Understanding Worker’s Compensation In Charlotte, N.C.

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Charlotte workers who have been injured at work may be eligible to receive medical benefits and lost wage compensation under North Carolinas workers’ compensation. Workers compensation eliminates the need for workers who suffer an injury at work to file a personal injury lawsuit to receive compensation for their work injury. North Carolina employers, without accepting liability or claiming negligence, avoid an expensive protracted lawsuit by paying the injured employee limited monetary benefits.
Not all work injuries are covered by workman’s compensation. Work injuries which are covered must have occurred while the employee was engaged in their regular job duties and while performing them in the required manner. Work injuries which are the result of drug or alcohol intoxication or horseplay are not covered. Work injuries which occur while travelling to and from work or during voluntary, recreational work activities also may not be covered.
There are a variety of work injuries or occupational diseases which are covered by workers comp insurance. Some of the most common are:
- Back and neck injuries
- Abrasions and burns
- Amputations of arms or legs
- Concussions
- Heart attack or strokes on the job
- Carpel Tunnel
- Diseases caused by inhalation of chemicals or other toxins
Charlotte Workers Compensation Benefits
- Medical Benefits – Charlotte workers who sustain an injury at work are entitled to medical benefits. The Charlotte employer is responsible for paying all medical costs which can include: doctor’s bills, surgical costs, medications and rehabilitation services.
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services- If a Charlotte worker sustains an injury at work and is unable to return to their job, they may receive certain types of vocational rehabilitation services which can help them find another job which they can do given their current work capabilities.
- Temporary Total or Temporary Partial Disability Benefits – Temporary total disability payments can be awarded if the injured employee is unable to work at all for a specific period of time. Work injury compensation for total disability payments is 66 2/3% of the workers average weekly earnings. There is a minimum and maximum allowed under North Carolina’s workers compensation law. If an employee is allowed to return to their job, but because of their disability, they are on restricted duty, workers compensation may award temporary partial benefits.
- Permanent or partial disability – If a work injury causes a permanent disability or if the worker loses the function of a specific body part, work injury compensation is paid according to a schedule as outlined by North Carolina’s workers compensation law. If the work injury causes severe disfigurement to the face, head or damage to vital organs the worker may receive additional work injury compensation.
- Death Benefits – Dependents of a Charlotte worker who dies from a work injury or occupational disease may be eligible to receive workman’s compensation for death benefits which equals 66 2/3% of the workers average weekly wage. Benefits are generally paid for 400 weeks, but for spouses (meeting certain requirements) they may be paid until death or remarriage and for minor children they may be paid until the child reaches age 18. Funeral benefits are also allowed up to $2,000.
Do I Need a Charlotte Worker’s Compensation Attorney?
Charlotte workers who suffer an injury at work have the choice of filing their workers compensation claim themselves or hiring a worker comp attorney to help. Unfortunately, Charlotte employers, who may be more focused on company costs and less on the worker’s welfare, will have their own work injury lawyers helping them.
Charlotte workers who have suffered discrimination or harassment due to the work injury or who have been injured by a third party may want to contact a worker’s compensation lawyer.









