Your rights and legal obligations in a workplace injury claim
If you were injured on the job, your employer is required by law to cover your medical treatment and lost wages. However, there are certain steps you must take when filing a workers' compensation claim to satisfy the law and to preserve your rights.
The first step is to report the accident or injury to your employer. The most important step after that is to contact an attorney. At Greg Jones Law, we encourage you to consult our work injury lawyer before filing your claim. We can identify any potential problems and make sure that you receive all of your entitled benefits. If there is any problem with your claim or pushback from your employer, we will be ready to advocate fiercely for you.
Attorney Cameron Simmons is a North Carolina board-certified specialist in workers' compensation law. Contact our Wilmington or Charlotte, North Carolina, offices for a free initial consultation.
Filing requirements for North Carolina workers' compensation
By state law, employers must carry workers' compensation insurance. This provides free medical care and wage benefits without regard to fault. To maximize your benefits and minimize the legal hassles, you should:
- Report the accident or injury to your supervisor or employer at the earliest opportunity. Any delay opens the door for your employer to claim that the injury is not work-related. Your employer should provide a Form 18 (Notice of Accident to Employer and Claim of Employee, Representative or Dependent for NC Workers' Compensation Benefits).
- Seek medical treatment promptly even if you believe your injuries are minor. Waiting several days to get treated could create doubt that your injury is serious. Under North Carolina workers' comp law, you must treat with your employer's preferred doctors.
- File your claim with the North Carolina Industrial Commission. You will need to be specific about the details of the accident and your medical care. Our legal team will help you properly prepare your claim to reduce the chances that it will be denied or delayed, and to ensure that you get the proper level of benefits and proper medical care. A claim should be filed within 30 days of the injury.
Board-certified workers' compensation lawyer
Cameron Simmons is not only board-certified in workers' compensation, but formerly worked in insurance defense. Having negotiated and tried workers' comp claims on behalf of workers and on behalf of employers/insurers, he is uniquely qualified to look out for your interests in claims, hearings and appeals.
Greg Jones Law provides aggressive representation but treats clients with respect and confidentiality. We answer your questions and keep you informed. Contact us for a free initial consultation to discuss filing requirements with our workers' compensation filing requirements lawyers. Our firm takes workers' compensation cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning if we do not recover on your behalf, there is no fee.
