Have you recently suffered an injury while on the job in North Carolina?
If so, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to help cover your medical expenses and lost wages. However, navigating the complexities of the workers’ comp system can be overwhelming, leaving many injured workers needing guidance on how to obtain the compensation they deserve.
In this guide, our experienced Winston-Salem and Charlotte work injury attorneys explain how to maximize your workers’ comp settlement.
Please don’t hesitate to call (336) 724-2828 or send us an online message today for a consultation.
Understanding Your Rights
First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand your rights as an injured worker in North Carolina. The state’s workers’ compensation system is designed to provide benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses, regardless of fault.
This means that even if the accident that caused your injury was partially your fault, you may still be eligible for benefits. It is important to note that employees must file a claim with the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) within two years of the date of injury. Failing to file within this timeframe may result in a forfeiture of benefits.
How to Maximize Your Workers’ Comp Settlement
Securing the maximum comp settlement requires a strategic approach. In this section, we’ll outline the steps you can take to maximize your workers’ comp benefits and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve, empowering you to take control of your recovery journey.
Report Your Injury Promptly
One of the most important steps you can take is to report your injury to your employer as soon as possible. In North Carolina, you must report your injury within 30 days of the accident to be eligible for benefits. Failing to report your injury promptly could jeopardize your claim.
Seek Medical Treatment
It’s crucial to seek medical treatment for your injury right away. Not only is this important for your health and well-being, but it also provides documentation of your injury, which is essential for your workers’ comp claim. Be sure to follow your doctor’s orders and attend all necessary appointments.
Document Everything
Keep detailed records of all expenses related to your injury, including doctor’s visits, prescriptions, and any necessary medical procedures. Additionally, document any time you miss work due to your injury, as this will help calculate your lost wages.
Follow Your Doctor’s Recommendations
If your doctor recommends surgery or other medical interventions, following their advice is important. In North Carolina, undergoing surgery or other medical treatment can increase your settlement as long as it is deemed necessary for your recovery.
Understand Your Settlement Options
Workers’ comp settlements in North Carolina can take various forms, including lump-sum settlements or weekly payments. Working with an experienced attorney is essential to understanding these options and negotiating the best possible settlement for your case.
North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Settlement FAQs
Understanding the nuances of workers’ comp settlements is crucial to maximizing your benefits. Depending on the nature of your injury, here are a few of the questions you may be asking.
Does Surgery Increase Workers’ Comp Settlement?
Undergoing surgery for your work-related injury can increase your settlement as long as it’s deemed necessary for your recovery. A surgery recommendation from your treating physician can increase your settlement award.
How Much Does a Steroid Injection Increase Workers’ Compensation Settlement?
Steroid injections, like other medical interventions, can impact your workers’ comp settlement, but the exact amount will vary depending on your specific case.
Will Workers’ Compensation Cover the Cost of Prescription Medications Related to My Injury?
Workers’ compensation benefits should include coverage for prescription medications if required as part of your treatment.
Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Mental Health Services?
If your injury has caused emotional distress or psychological issues, mental health services, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or counseling, medication management, psychiatric evaluations, or other necessary services, may be covered by workers’ comp benefits.
What If I Want to Get a Second Opinion Regarding My Injury?
Employers have the right to choose the initial treating physician, but injured workers may seek a second opinion or choose their own physician after an initial evaluation. An experienced attorney can explain this and all other rights employees have under the workers’ compensation system.
Contact an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in North Carolina
Navigating the workers’ comp system can be overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with the physical and emotional toll of a workplace injury. That’s where EMP Law comes in.
Our team of experienced attorneys is dedicated to helping injured workers like you get the compensation they deserve. Let us help you determine how to maximize your workers’ comp settlement.
Contact us online or call (336) 724-2828 today for a consultation, and let us help you navigate the workers’ comp system with confidence and compassion. Maximize your settlement and get the support you need to move forward.