Winston-Salem Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you have been injured at work, you may be wondering how the workers’ compensation system operates.
Your workers’ compensation lawyer in Winston-Salem can help guide you through the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim, obtaining the funds you need to pay your medical bills and make up for lost wages due to your injury or accident, and ensuring that your employer does not retaliate against you.
What is Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina?
The workers’ compensation structure in North Carolina was established to protect both employers and employees when a work-related injury or accident occurs.
Victims benefit because they are not required to prove that the employer’s negligent or dangerous conduct caused the injury. Regardless of who was at fault, most workers who are hurt on the job can obtain the compensation they need to pay their bills.
Employers benefit from the workers’ compensation system because there is typically a limit to the amount of damages employers can be held responsible for.
What are the Recoverable Damages in a Workers’ Compensation Case?
Damages in Winston-Salem workers’ compensation claims are typically limited to obtaining compensation for medical bills, medication costs, future treatment needs, and lost wages due to temporary or permanent disability.
Barring special circumstances, workers are not usually awarded punitive damages in workers compensation cases.
However, if you believe that your employer’s conduct that resulted in your injury was especially egregious, your Winston-Salem workers’ compensation attorney can advise whether any additional compensation may be available to you.
Common Types of Workers’ Compensation Claims
Workers’ compensation claims can stem from many types of work-related injuries and accidents. Almost all employment industries experience employee-involved accidents or repetitive strain injuries of some sort. High-risk industries where workers come in contact with dangerous or toxic substances, or operate hazardous equipment generally experience more on-the-job or injuries, but employees who work desk jobs or in office environments can be injured as well.
Some common work-related injuries our firm handles include, but are not limited to:
- Slip and fall injuries
- Falls from a great height
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Construction equipment accidents
- Being hit with a falling or flying object
- Exposure to toxins, fumes, or chemicals
- Burns, fires, and explosions
- Repetitive strain or motion injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Psychological and emotional stress
- Violence in the workplace
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Eye injuries
- Damage to hearing
How a Winston-Salem Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help
Some employers are more supportive of their injured employees than others, but no matter how well your employer treats you following an accident or injury, it is important to have an experienced Winston-Salem workers’ compensation attorney by your side to protect your rights throughout the claims process.
Your workers’ compensation lawyer will be able to look out for your best interests. He or she can help you navigate the system from the very beginning, including filing the appropriate paperwork, keeping an eye on statutory deadlines, negotiating with your employer, preparing you for the workers’ compensation claims hearing, and helping you pursue an appeal if your claim is initially denied.
In addition, your Winston-Salem workers’ compensation lawyer can help ensure that you are not treated differently at work, harassed, demoted, or fired as a result of your claim.
While seeking workers’ compensation can be daunting for an employee, you deserve to have the funds you are owed in order to recoup your financial losses.
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