North Carolina employers have a duty to keep the workplace environment safe for their employees. However, even when everyone takes precautions, accidents can occur. Workers’ compensation insurance coverage protects workers from the inherent dangers they face every day.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured on the job, a Jacksonville personal injury lawyer at Whitley Law Firm can provide you with sophisticated and compassionate legal representation.
Contact us to learn how a Jacksonville workers’ compensation lawyer can help you seek the compensation benefits you deserve and fight for your legal rights.
Workplace Accidents and Workers’ Compensation in Jacksonville, NC
As an employee who suffered a workplace injury, you deserve the highest-quality medical care and the time you need to recover from the accident since workers’ comp accidents can wreak havoc on every aspect of your life.
Ideally, your employer and their insurance company would do everything to help you; however, that is not always the case. Your employer may deny that your injury occurred on the job, or the insurance company may underestimate the severity of your injuries and deny benefits.
You need an experienced workers‘ compensation attorney who is intimately familiar with North Carolina workers‘ compensation laws and your legal rights on your side. At Whitley Law Firm, we will focus on listening to your side of the story and protecting you like a member of our family. We will help you fight for every dime you deserve.
For a free legal consultation with a workers' compensation lawyer serving Jacksonville, call (800)785-5000
Five Things to Look for When Selecting a Jacksonville Workers’ Compensation Attorney to Handle Your Case
Hiring a workers‘ compensation lawyer for your claim is an important decision. Here are five things to consider when evaluating candidates to champion your claim for damages:
1. Experience
You deserve to work with an experienced attorney who has handled many workers’ compensation cases in Jacksonville, North Carolina. We have over 80 years of combined experience with the workers’ comp claims process, so you will gain from our collective knowledge throughout your case.
2. Communication
The law firm that handles your workers’ compensation claim should allow you to text, email, or call them whenever you need help. You shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to reach your personal injury attorney to ask questions or find out your workplace injury claim’s current status.
We will make it easy and convenient for you to communicate with us, and we respond to all calls within 24 hours.
3. Specialized Knowledge About Workers’ Compensation Rules and Forms
Workers’ compensation claims differ greatly from auto accidents and other personal injury claims. They use a completely different court system and have unique laws.
At Whitley Law Firm, we know the strict rules, procedures, and forms required to win a workers’ compensation case. We are also familiar with the North Carolina Industrial Commission and how to deal with all the red tape that workers’ comp cases must go through.
4. An Exit Strategy for Your Workers’ Compensation Case
Your Jacksonville workers’ compensation attorney should have a plan for bringing your case to a successful conclusion. In some situations, it will be best to settle your claim.
In other circumstances, it may be better for you to stay in the program and continue receiving workers’ compensation program benefits, like ongoing medical treatments.
An experienced workers’ comp lawyer can advise you on your legal rights, how to manage your workers’ comp claim, and the best course of action to ensure you get the best medical care without ending up drowning in medical bills.
5. Knowledge of Hidden Potential Recoveries in Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
With a savvy worker’s comp lawyer handling your claim, you will not miss out on potential hidden sources of recovery on your case, such as:
- Mileage reimbursements: According to the North Carolina Industrial Commission, if you had to drive more than 20 miles for doctor’s appointments, you can collect mileage reimbursement. This can total a significant dollar amount, depending on the location of your approved healthcare providers and how often you must travel for treatment.
- Collecting income for the first week that you were out of work: Per G.S. § 97-28, you must be unable to work due to your job-related injuries for 21 days before you can collect your missed wages from the first week you could not work. You do not, however, automatically get this money. Your lawyer needs to request this recovery.
- Accurately calculating your weekly wages: According to the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources, your workers’ compensation payments should equal two-thirds of your regular average weekly wages. However, many employers miscalculate this amount. A miscalculation can mean you get shorted on your weekly check and your eventual payment based on your disability rating.
Ensure the lawyer handling your workers’ compensation case in Jacksonville, NC, has the experience and skill to recognize these possible hidden claims.
Jacksonville Workers' Compensation Lawyer Near Me (800)785-5000
Common Workplace Injuries
While just about any injury that occurs at work could qualify for workers’ compensation, some of the most common injuries our experienced workers’ comp lawyers see from job accidents include:
- Head injuries
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Crush injuries
- Internal injuries
- Joint damage
- Damage to arms
- Burns
- Lacerations
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Who’s Eligible for Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, any business owner who has three or more employees must carry workers‘ compensation insurance, with a few exceptions, like farm operations with fewer than ten laborers employed by the same farm and certain railroad operations.
That means domestic servants might not be covered after devastating workplace accidents. Still, injured workers from a variety of other business types do qualify, including people injured in factory accidents, construction accidents, or nearly any other job-related accident.
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How Long do You Have to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in North Carolina?
While some states only give you 30 or 60 days after injury to report your work accident, North Carolina has a two–year statute of limitations on workers’ compensation cases.
Even if you only suffer a mild injury, you should still provide a notice of injury to your employer as soon as you get hurt at work or discover that your injury or illness is work-related.
After all, the sooner you start your claim, the sooner your workers’ compensation coverage can kick in and start helping you get medical care. If settlement negotiations don’t go well, you can contact us for legal advice and start the legal process, if necessary, to get the money you’re entitled to.
How Much does an Experienced Work Injury Lawyer Cost?
Since you may already be struggling with numerous bills, it’s natural to worry about consultation fees when talking to an experienced lawyer.
Not only is a confidential consultation with the experienced team at Whitley Law Firm totally free, but our legal team works on contingency fees, meaning we take a portion of your settlement rather than charging you anything upfront.
If we don’t get you the workers’ comp benefits you need to pay for medical bills and lost wages caused by our on-the-job injury, then you don’t owe us anything.
Your Workers’ Compensation Case Deserves “The Whitley Advantage”
Our Jacksonville workers’ comp attorneys at Whitley Law Firm provide all the benefits above and more when handling your Jacksonville workers’ compensation case. We focus on treating our clients with care, empathy, and compassion. We will always be honest with you and fully commit to your case.
At Whitley Law Firm, we deliver “The Whitley Advantage” for our clients every day. The Whitley Advantage is not just one thing—it is everything. It is caring for our clients and protecting them as we would members of our family. The Whitley Advantage means treating you with kindness and truly listening to you and what you need.
A Caring Jacksonville Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help You After Losing a Loved One
If you lost a loved one in a work-related wrongful death accident, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation wrongful death benefits.
Wrongful death claims may pay for funeral expenses, a percentage of your loved one’s average income at the time of their death, and more to give your family members the money they need to lay their loved one to rest and then continue living and rebuilding their lives.
Our Jacksonville workers’ compensation attorneys, along with our entire team of North Carolinian professionals, would be honored to give you personal attention in this difficult time. We are prepared to step into your shoes and fight for a recovery equal to your family’s suffering.
Getting Started with a Jacksonville Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
With our extensive experience in workers’ compensation law in North Carolina and our caring, empathetic team, we are confident we can advocate on your behalf and protect your rights. Should you encounter any trouble with your employer or their insurance carrier, we are prepared to go to bat for you.
Whether your serious injuries healed or you’re now dealing with a permanent injury caused by a workplace accident, contact Whitley Law Firm to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Jacksonville workers’ compensation lawyers.
Call (800)785-5000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
