Why You Need a Skilled Attorney for the Charlotte Workers Compensation Claims Process
If you’ve suffered a workplace injury or occupational illness in Charlotte, North Carolina, you may be entitled to workers compensation benefits through your employer’s workers compensation insurance. These benefits can help with medical expenses, lost wages, and recovery support.
The Charlotte workers compensation claims process can be complicated, especially when you’re trying to seek medical treatment and focus on healing. Missing deadlines or documentation—like medical records or written notice—can jeopardize your claim.
That’s why it’s important to work with a skilled attorney who has extensive experience handling workers compensation claims. A knowledgeable Charlotte workers’ compensation lawyer can help you file your workers comp claim, communicate with the insurance company, and guide you through the claims process, including the appeals process if needed.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that provides benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or develop an occupational illness. In North Carolina, most employers are required by law to carry workers compensation insurance to cover the cost of medical treatment, partial lost wages, and other necessary support during an employee’s recovery.
If you’ve been injured on the job in Charlotte, you may be eligible to file a workers comp claim. This claim initiates the workers compensation claims process, which can include reporting the injury to your employer, receiving approved medical treatment, and submitting documentation to both the insurance company and the NC Industrial Commission.
Understanding your rights under North Carolina law is essential, especially when dealing with the complexities of handling workers compensation claims. Whether you’re navigating the process for the first time or dealing with challenges like denied compensation claims, a clear understanding of the system can make a significant difference in securing the workers compensation benefits you deserve.
Why Choose 1Charlotte for Your Workers’ Compensation Case?
At 1Charlotte, our experienced attorneys specialize in handling workers’ compensation claims and helping clients receive benefits for workplace injuries. We guide clients through every step of the workers’ comp claims process, ensuring that all required paperwork is completed, deadlines are met, and the insurance company is held accountable.
We also assist clients with securing vocational rehabilitation if they cannot return to their previous job, arranging for light duty assignments, and ensuring that their employer reports their employee’s injury accurately. Our goal is to help injured employees get the medical treatment and compensation they deserve.
The Workers Compensation Claims Process in Charlotte, NC
Filing a workers comp claim in Charlotte involves several key steps that must be followed closely to ensure your workers compensation benefits aren’t delayed or denied. Here’s a breakdown of how the claims process typically works under North Carolina law:
Report Your Injury
As soon as you suffer a workplace injury or begin experiencing symptoms of an occupational illness, notify your employer immediately. You must provide written notice of the incident within thirty days to start the workers compensation claims process.
Seek Medical Treatment
You’ll need to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Your employer or their insurance company may direct you to an approved healthcare provider. All medical records and medical expenses should be documented, as they play a vital role in your claim.
File Form 18 with the NC Industrial Commission
To officially file your claim, you must complete and submit Form 18 to the NC Industrial Commission. This form alerts the state and helps initiate the formal workers comp claim process.
Insurance Company Review
The insurance company will review your claim, including medical documentation and employment details. They’ll determine whether to approve or deny your workers compensation claim based on the evidence provided.
Receiving Benefits
If approved, you may begin receiving workers compensation benefits, such as coverage for medical expenses and compensation for lost wages. The type and amount of benefits will depend on your injury and ability to return to your job.
Appeals Process (if denied)
If your claim is denied, you have the right to enter the appeals process. This may involve mediation, hearings before the NC Industrial Commission, and presenting further evidence. Having a skilled attorney during this stage can significantly improve your chances of success.
How Can I Know if My Injury Will Be Covered By a Workers’ Comp Claim?
When an employee is injured on the job or develops an occupational illness, it’s considered a workers’ comp injury and is covered by the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy.
Most of the injuries that occur while you perform your duty are covered by workers’ comp insurance including illnesses and accidents that are caused by exposure to work activities, equipment, and materials.
Here are some of the most common work-related injuries that are typically covered by workers’ comp insurance:
- Amputations that occur in factory and industrial settings
- Hearing loss or eye injuries
- Slip, fall, and trip injuries
- Burns, electrocutions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Knee, back, and shoulder injuries
- Mesothelioma from asbestos exposure
- Injury due to defective or dangerous tools and machinery
- Severe pulmonary conditions like asthma
Time plays an important role in filing a workers’ comp claim. The employee has a limited number of days to report the accident and start the Charlotte workers’ compensation claims process to collect compensation for his or her injuries.
The employee should report the injury or illness to the employer or his/her representative as soon as it occurs.
If you delay filing the Charlotte workers’ compensation claims process, the insurance company can deny your claim. Workers’ comp insurance usually doesn’t cover:
- Injuries caused due to fighting
- Self-inflicted injuries
- Stress and other psychiatric disorders
- Injuries that occur while committing a crime or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Injuries that occur while violating company policies
Your worker’s compensation lawyer is the best person to evaluate your claim and advise whether your injuries are covered under workers’ comp insurance.
Time Limits for Filing a Charlotte Workers Compensation Claim
Under North Carolina law, injured employees must file a workers comp claim within two years of the date of their workplace injury or diagnosis of an occupational illness. This statute of limitations exists to help ensure that evidence remains available and that witnesses can provide accurate accounts.
Failing to file within this two-year window will likely result in a permanent loss of your right to pursue workers compensation benefits. Once the deadline passes, you may no longer be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, or other related benefits, no matter how valid your claim may be.
Acting quickly—and with the guidance of a skilled attorney—can help protect your rights and strengthen your position throughout the claims process.
How To Begin The Charlotte Workers’ Compensation Claims Process in North Carolina?
When you are injured on the job, you should notify the employer or their representative about your injuries as soon as possible and file a workers’ comp claim with the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
Don’t rely on your employer to do the work for you. In fact, there are time limits in NC when it comes to notifying the employer about your injuries and filing a workers’ comp claim.
The claim should be filed within two years of the date of injury or the date of the last payment for medical treatment if the employer has provided medical treatment.
Written notice about the accident should be given to the employer as soon as possible or within thirty days of the date of the accident. You should complete Form 18 and file your claim with the NC Industrial Commission.
After you have filed the claim, the employer or his/her insurance company should either accept the claim or deny the claim.
Contact 1Charlotte Injury Lawyer on Your Workers’ Comp Claims Process
When you are injured on the job in Charlotte NC, you are entitled to claim compensation for your damages from the workers’ comp insurance cover of the employer. You need to hire the best workers’ comp lawyer in Charlotte, North Carolina to file your claim.
Call 1Charlotte at (704) 706-2689 today to guide you through the steps of the workers’ comp claim process in Charlotte NC.
