Fayetteville Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
North Carolina requires employers with three or more employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This coverage is a godsend for people who suffer illnesses or injuries while on the job. Still, getting this coverage isn’t always easy, and after suffering a serious condition, you may not know where to start.
Our workers’ compensation lawyers in Fayetteville have decades of experience helping seriously injured employees pursue the benefits they deserve. If you or someone you love was injured on the job, call Whitley Law Firm at (919) 785-5000 for a free, no-obligation case consultation. Should we partner up, our Fayetteville personal injury lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, collecting no attorney’s fees until we recover compensation for you.
Our Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Work to Protect Your Future
At our law firm, we extend the Whitley Advantage to each of our clients. The Whitley Advantage isn’t just one thing. It’s care. It’s compassion. It’s listening—really listening— it’s protecting our clients like we would our own family. It’s everything.
We aim to provide a smooth legal experience during a stressful time by offering:
- Spanish/English service
- Answers to your messages within 24 hours
- Appointments when you need them
- Your attorney’s email address and phone number
- A shoulder to lean on
We never forget that we work for you, not the other way around.
Our Injury Lawyers Advocate for Clients With These Injuries
In Fayetteville, our workers’ comp attorneys help individuals who have suffered serious physical injuries and illnesses. We don’t settle without fighting for every dime you deserve because we know the following can leave you with a lifetime of pain and physical challenges:
- Burns
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Limb loss
- Paralysis
- Electric shocks
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Cancer
- Wrist tendonitis
- Crush injuries
- Hearing loss
- Loss of or damage to eyesight in one or both eyes
Whatever your serious work-related injury or illness is, we will fight for justice.
How Our Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Manage Your Fayetteville Case
Our workers’ compensation attorneys approach each case individually. No two cases are the same. So, we curate our legal strategy based on your injuries, damages, and job.
Here’s a rough outline of how we may proceed with your claim:
- During your free case evaluation, we share if you could benefit from working with our attorneys. We also outline our fee structure, previous successes, and commitment to your case’s outcome.
- We collect the documentation needed to support your claim, including the incident report and your medical records. Then, we fill out all paperwork the insurer needs and file it on time.
- If your claim is denied, we learn and address the reason for the denial. This may involve negotiating, reopening an investigation, or filing a request for a hearing.
- If the insurer will not offer financial compensation, our workers’ comp attorneys will represent you at the hearing.
Unlike many law firms, the Whitley workers’ compensation team meets weekly to discuss ongoing workers’ comp cases. We do this because we know that a serious injury is life-altering. Our goal is to change your future and to do that, we leverage our team’s experience to protect you like family.
We shoulder the legal burden so you can focus on recovery, and we work to get you the highest settlement possible so that you can get back to your life.
We’ve Secured Positive Outcomes for Workers’ Compensation Claimants
Since 1974, we have successfully secured workers’ compensation benefits for our clients, with some outcomes including:
- $4 million for an ironworker who was left paralyzed after a demolition job
- $2.4 million for a construction worker who suffered a traumatic brain injury and organ damage during an accident on the job
- $1.2 million for a roofing superintendent for injuries to his knee, arm, and pelvic area as he was driving to a work site
- $1.135 million for a worker who suffered leg fractures while inspecting a job site
The value of your losses depends on your situation. Your Fayetteville workers’ compensation lawyer evaluates the accident’s effect on your life, along with your recovery period, to glean insight into the value of your losses.
Our Personal Injury Attorneys Are Motivated by the Feedback We Get
Nothing warms our hearts more than getting positive feedback from the people we’ve helped. Jenn T., one of our workers’ compensation clients, shared this about her time with Whitley Law Firm:
- “I was injured while working. I realized I needed to hire an attorney shortly after being injured. I went to about five different ones to ask about my options. When I met Michele I knew right away she was who I needed and wanted on my side. Michele Welsh was my case worker. She was with me every single step of the way. I never felt alone again. She made herself completely available. The Whitley Law Firm makes you feel like family. I will use them again for any issues that may arise. They are also the only firm I will ever refer others to. I could not have had a better experience. Thank you so much Michele and The entire family at Whitley Law Firm.”
Another client, Michelle T., shared:
- “When you’re 51 years old and you have a great life and a great job that you love going to everyday, you never think that you could or would be injured. Well it happens! … I didn’t think long and made that call to Ben Whitley. There was a lot of laws I didn’t know about and he cleared it up for me. Finally my mind was at ease that I had someone on my side.”
We’re confident that after working with our team, you’ll also have great things to say about our quality of service.
Our Fayetteville Workers’ Compensation Seek Full Benefits After Your Injury
Workers’ compensation in North Carolina is a no-fault insurance program. For you, this means that you don’t have to prove that another party caused your accident. You only have to show that you were performing your job-related tasks and suffered an injury.
