If you have been injured at work and your workers’ comp claim is denied, you are undoubtedly worried about your medical expenses piling up. There are options to paying your medical bills, even when workers’ comp denies the claim. Health insurance covers bills consistent with your policy, but a denied claim may lead to high out-of-pocket costs. Insurers also...
Continue ReadingDoctors assign temporary work restrictions based on medical opinion, but permanent restrictions usually result from a functional capacity evaluation (FCE). Physicians use FCEs to define long-term work limitations. If you are injured at work, you will quickly become familiar with the different exams and evaluations likely required to return to work, including the functional capacity evaluation. FCE (Functional Capacity...
Continue ReadingWorkers’ compensation insurance covers surgery costs if the surgery is necessary for your recovery from a work-related injury. Surgery is often essential for treating back injuries, joint issues, or other musculoskeletal conditions. When you’re injured at work, workers’ compensation is designed to help cover the costs of medical care, lost wages, and recovery. But when your injury requires surgery,...
Continue ReadingWhen you’ve been injured in a North Carolina workplace accident and are receiving workers’ compensation benefits, you probably have questions. At the top of your list of questions might be, Can I get another job while on workers’ comp? The short answer is yes. But you’ll want to evaluate how it may impact your workers’ compensation benefits before taking...
Continue ReadingOne moment, you’re going about your daily work tasks; the next, a sharp pain shoots through your shoulder. In a heartbeat, the pain upends your life, and you’re left wondering how your injury will affect your future. For many North Carolina workers, an on-the-job shoulder injury isn’t just painful. It’s a potential financial setback. If you are grappling with...
Continue ReadingYou cannot legally be fired for filing a workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina. Unfortunately, the law does not stop some employers from trying, despite the fact that suffering an injury on the job can change your life in an instant. Workers’ compensation coverage exists to help support you as you navigate your new reality and work to get...
Continue ReadingWhen you put in long hours doing productive work out in the workplace, you want to feel welcome and respected. At the very least, employees expect fair treatment. Unfortunately, some employers fail to provide such a healthy workspace, and examples of unfair labor practices by unions and employers abound. Federal and state employment laws protect workers’ rights. But not...
Continue ReadingIf you are injured at work and seek workers’ compensation benefits, you’ll receive a lot of unsolicited advice, mostly about what you should and could do. However, knowing what not to do while on workers’ compensation is equally essential. As an injured employee, you might be entitled to medical and wage replacement benefits while you recover from a workplace...
Continue ReadingWorkers’ comp head injury settlements can be substantial and can be pivotal in helping you recover financially, physically, and emotionally from a head injury at work. The type and amount of settlement can vary significantly depending on the kind of head injury, the benefits you are eligible for, and whether you also have a viable civil lawsuit. At EMP...
Continue ReadingIf you’ve been injured at work in North Carolina, you might wonder, Who pays for health insurance while I’m on workers’ compensation? or, Does my employer have to pay my health insurance while I’m on workers’ comp? These are valid concerns, as medical bills can pile up quickly. Let’s dive into these important questions and shed some light on...
Continue Reading