Every year, millions of workers are injured on the job or struggle with serious and life-threatening occupational diseases. Seek legal help if you suffer an injury or illness at work. Let a New Bern workers’ compensation lawyer help you pursue damages for your medical treatments and similar losses.
The Whitley Law Firm has more than 120 years of combined legal experience on staff. Our personal injury lawyers serving New Bern fight for workers who are seriously injured or ill and want workers’ comp benefits for their medical treatments, lost wages, and more. Discuss your legal options with our workers’ compensation attorneys.
Who Is Eligible for Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, businesses that have more than three employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage. Or, they must be self-insured. Generally, employees eligible for workers’ compensation coverage include:
- Independent contractors
- Employees of subcontractors
- Seasonal or temporary workers
- Part-time workers
Suppose you are dealing with a work-related injury or illness. In that case, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier may be required to provide you with money for your medical treatments and other losses. The Whitley Law Firm can teach you about North Carolina’s workers’ compensation laws — schedule a consultation with our team.
For a free legal consultation with a workers' compensation lawyer serving New Bern, call (800)785-5000
What to Expect From Our New Bern Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
In terms of how to find a good workers’ compensation lawyer, expect challenges during your search. Fortunately, our workers’ compensation lawyers serving New Bern simplify the search process. We provide comprehensive legal advice and guidance and help workers who have sustained catastrophic injuries or illnesses, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Cancer
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations
- Loss of hearing or sight
- Organ damage
- Extensive burns
- Nerve damage
- Neurological damage
- Disfigurement
- Permanent injuries
- Knee injuries
We pursue damages that account for your quantifiable and subjective losses. At the conclusion of your case, we want to have secured an outcome that helps you rebuild. We’re here for you each step of the way throughout your litigation.
New Bern Workers' Compensation Lawyer Near Me (800)785-5000
New Bern Workers’ Compensation Legal Services That We Provide
If you need evidence, we can investigate the details of your case. Alternatively, if an insurance company’s claims adjuster is pressuring you to settle, we take care of all necessary communications. When you entrust your case to the Whitley Law Firm, our workers’ compensation attorneys serving New Bern will:
- Complete and file all appropriate workers’ comp forms
- Identify and meet all deadlines
- Negotiate with your employer’s insurance company for the full and fair compensation settlement you deserve
- Explain what benefits you can receive
- Gather case-related medical records
- Fight for the appropriate disability rating
- Engage medical experts to ascertain your future needs
- Track and note all injury-related expenses
- Represent your best interests with the NC Industrial Commission
- Prepare for your trial and represent you in court as needed
We understand what types of injuries are covered by workers’ compensation in NC and adapt our legal services to your specific needs. With workers’ compensation claims, our clients deserve the best legal representation. No matter where you are in the claims process, we’re here to support your interests and advocate for you.
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Damages Our Workers’ Comp Lawyers Can Recover for You
We understand the documents needed for a workers’ compensation claim to show you deserve compensation for your medical costs and other damages. Our workers’ comp lawyers will request the most damages possible on your behalf. Based on the severity of your illness or injury, damages you can receive include:
Medical Care
Per the North Carolina Industrial Commission, you can recover the full cost of your necessary healthcare expenses after suffering a job-related injury. This includes coverage for treatment, surgery, rehab, medications, equipment, and physical therapy. We will use receipts and other documentation to show you should get compensation for your medical care.
Lost Income
Workers’ compensation does not cover the full cost of your lost income. According to the North Carolina Industrial Commission, you can get 66 2/3% (or two-thirds) of your average weekly wage, up to $978 a week, in workers’ compensation benefits for lost income. You can receive partial repayment for your lost wages until you return to work.
Disability
Severe injuries or illnesses can affect you for an extended period of time. They can make it impossible for you to return to work or work in the same capacity you once did. The amount of compensation you receive and the length of time you receive it will depend on your previous salary and the extent of your disability.
