The workers’ comp system in North Carolina provides benefits to company employees who have been injured or ill as a result of their jobs.
If you have been injured on the job or have developed a work-related illness, you may be entitled to receive these benefits plus compensation for your injury. What steps do you need to take to file a claim?
Hiring a lawyer may be your wisest move if you need to deal with workers compensation NC. Attorneys in this specialty of law can help you maneuver the legal proceedings associated with these types of cases. Here is a guide to filing a workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina:
Step 1) Get Yourself Medical Attention
It’s really urgent that you seek medical care for your injuries first. Even if they seem minor, it’s better to have a professional team check you out to be sure. You need to know how you’re injured so you can heal. This also creates a record of your injuries, which is exceedingly imperative when filing a workers’ compensation claim. Be sure to inform the medical team that your injury is work-related so they can document your case correctly.
Step 2) Notify Your Employer of the Incident
You have 30 days from the incident date to give your employer notice of the incident. However, doing this before this time frame is recommended to allow your case to get started. If you’re unsure how to approach your employer, consider having an attorney by your side to notify you. Notification should include the date, time, and place of the injury or notice of illness, as well as a description of how the incident occurred.
Step 3) Consider Hiring a Lawyer for Workers Compensation NC
Many questions and concerns can arise when dealing with a workers comp claim in North Carolina. Plus, the language of the legal system can be hard to understand, so hiring a lawyer for your claim case is smart. An attorney can help you file documents necessary for your claim, like Form 18, as well as gather evidence of your accident to build a case. They will also negotiate for a settlement on your behalf, take your case to trial if a settlement can’t be reached, and file an appeal if needed.
Step 4) Wait for a Response and Continue to Document Your Injury
After you and your attorney have filed a Form 18, your employer’s insurance company will have 30 days to respond to your claim. They might outright accept your claim, deny it, or request additional information. If your workers’ comp claim is accepted in North Carolina, you will begin to receive your workers’ comp benefits. If it gets denied, you have the right to appeal the decision.
In Conclusion
Filing workers compensation NC requires several steps that are best done with the help of a lawyer. Your attorney will work diligently on your case, assuring you have the strongest argument to win your claim. By taking the advice in this guide, you can secure the maximum benefits and compensation you deserve under North Carolina law.