If you were injured at work and filed a workers’ compensation claim, you are undoubtedly anxiously waiting to see if your claim is approved. But you might not know how to check the status of your workers’ comp claim.
Your workers’ comp claim status is available; you just need to know where to look. Our Charlotte and Winston-Salem workers’ compensation lawyers put together this guide to assist you with every aspect of your workers’ comp claim process.
For assistance, please send us an online message or call (336) 724-2828 today.
How to Check Workers Comp Status: 4 Ways to Check Your Claim
You’ve filed a workers’ comp claim for benefits, and at some point, you will likely wonder, How do I know if my workers’ comp claim is approved? It is normal to feel like you are waiting on pins and needles to hear that your claim is approved. So, let’s look at four ways to check the status of your workers’ comp claim.
Contact the North Carolina Industrial Commission
One way to check the status of your claim is to call the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC), the agency that regulates and oversees workers’ compensation insurance and benefits.
You can call and provide your claim number or other case identifiers to try to obtain the status of your claim. However, they may only have the bare minimum of information readily available.
Call Your Employer
Sometimes, the best way to determine the status of your claim is to contact your employer. Your employer is the liaison between you and the insurer. Your employer can contact their insurance company and provide you with an update regarding your claim.
While this is possible, the reality is that North Carolina employers are not always cooperative or willing to assist their employees with their workers’ comp claims. However, if your employer is willing to help they may be able to obtain the information from their insurance company.
Contact the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Company Directly
You can also cut out the middleman—your employer—and contact the workers’ compensation insurer directly. It is the insurer who decides whether to approve your claim and pay the benefits.
Proceed with caution
While you can directly call the insurance carrier, we advise you to proceed cautiously. In other words, get the information you need and then refrain from long discussions with the insurer. Remember, the insurance company is not on your side. It is their job to pay as little on a claim as possible.
So, aside from requesting general information, such as whether the claim was approved or denied, you should refrain from lengthy conversations and inquiries with the worker’s comp insurance provider.
If you say too much, you might inadvertently say something that hurts your claim. So, it’s best to keep your conversation with the insurer short and simple.
Delays
Insurance companies may unnecessarily delay and keep you waiting anxiously for the outcome of your claim. While the deadline for the insurance company to respond to a claim is typically 30 days, it is common for the insurance companies to delay.
The insurance carrier may even keep you waiting until the 29th or 30th day as a way to keep the pressure on you. This may leave you without medical benefits and pay for several weeks while recovering from your injury and waiting on approval.
If your claim is denied after waiting several weeks for a response, it will inevitably delay your benefits because you must go through the appeals process.
Let Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Handle It
While hiring an attorney to handle your workers’ compensation claim is not legally required, it is often the best solution. This may be your first and only encounter with the workers’ compensation system, but it is certainly not ours.
As workers comp attorneys, we can help you:
- Accurately and expeditiously file your claim for benefits;
- Help investigate your claim and gather evidence;
- Speak and negotiate with the insurance company;
- Appeal any denials;
- Check the status of your claim;
- Assist you with receiving fair and appropriate benefits;
- Attend court hearings; and
- Ensure you are receiving necessary and proper medical care.
Workers’ compensation attorneys understand how insurance companies work and how the courts operate. Having an attorney can make getting through any roadblock easier. At EMP Law, we can assist you with your workers’ comp claim every step of the way.
North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Working for You
At EMP Law, we are dedicated to helping injured workers receive the benefits to which they are entitled. If you were recently injured at work and are looking to file a claim for benefits or have already filed one but are having trouble obtaining the status, we are here to help. Contact us online or call (336) 724-2828 today to schedule a consultation.
Griff is dedicated to assisting individuals who need assistance with workers' compensation issues, who are the victims of discrimination, or who have suffered a serious injury. He practices primarily in the areas of workers’ compensation, employment, civil rights, and mediation.
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