Your North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
Getting hurt at work happens across all job industries. Work accidents can lead to stressful and painful physical impairments. You may not know how you will afford your medical expenses, especially while being unable to work and support your family. If you suffered a work-related injury, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to pay for these expenses and others.
Navigating The Challenges Of Workplace Injuries
We represent clients in injury claims resulting from accidents or hazardous conditions, assist with occupational illnesses linked to workplace exposures, and guide individuals through the appeals process for denied claims.
Additionally, we pursue third-party claims for further compensation and help clients navigate eligibility for both temporary and permanent disability benefits, ensuring they receive the financial support necessary for their recovery.
Who Is Eligible For Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina?
If You Can Answer "YES" To The Following Questions You May Be Eligible For Workers’ Comp In North Carolina:
- Were you injured on the job/at your workplace?
- Did you report the injury to your employer orally and in writing immediately and in any event within 30 days?
- Does your employer have at least 3 employees?
- Does your employer carry workers’ comp insurance?
Sometimes workers get pushback from their employer when they shouldn’t. Most employees across the state are eligible for workers’ comp benefits. If you think you’re being wrongfully denied benefits, contact our workers’ compensation lawyers for help.
Because workers’ comp is a no-fault system of insurance, you don’t have to prove someone else was at fault for the incident that injured you; but you must have sustained the injury while performing your job, even if it involved a car accident while driving a company vehicle. An employer who does not carry this insurance but who is supposed to may be breaking the law and subject to severe penalties.
Your Work Injury Consultation at Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyers
With over 150+ years of combined experience, consulting our attorneys immediately after an injury or development of illness can help us build a case for the maximum benefits you are entitled to under no-fault work injury insurance. We offer detailed advice on each step in the claims filing or appeals process and even offer suggestions on the proper specialists and medical doctors to see for treatment.
As part of the workers compensation claims process, the insurance company many request that you submit to an independent medical exam (IME) by the physician of their choice. By law, you’ll be required to do so if you hope to have your claim approved, as the insurer will be within their legal rights to deny your claim for such a refusal.
Once you have completed your exam, you’ll likely be wondering what you should expect next for your work comp claim. Below, we discuss what will happen immediately following your IME and how to go about pursuing an appeal if your claim was denied.
A Review of the Physician’s Report
The physician who conducted your IME will be sending their findings over to the insurance company for review. Hopefully, the doctor will recognize how serious your injuries are and why you should be out of work while you recover.
Then, the insurance adjuster will use this supporting medical documentation to make a decision in your case. If your claim is approved, shortly thereafter you’ll begin collecting your benefits. If not, you and your lawyer will need to prepare your work compensation appeal.
Appealing a Denied Work Comp Claim
The appeals process is relatively straightforward. You’ll file your appeal with the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC). A hearing will be scheduled, and your attorney will plead your case before the commissioner. Your employer and their insurer will then have the chance for a rebuttal, and your denial will either be overturned or upheld.
It isn’t uncommon for insurance companies to request that their claimants be independently evaluated, just as it isn’t uncommon for the insurer to deny the claim of a well-deserving claimant. If you receive a denial, you can rest assured that your attorney will do everything possible to >obtain the benefits> you deserve.
Workers’ Compensation FAQs
There are many details that go into workers’ compensation cases. Getting a workers’ comp claim approved can be quite complicated for those who are also dealing with the consequences of the injuries or illness they suffered due to their work environment.
For this reason, we have compiled a few of the most common questions our clients have had regarding their North Carolina workers’ compensation cases. Read on to learn more about the specifics of workers’ compensation benefits in our state.
Being injured at work is a difficult thing to go through. You know you deserve the benefits that workers’ compensation can give you, e...
Reach Out to a North Carolina Workers Comp Lawyer
If you are interested in protecting your workman’s comp rights throughout the IME process, or if you need legal representation so you can appeal a denial you received, schedule a free consultation with a North Carolina workers compensation lawyer at Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyers, P.A.
You can reach us by phone at (252) 777-2222 or through the contact form at the bottom of this page to take the first step in securing your work comp approval.