With an approved workers’ compensation claim, you can get benefits for:
Medical Expenses
Once the insurance company accepts your claim, you should get full coverage for your necessary medical expenses. This includes compensation for surgery and hospital stays, along with long-term expenses, such as physical therapy.
Temporary Disability Benefits
If you are unable to work for more than seven days, you may receive temporary total disability (TTD) benefits at two-thirds of your average weekly wage before the injury. If you are able to return to work at some point but cannot work as much or earn as much as before your injury, then, you could receive temporary partial disability (TPD). These benefits are available for up to 500 weeks.
Permanent Disability Benefits
Once you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), the point at which your medical team believes your condition has healed the best it can, you may receive a disability rating between 1% and 99%. This is considered a permanent partial disability (PPD) rating. If you receive a rating of 100%, this is a permanent total disability (PTD) rating, and you could get compensation for life.
It’s critical for you and your family that you receive all of the benefits you are due while you recover. Yet, figuring out these benefits can be a mind-boggling exercise. Our experienced attorneys will explain all of it so that you understand what to expect and can make informed decisions.
Our Lawyers Seek Benefits Beyond Medical Expenses and Lost Income
Our law firm wants to recover everything you need, so you can start rebuilding your life. We leave no hardship unaccounted for in your case, aiming for the best possible outcome. In addition to healthcare bills and lost income, you can recover:
- Reimbursement for travel expenses. If you drive 20 miles or more round trip between your home and your medical appointment, you can fill out a mileage form and get reimbursed. The amount per mile you collect changes each year. You could also get financial recovery for tolls, lodging, meals, parking, and renting a car. Our workers’ comp attorney will determine the exact amount you are owed.
- Vocational rehabilitation. Your injury may permanently affect your working ability. If you can no longer work in the same field because of your condition, you could get compensation for job retraining. For instance, if you can no longer work in construction, you could take classes to help you get certified as an IT specialist.
- Death benefits. If you suffered the loss of a loved one, please accept our deepest condolences. In situations like these, workers’ compensation offers death benefits to dependents or next of kin. You could get compensation for your loved one’s lost income, along with a burial allowance of up to $10,000.
Workers’ compensation does not cover non-economic damages, like pain and suffering. It only accounts for the monetary expenses resulting from your on-the-job injury or loved one’s passing.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Filing a Fayetteville Workers’ Compensation Claim
While the state requires companies with three or more employees to carry workers’ compensation, it’s not a government program. The government won’t pay out your claim, an insurance company will. And like all insurance companies, those that offer workers’ compensation coverage are for-profit businesses, and they prioritize their bottom lines above all else.
This means that even if you have a compelling claim and serious injuries, the insurer may put up a fight when processing your case. Here are some considerations that could bolster your claim’s outcome:
- Do not make a statement to the insurance adjuster before speaking with a workers’ compensation attorney. The insurer can take anything you say and twist it into something you didn’t mean.
- Report your injury in writing to your employer within 30 days—emailing, texting, or using a specific form. It’s important to notify your employer in writing, so they can’t say you didn’t tell them later.
- Tell your healthcare provider about any pain you felt at the time of the injury or may still feel. Make it clear that the injury or illness is job-related. If you broke your arm and experienced brief pain at the same time in your back, tell your doctor about it. So, if your condition worsens later, you can get coverage for your medical bills.
- Do everything your medical team tells you to do and go to every appointment. If you skip treatment or stop taking prescriptions, the insurance company may say that you are not really injured and do not need compensation benefits.
We also suggest reaching out to our Fayetteville workers’ compensation lawyers for more information on your case. During this no-obligation case review, we can answer your questions, discuss your options, and put your mind at ease.
Could I Have a Fayetteville Personal Injury Claim or Lawsuit?
If another party’s negligence led to your injuries, you could have the basis of a personal injury claim or lawsuit in addition to a workers’ compensation case. For instance, if you were injured in a car accident while making a delivery for your job, you could file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver’s insurer. This could offer compensation for damages not covered by workers’ compensation, including pain and suffering, scarring, and disfigurement.
Our lawyers can evaluate your legal options and pursue the one that benefits your situation.
Begin Your Free Case Review With Our Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
There are many rules when seeking workers’ compensation benefits in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Any lawyer not regularly practicing in that field is bound to miss important details that can benefit you.
If you or a loved one suffered a serious workplace injury or illness, call our workers’ comp attorneys at (919) 785-5000. Let our family help yours. We are a locally owned and operated law firm, and we know the law. Whitley Law Firm is here to protect your rights.
