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“Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC was recommended by someone I know. My experience was long and drawn out, but that is the way it is with workers’ comp. Everyone was friendly and good to me. They never thought they were better than me. Dianna always talked to me when I called. They were also very thorough. Everyone thinks this is a fast process but it’s not. They were honest about that with me. Dianna had a friendly attitude, and we were always able to talk to one another. She always got to what I called about right away.”
─ C.S., Norwood, N.C.
“A friend told me to call Fred Poisson, Jr. and that he would tell me my options about my case and do what’s best for me. My experience was very pleasant, he and his staff went out of their way to make me feel comfortable every time I was there. I would tell friends and family to call and talk to Mr. Poisson and form their own opinions, and I’m sure they would see what I saw and would choose Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC. What’s not to like about Mr. Poisson, he was a friend and someone you liked whenever you first met him.”
─ C.K., Chesterfield, S.C.
“I got injured on the job and at the time my son worked at the hospital. He recommended Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC to me. I went into the office and talked with Fred and he made me feel good about my situation. He turned me over to Stewart, and she did a fantastic job. I did not make it easy on her. I made some changes in my work history during the case that did not help her at all. Stewart worked very hard for me, and I received more than I thought I would get. I would recommend this firm to everyone, not just for workers comp., but for any legal needs.”
─ C.S., Rockingham, NC
- Meet Our AttorneysLearn more about the firm
In North Carolina, workers’ compensation benefits are available to eligible employees who get hurt or become sick on the job. These benefits can help cover the cost of medical care, lost wages, and other expenses while injured workers recuperate. If you were injured at work, you could be entitled to these benefits. Unfortunately, you may find that it is an uphill battle to get them. That’s when you need an experienced Wadesboro workers’ compensation lawyer.
Contact the knowledgeable legal team at Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC today to learn how we can help. Our lawyers are designated by the North Carolina State Bar as Board-Certified workers’ compensation specialists. We can provide a free case review to answer all your questions and help you decide on your next steps.
Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Workers’ compensation benefits are intended to help you recover from job-related injuries and get back on your feet as soon as possible.
The benefits you could receive from a successful claim may cover the following types of accident-related losses:
- Medical expenses – The costs of any medical treatment you require for your injuries, including ambulance rides, hospital stays, surgical bills, costs of therapy, and prescription co-pays.
- Incidental costs – Reasonable costs of any traveling needed to visit doctor’s offices or therapy clinics.
- Vocational rehabilitation costs – Expenses regarding job-related education or occupational retraining, if you need help preparing or qualifying for a new role.
- Temporary disability – If you are temporarily unable to return to work, you could receive benefits that cover up to two-thirds of your average weekly pre-injury wages. If you can return to work but only in a limited capacity, you can receive up to two-thirds of the difference between your pre- and post-injury weekly income.
- Permanent disability – If you are permanently disabled, you can receive up to two-thirds of your previous average weekly wages for a scheduled number of weeks, depending on the severity of your disability. If you are permanently and totally disabled, you could receive these benefits for the remainder of your life.
Deadlines for Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim
If you need to file for workers’ compensation benefits in North Carolina, you should be aware of the following deadlines that could affect your claim:
- You have 30 days to notify your employer of your injury. To receive workers’ comp benefits, you are required to notify your employer of your work-related injury in writing. You must submit a written notice of your injury within 30 days of the date you were hurt or within 30 days of being diagnosed with an occupational illness. You should keep a copy of the report you submit for your own records.
- You have two years to file a claim for compensation. It’s not always obvious right away that you have a job-related injury that requires treatment. Some ailments may take months or years to manifest themselves. You have two years from the date of your injury — or the date when you should have been aware that you had grounds for a claim — during which to file. You must submit a completed Form 18 to the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) within two years to receive benefits.
How Long Does It Take to Receive Workers’ Comp Benefits?
In most cases, the benefits you require to cover reasonable and necessary medical care should be available right away. If you are directed to visit a certain provider by your employer, the designated provider should know to bill your employer. If you visit your own physician, you can give them your employer’s information so they can bill your employer or the workers’ comp insurance carrier directly.
If your injury is so severe that you are forced to miss work, you may receive lost wages benefits after a certain amount of time off. You are generally eligible to receive lost wages benefits after your first seven days of missed work, which do not have to be consecutive. However, if you are unable to work for 21 days or more, you are then entitled to recover benefits for your first seven days of missed work as well.
If you suffer a serious injury that requires significant time away from work and extensive medical attention, it could take a while before you receive the full benefits you are owed. You may need months or even years before you reach maximum medical improvement, at which point your doctor can accurately determine the likely long-term effects of your disability.
What to Do After an Injury at Work
If you suffer an on-the-job injury, what you do next can have a significant impact on your ability to recover compensation.
To protect your rights, you should:
- Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. Provide your employer with a written report of the injury within 30 days of the incident or diagnosis.
- Seek prompt medical attention. Visit an employer-designated doctor or a doctor of your choice if your employer does not designate a provider. Describe the incident and your symptoms in detail so you receive an accurate diagnosis.
- Follow through on any treatment recommendations from your doctor. By following your doctor’s orders, you will give yourself the best chance at a full recovery and demonstrate that you are taking your health seriously.
- Record everything you can. Hold on to any medical bills and receipts for incidental expenses and keep tabs on the amount of time you miss at work.
- Contact a knowledgeable Wadesboro workers’ compensation attorney. An attorney can help you understand your legal rights and manage your claim from start to finish.
Our Wadesboro Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Are Ready to Serve You
The dedicated lawyers of Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC are Board-Certified workers’ compensation specialists. We have the experience and the resources to pursue all the benefits you deserve.
We offer initial consultations at no cost or obligation to you, and we will work with you on a contingency basis. This means we will not charge legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help with your Wadesboro workers’ compensation claim.
