What Injuries Are Covered by Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina?

Suffering an injury at work can be a devastating experience that can come with years of debilitating pain and the inability to earn an income. Whether you work in one of the manufacturing plants around Charlotte or in a textile mill outside Hickory, you are likely wondering, “What injuries are covered by workers’ compensation in North Carolina?” At Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, our firm is here to answer that question.

Why Choose Our Team for Your Workers’ Comp Case?

For over two decades, Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, has been helping hard-working individuals like yourself get back on their feet after suffering an injury at their place of employment. We are here to provide you with specific information about your legal right to compensation. Whatever your work injury case involves, we are prepared to help you.

Injuries Covered by Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina

In the United States, a worker suffers an injury at their place of employment every seven seconds. When these injuries occur, workers are typically entitled to receive compensation through their employer’s insurance company. North Carolina has a no-fault workers’ compensation system, meaning you will have the ability to file for compensation no matter what party is to blame for the accident and the injury you have sustained.

For many folks, the benefits they receive can make a substantial difference in their lives post-injury. Without compensation, it can be difficult to continue paying your bills. It is important, however, to be aware of what injuries are covered. Our team is here to help all clients from Caldwell, Burke, and Catawba counties understand what injuries are covered by their employer’s insurance and which are not.

Some of the most common covered injuries can include the following: 

• Nerve damage
• Knee injuries
• Hand injuries
• Paralysis
• Bone breaks or fractures
• Amputations
• Crushing injuries
• Facial injuries
• Hearing loss
• Vision loss
• Back injuries
• Damage to internal organs
• Spinal cord damage
• Severe burns
• Repetitive stress or motion injuries, such as tennis elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome
• Certain occupational diseases, like mesothelioma, other cancers, and poisoning, that account for nearly 31.3% of all preventable injuries in the state

To better understand if your injury is covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance, it is vital that you speak with an attorney who can review your accident and the evidence involved. Having an attorney can demonstrate to your employer and their insurance company that you are serious about receiving the compensation you are due.

Benefits You May Be Entitled to Receive From Your NC Workers’ Comp Claim

Depending on the nature and severity of your injury, there are several different types of benefits you may be able to receive. If your condition is covered by your employer’s insurance company, the benefits you may be able to obtain include the following:

• Medical costs. Most work injuries will cost victims an average of $43,000 in medical expenses. You should not have to pay these costs out of your own pocket. Instead, you should be able to receive benefits to cover things like doctor’s visits, hospital stays, treatments and diagnostic tests, prescription medications, emergency room visits, transportation to and from the hospital, and surgeries.
• Wage replacement. In certain cases, an injury may lead to a temporary disability that keeps you from being able to return to work for a certain amount of time. In these situations, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance may provide you with a weekly wage that can help sustain you until you are recovered enough to return to work.
• Disability. If you suffer a permanent disability or impairment, you may be unable to return to work at all. Workers’ compensation may be able to offer you permanent disability compensation.
• Death benefits. If you are the surviving spouse or child of an individual who has died due to a work-related injury, you may be able to recover certain benefits from the insurance company, such as funeral expenses, burial costs, medical debt related to the injury, and other forms of financial support.

FAQs

What Should I Do If My Workers’ Comp Claim Is Denied in NC?

If your workers’ comp claim is denied, you still have options. When an insurance company denies your initial claim, your attorney has the ability to appeal your claim to the North Carolina Industrial Commission. While you focus on your own rest and recovery, your attorney can handle all the legalities of an appeal, including handling all the necessary paperwork, gathering evidence, and representing you in any potential hearings.

What Injuries Are Not Covered by Workers’ Comp?

In certain cases, workplace injuries will not be covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. These injuries can include any that were intentionally self-inflicted, injuries caused by intoxication at work, or injuries that happened because you violated strict company policy.

Which Industries Have the Most Deaths in NC?

Nearly every industry in NC can carry the risk of death, but there are certain fields of work that are more dangerous than others. These can include the manufacturing industry, which accounts for around 20 deaths per year, the construction industry, transportation, trade and utilities, agriculture, mining, or forestry.

How Can a Workers’ Comp Attorney Help Me With My Claim?

A workers’ comp lawyer can help you in many ways. When you are injured at work, you need compensation. However, getting this compensation can prove difficult. Your lawyer can help you gather and file all claim documentation, negotiate with the involved parties, and handle all court representation or appeals that are necessary.

Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today: Contact Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC

We are here to make the workers’ compensation system work for you. While exceptions do happen in certain industries, you are likely entitled to some form of compensation. In workers’ compensation cases, swift legal action is vital in securing the benefits you deserve. Contact our offices today to schedule your initial consultation and hire a skilled workers’ compensation lawyer.