Legally, almost every employer in North Carolina must carry workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance helps protect not only them from being held liable for incidents, but the injured employee as well. These benefits are crucial to an employee’s well-being during their recovery process, but employers often don’t make it easy. Working with a Brookford workers’ compensation lawyer can help ensure an easy navigation process.
Catawba County’s top employers in 2024 were Corning Optical Communications, CommScope, and Pierre Foods Inc. Without employees, most companies would cease to exist. Despite this, many employees are treated without the care they deserve. Here at Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, we understand how destabilizing workplace injuries and illnesses can feel.
With over 23 years of experience and a past career in insurance defense law, Attorney Helton has pivoted to help his local communities seek justice for what they deserve. He’s proud to serve Burke County, Catawba County, Caldwell County, and the surrounding areas with all aspects of workplace law.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina was created to protect workers and promote safe working conditions. Under this law, employers must provide a workplace that is free from serious hazards that could cause injury, illness, or death.
In 2023, there were a reported 85,700 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in North Carolina. When employers fail at their duties and an employee gets injured or sick, workers’ compensation insurance kicks in. After experiencing an incident, the injured workers must report it to their employer within 30 days. They must do this verbally and in writing.
The employer’s insurance company in Brookford generally pays for and provides the hurt employee with:
In 2023, there were 2.2 workplace incidents per 100 North Carolina workers. These benefits continue until the employee can return to work. If the employee can’t ever return to work due to disability, there may be an option for permanent partial payments.
If an employer thinks the injury or illness isn’t work-related or not severe enough, they may try to deny your claim. The employee will be notified of the denial and is allowed to request a hearing to appeal the decision.
For employees facing this, the last thing they want to do is try to recover from their injury while arguing with insurance company workers. Be sure to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer to help fight for you if you’re facing pushback.
During this time, workers may still seek medical treatment. However, if your case results in a final denial, those medical bills will be sent directly to you.
The team at Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, is passionate about workers’ rights. We don’t believe in letting companies take advantage of employees. Contact our office today if you’ve faced violations of your employee rights. Attorney Helton listens to his clients’ concerns and helps them explore what legal options are available to them. Let’s fight this together.