Occupational Injury Lawyer in NC

Have you suffered an injury on the job or developed an impairment in the course of your employment? If so, North Carolina law likely makes you eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, which can cover the cost of your medical treatment and replace part of your lost wages to help you make ends meet while you recover. Depending on the circumstances, you could also have third-party claims against at-fault parties other than your employer or co-workers.

Don’t miss the chance to assert your rights and demand fair compensation for your workplace injury. Contact Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, to learn more about your options from an occupational injury lawyer in NC and get a legal legacy on your side today. The consultation is free, confidential, and comes without further obligations on your part.

Why Choose Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, for Your Occupational Injury Case?

Don’t make the mistake of pursuing your workplace injury claim without experienced legal help. The workers’ compensation system is complicated, and it’s all too easy to make a mistake that puts your rights at risk.

Instead, turn to Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, for the assistance you need to assertively seek compensation from all available sources. We’ve helped many hardworking North Carolinians like you access the benefits they’re entitled to by law, including a satisfied client who had this to say about her experience:

“Working with Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC has truly been life-changing for me. I was in way over my head after I was in a serious car accident when 34 weeks pregnant. This was a Workers’ Compensation case, and I can honestly say I felt so incredibly well taken care of by these caring and incredibly smart, genuinely wonderful attorneys. As a new mom, I knew Stewart Poisson was working on my behalf so I could focus on motherhood. I am more than satisfied and couldn’t recommend this firm enough.”

What Are Common Types of Occupational Injuries in NC?

The term “occupational injuries” refers to a wide range of harm or illnesses workers sustain on the job, often resulting from unsafe conditions, repetitive tasks, or exposure to hazardous substances. Workplace injuries can disrupt employees’ lives, impair their ability to work, and leave them under heavy financial burdens.

Fortunately, the North Carolina workers’ compensation system provides a critical safety net for employees who’ve suffered occupational injuries like the following:

• Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) – Repeated motions over time can lead to RSIs like carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, back pain, and rotator cuff tears. These cause chronic pain, reduced mobility, and difficulty performing job duties and are common among office workers, factory employees, and healthcare professionals.
• Toxic exposure – Workers in industries like manufacturing or construction may be exposed to hazardous substances. Asbestos, chemicals, or fumes can cause long-term health issues like respiratory diseases or cancers, including mesothelioma.
• Slips and falls – Among the most common workplace accidents, slips and falls may result in injuries ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures, head trauma, or spinal cord damage.
• Machinery-related injuries – Operating heavy machinery or tools without proper training, oversight, or safety equipment can lead to severe injuries like fractures, amputations, and other crush injuries.
• Occupational diseases – Long-term exposure to workplace hazards can cause diseases such as mesothelioma from asbestos, hearing loss from prolonged noise exposure, or chronic respiratory conditions from inhaling dust or fumes.

Who Is Eligible to File an Occupational Injury Claim?

North Carolina state law requires virtually all employers with three or more employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. It covers both full- and part-time employees, though not freelance or contract workers. However, there are certain exceptions for agricultural employers with fewer than 10 employees, certain logging and sawmill operations, and employers of domestic staff.

Any covered employee is entitled to file an occupational injury claim against their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance provider when they suffer a workplace injury or occupational illness while performing work duties. Fault is typically not a factor in workers’ compensation claims. An injured worker can recover benefits even if the employer did nothing negligent to cause the accident.

How Do Workers’ Compensation Laws Apply to Occupational Injuries?

North Carolina’s workers’ compensation system guarantees certain benefits to eligible employees who develop occupational injuries. Workers’ comp benefits include:

• Complete coverage of all reasonable and necessary medical treatment stemming from the occupational injury
• Partial replacement of lost wages while recovering from the occupational injury
• Specific loss benefits if the occupational injury results in the long-term impairment or loss of a specified body part
• Vocational retraining if the injury necessitates a career change
• Survivor benefits for close family members if the worker’s injury proves fatal

Crucially, these benefits are available regardless of fault. You do not have to prove that your employer was to blame for your occupational injury in order to access benefits – only that your injury happened on the job or as a direct result of your employment.

What if a Third Party Was Responsible for Your Occupational Injury?

In exchange for providing no-fault benefits for injured employees, employers enjoy broad protections from personal injury lawsuits over those injuries – even in most cases where the employer might be to blame. However, these protections apply only to employers and co-workers.

If a third party outside your employment arrangement caused your injuries – for example, a subcontractor working on the same job site or a negligent driver in a crash while you were driving for work – you could have grounds for a personal injury claim against the third party.

A third-party personal injury claim can allow you to recover compensation not available through workers’ comp, such as:

• The full value of your lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Diminished earning potential
• Reduced quality of life

If you suspect a non-employer third party was responsible for your occupational injury, you should contact our experienced personal injury attorneys right away.

What Are the Steps to File an Occupational Injury Claim in NC?

After you’ve suffered an occupational injury in North Carolina, you can pursue a workers’ compensation claim by:

• Reporting the accident to your employer immediately, ideally in writing. Failure to notify them within 30 days of the accident will jeopardize coverage.
• Confirming with your employer that they have notified their workers’ compensation insurance provider. If they have not, you can file Form 18 or 18B with the Industrial Commission up to two years from the date of your injury.
• Appealing the decision to the North Carolina Industrial Commission by filing Form 61 if the insurance company denies or undervalues your claim.

The workers’ compensation system can be confusing, and it’s easy to make a mistake if you are unfamiliar with it. Rather than put your rights at risk, get help from our experienced work injury attorneys immediately. We can prepare and file your claim for you, communicate with the insurance provider, and represent you at any hearings and appeals as necessary.

Learn Your Rights Under North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Laws

Have you suffered an occupational injury in North Carolina? Are you interested in learning more about your rights and asserting them with the help of an experienced North Carolina workers’ compensation attorney? Then don’t wait another moment. Contact Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, right away for a free consultation.