Getting hurt at work isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time. No one wants that – not you, not your employer. There are Workers’ Compensation laws in place to protect employees that receive occupational injuries. The way the laws work, both parties are actually protected and represented. Specific rules and requirements must be fulfilled in order for a Workers’ Compensation case to be successful. If not, rulings go in favor of the employer. Acquiring legal representation for your Workers’ Compensation case gives you the best chance of success. Accidents happen. Financial and medical consequences for an injured worker and their family can be very serious. When is it time to look into the possibility of being represented by a North Carolina Workers’ Comp lawyer that is board-certified? Let’s examine this question more closely… So You Had An Accident… When an…Read More
There is an independent contractor problem facing the Workers’ Compensation system in North Carolina today. What’s the problem? Simply put, independent contractors aren’t eligible for Workers’ Compensation coverage under North Carolina law (and pretty much across the country, for that matter). What does that mean for an independent contractor? It means that you will not be able to receive benefits if you get hurt on the job. All of your bills and medical expenses, lost wages, and pain-and-suffering, will be paid for by you. You’re on your own. Now here’s the problem: Just to make sure that workers aren’t covered by Worker’s Compensation, some full-time employees receive an independent contractor categorization from their employers. They’re putting in the same hours, doing the same work as traditional employees, but they’re not receiving the same coverage due to corporate machinations. This is…Read More
It is not uncommon for any number of blue-collar workers to be injured on the job. Many blue-collar jobs involve heavy lifting, twisting and turning, heavy machinery operation, and more. The circumstances surrounding a blue-collar job simply make them more prone to injury on a relatively frequent basis. But what about white-collar workers? How prone to injury are they? If injured, are they entitled to the same Workers’ Compensation as blue-collar workers? The answer is a resounding yes! In North Carolina, as long as no pre-existing condition contributed to the injury or pain suffered from it, and all the necessary paperwork has been filled out and filed, a white-collar worker should receive the same consideration for Workers’ Compensation. Blue-Collar Injuries Versus White-Collar Injuries Having everything to do with what kind of physical labor is involved, when people think about on-the-job…Read More
Dangerous jobs exist in every city and state. North Carolina is no exception, having their own dangerous occupations and resulting workplace injuries. Some jobs are pretty minor when it comes to dangerous situations, but may occasionally present precarious situations nonetheless. Other jobs are just downright threatening to human existence! So you can better prepare yourself and see to your own safety, we’re going to take a look at some of North Carolina’s most dangerous jobs. The specific danger level of a job will, at least for today, be judged on the frequency of workplace injuries. First let’s take a look at some statistics involving North Carolina employees getting hurt on the job. Injuries By The Numbers For one year, in North Carolina alone, over 71,009 non-fatal workplace injuries were reported by private industry employers (according to 2016 reports by the…Read More
Medical treatment must be provided by a Workers’ Compensation insurance company or an employer if Worker’s Compensation covers an injury received by an employee in the workplace. Usually chosen to provide medical treatment is a private medical provider. In-house medical services may be preferred by various employers, i.e., hospitals or large manufacturers. Medical Treatments To relieve pain, assist an employee in returning to work, or cure the injury, medical treatment must be provided. These treatments can include the following: Medications Prosthetics Surgery Diagnostic testing Rehabilitation Doctor visits Health Insurance Health insurance and Workers’ Compensation are not one and the same, but… Conditions immediately resulting from a workplace injury are, of course, covered under Workers’ Compensation. Additionally, conditions that are a result of the initial injury may also be covered in the future. As an example, a Workers’ Compensation-covered knee injury…Read More
Are you an employee who was injured on the job? Have you visited your doctor for your work-related back injury? Did they tell you that, regarding your back injury, you have a 10% permanent disability? If so, what were they talking about? If, pertaining to your injury rating, you accept payment from your North Carolina Workers’ Compensation case, what effect will it have on your case? In fact, what are injury ratings? How these questions are answered could mean whether or not you can support your family, pay your bills, continue working, receive compensation, and more. Worse yet, the answers never seem to be cut and dried. They’re as tricky as any other legal situation. Getting Injured On The Job If you suffer a wage loss due to a work-related injury, you are entitled to disability payments of one type…Read More
When Are Workers’ Compensation Injuries Not Compensable Suffering a workplace injury does not mean there will be a compensable claim. In fact, many Workers’ Compensation claims are denied by employers’ insurance carriers. These claims are denied for various reasons. It is important to keep in mind that insurance companies do not have the final say over the compensability of claims. Ultimately, it is the North Carolina Industrial Commission that determines whether claims brought by injured workers are compensable. Finding an experienced Workers’ Comp attorney early in a claim can make the difference between claims being denied or being found compensable. How claims are reported to the employer, insurance company, and medical providers may go a long way in determining whether a claim will be accepted or denied. Attorneys can help with filing all the necessary forms in addition to supporting…Read More
Not all injuries result in severe, immediate symptoms. Several types of workplace injuries often have delayed symptoms. These types of claims are tricky to handle because they are not always clear whether an injured worker’s condition is related to the workplace accident or a preexisting medical condtion. Regardless of which injury is being treated, it is a good idea to consult with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. Typical Injuries With Delayed Symptoms Head Injuries: Oftentimes, head injures result in symptoms that include headaches, vision disturbances, headaches, and nausea. It is not uncommon for some head injury symptoms to materialize hours or even days after a workplace injury. In addition, head injuries will occasionally result in personality changes and mood swings. Injured workers who suffer head injuries should be closely monitored for days after the injury. Abdominal Injuries: Some workplace injuries…Read More
Workplace injuries in North Carolina arise in different ways. Most individuals do not understand that many types of workplace injuries are not compensable pursuant to the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act. Every attorney at Cardinal Law Partners is board certified in North Carolina workers’ compensation law. This type of experience allows our attorneys to help any injured worker and better understand their workplace injuries and best determine whether it falls within the umbrellas of the Workers’ Compensation Act. Below are the three key types of workplace injuries in North Carolina: Injuries by accidents Specific traumatic incidents Occupational Diseases What Is An Injury By Accident? For the run-of-the-mill workplace accident to be compensable in North Carolina, there must be an accident. These accidents include any unlooked-for events and injuries that occured after routine working hours. Injuries that result from slips, trips,…Read More
Getting injured at work can be an overwhelming experience. Not only is the injured worker facing medical costs and time missed from work, but there is usually an uncomfortable strain on the employment relationship. Lawyers at Cardinal Law Partners have been there with hundreds of clients over the last 15 years. One of the first things every injured worker needs to know is that some claims are denied by the workers’ compensation carrier and some claims are accepted by the carrier. What Injured Workers Need To Know About Workers’ Compensation Claim Denials Denied workers’ compensation claims mean that the carrier is taking no responsibility for the worker’s injury. Insurance carriers typically deny claims on a North Carolina Industrial Commission Form 61. This also means that: The Industrial Commission will ultimately decide whether the injured worker has suffered a compensable claim.…Read More
