get injured or feel ill, the first step is to see a doctor. Don’t delay receiving help from a North Carolina healthcare professional. Taking too long could not only jeopardize your health, but you run the risk of missing deadlines.
Even if you believe your injury is minor, get a proper medical report detailing the extent of the damage and how it occurred. This step is the top priority in the workers’ compensation claim process. Otherwise, your employer cannot file a claim with the insurance carrier.
You may have regular checkups and testing for weeks or months before a doctor finally connects your illness with your job. Your medical records will become the foundation from which the workers’ comp carrier will launch its investigation.
Generally, your doctor determines if the illness happened because of your work conditions or became aggravated by them. Once they do, see your human resources representative to file a workers’ compensation claim.
File a First Report of Injury
Once you have a medical diagnosis relating your illness or injury to your job, you must file a claim with your employer.
Fayetteville workers should try to stay up to date with the regulations regarding workers’ compensation, and the forms of compensation to which they are entitled. Guidelines provided by the North Carolina Industrial Commission offer advice on how to proceed after a workplace injury. You should file a report promptly with your supervisor or superior. Should any disputes arise as to where the injury took place, this initial report will establish a timeline and location of events. However, if the injury is severe, you should seek medical treatment immediately and file your report once you receive treatment. This prevents your injury from worsening into something even more serious. It also helps to request a copy of the doctor’s report for your files.
Timeline and Other Information
In Fayetteville, employers are required to submit workers’ compensation claims to their insurance company within five days of an employee’s reported injury or absence from work. Once submitted, the insurer has 14 working days to either approve or reject the claim. Temporary disability benefits can last up to 700 weeks, while permanent disability may allow for lifelong benefits.
Employers must also provide employees with details about the claims process. During the investigation, the insurance adjuster may reach out to discuss the incident and speak with any witnesses. Meanwhile, the insurer may start covering medical expenses even as they review the claim for final approval.
Why You Should Hire a Fayetteville, North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
While workers’ compensation claims may be straightforward for some cases in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in others, it may be more difficult. For example, your employer may decide to question whether you were hurt on the clock or on your own time. It’s also common for a company to question the full extent of your injury. Hiring a Fayettevilleworkers’ comp lawyer ensures that you have an advocate to fight for your rights as a victim.
Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Fayetteville, North Carolina
If you are hurt or contract an illness as a result of your job in Fayetteville, North Carolina you need to find the right people to help. Since the workers’ compensation claims process can have pitfalls, you should consider getting a local attorney who knows how to avoid them.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
If you would like to do more research, we can tell you about the basics of other areas of Fayetteville, NC law.