Death Benefits
The Whitley Law Firm extends its deepest condolences if you lost a loved one. During this challenging time, we offer a shoulder to lean on. That being said, if you lost a loved one, you could receive compensation for their funeral and burial expenses and other death benefits.
As noted, compensation amounts are tied to your circumstances, including your loved one’s salary and their fatal injury. Our attorneys will walk you through the process for workers’ compensation claims in North Carolina. We’ll also provide you with insights into what economic and non-economic damages you can recover.
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Can I Recover Non-Economic Damages Through a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
While workers’ compensation is an invaluable program, it doesn’t cover pain and suffering and other non-economic damages. Recovering these damages can be difficult. If another party’s negligence led to your work-related injury or illness, you can file a personal injury claim and get compensation for many reasons, including:
- Current and future healthcare expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage costs (if applicable)
- Disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
Based on North Carolina General Statutes § 1-52, you have up to three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. For a workers’ comp claim or wrongful death lawsuit, the time frame in which you can request damages is two years. Work with an attorney who understands workers’ compensation law, and they can submit your claim or lawsuit promptly.
Our Lawyers Can Advise You on Whether to Accept a Workers’ Comp Settlement Offer
A serious workplace injury or illness puts a heavy burden on you and your family. So, an insurance company may offer a settlement, and you may want to accept it. Yet, approving the first settlement could leave you in a tough spot financially if it doesn’t fully cover your losses.
You don’t have to go into settlement negotiations blindfolded. With the Whitley Law Firm at your side, you get an advocate, friend, and ally. We can examine a settlement offer and advise you on how to proceed with it and determine if you can pursue additional damages for medical expenses or other costs you incur through a personal injury lawsuit.
If your injuries are rated 100% disability, you may be offered a structured payment that may extend over your lifetime. In this scenario, you will receive payments on a schedule that depends on the nature of your condition. There are pros and cons to each type of payment that your attorney will discuss with you before you sign a final agreement.
Questions Our Workers’ Compensation Team Gets About Personal Injury Injury Cases
You want maximum compensation for your medical treatments and other expenses relating to your workplace injury or illness. Our team works diligently to help you secure the compensation you want. As part of our efforts, we have provided answers to common questions about eligibility for workers’ compensation and similar topics below.
What Happens if I Contribute to My Job-Related Injury or Illness?
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system. Even if you contributed to the accident, you can still seek benefits through a workers’ comp claim. Matters change if you’re interested in filing a personal injury case.
North Carolina’s personal injury system operates on a pure comparative negligence rule. If you contributed to a workplace accident that caused you to suffer an injury or illness, you cannot seek damages. Issues regarding fault and liability can derail even straightforward injury claims, but our lawyers are here to help you out.
Our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys in New Bern understand the intricacies of state and federal laws. We know what it takes to pursue lost wage compensation and other damages. Therefore, we will do what is necessary to help you get full damages as quickly as possible.
How Long Can I Get Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
You can receive temporary total and partial disability benefits for up to 500 weeks. Depending on the nature of your injury or illness, you could receive benefits for life. We can talk more about accepted workers’ benefits you can seek for your medical treatments and other costs when we review your case in depth.
How Long Do I Have to Notify Your Employer About a Work-Related Injury or Illness?
You may have 30 days from the date of your accident to notify your employer of your accident and condition. This is a strict deadline. If you wait too long, you could lose the right to seek benefits.
Our New Bern Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Provide Support and Encouragement Throughout Your Litigation
Ultimately, the workers’ compensation claim process can be tricky. Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier may do everything within its power to contest your claim. To get additional compensation for your medical treatments and other losses, request legal assistance from a workers’ comp attorney.
The Whitley Law Firm proudly serves the New Bern community. We give you the Whitley Advantage, as our lawyers commit time and resources to craft a compelling argument for you and put you in a position to get the damages you need to recover from your work injury or illness. Request a consultation with our attorneys.
Call (800)785-5000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
