Workers Comp Attorney Near Me
Workers have the right to a safe workplace, and not to feel threatened that they cannot report violations of their safety. Yet, it is not uncommon for workers to suffer serious injuries and financial loss when an employer fails to follow best practices.
Our workers comp attorney near me law firm at Ricci Law Firm can help you obtain benefits to help you through this difficult time in Raleigh, NC. We are here to help you. With years of experience and a passion for helping victims, you can trust us to guide you throughout the claims process. A personal injury attorney near you can assist with workplace injury and workers’ comp claims in Raleigh, Greenville, and the Fayetteville, NC area.
Why Trust Us As Your Coastal Plain Workers’ Comp Attorney?
Many cases of workers’ compensation are straightforward. You suffer an injury, receive medical care, and are back to work the next day, submitting a claim for your medical costs. However, in a serious accident, the risk is not receiving full compensation. When you are facing financial losses and long-term implications to your health and well-being, you will benefit from a workers’ comp attorney in Raleigh, NC.
When you choose Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyers, you benefit from:
- Exceptional legal representation with proven results. We do not make empty promises by seeking full compensation for all losses you incurred. You can trust us to work diligently to build a strong case for you.
- An advocate for workers’ rights. Victims of workplace injuries often face serious losses and then feel they cannot speak up for fear of losing their jobs. We aim to make sure you are never in that position.
- No cost to work with us out of your pocket. You do not pay any fees to our legal team. We only receive compensation if you win your case.
Even if you are not sure you have a claim, contact our workers’ comp attorney in Greenville for a free consultation. We will review your claim, gather information about what happened to complicate the process, and represent you throughout the process. Let us educate you about your rights under North Carolina’s workers’ compensation laws.
Determine If You Can File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in NC
One of the first steps our North Carolina workers’ comp attorney near you will take is determining if you are eligible for a claim. The law requires most employers to maintain coverage, which aims to minimize the risk of workers being hurt on the job through no fault of their own. However, there are several factors that contribute to whether or not you will be able to file a claim.
- Where were you hurt? You must have been hurt at the job or workplace, and you must have been engaging in activities related to your employment.
- How large is your company? Under North Carolina law, employers with at least three employees must maintain workers’ compensation.
- Did you notify the employer of your injury? All employees must notify their employer immediately of the injuries, or at least within the first 30 days.
If you meet these requirements, it is then possible for you to seek a claim for losses related to your injuries. Keep in mind that workers’ compensation laws make it impossible for you to file a claim for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. However, your case may be worth much more than just a medical bill or two. When you hire a workers’ compensation attorney near you in Raleigh, NC, you get that insight.
What Is a No-Fault Insurance System?
Workers’ compensation in North Carolina is a no-fault system. This means you do not have to prove the employer was negligent or at fault in the incident. If you were hurt on the job, the employer is responsible for paying for your losses as long as you were not acting intentionally.
How Can a Workers’ Comp Attorney Near Me Help Get Compensation?
As the victim of a workers’ compensation accident, you may have the legal right to compensation for the losses you can demonstrate. It is critical to know what benefits you are eligible for and what your right to compensation is under the state’s laws. Do not assume you will automatically receive any benefits.
Medical Expenses
Most victims of workers’ compensation accidents will receive coverage for all medical losses. This includes the cost of any care you received deemed necessary due to your injury. This may include:
- Emergency medical care
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Hospitalizations
- Surgeries and other treatments
- Medications
- Co-pays and other out-of-pocket expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Emotional therapy and support
- Follow-up appointments
This includes any type of care determined necessary to help you fully recover from your injuries. Do not go back to work until your doctor approves you to do so. You also need to work with a workers’ compensation attorney near you in Greenville, NC if you are facing financial strain and demands for medical payment from doctors.
Disability Benefits
Many victims qualify for disability benefits, or compensation that is paid while you are out of work in recovery. If you cannot work at all, you will be eligible to recover up to 66% of your average weekly wages. This is paid to you in the form of a weekly check. It does not cover all of your wages, but the average from the last several months.
You will be able to continue to receive disability benefits until you are able to go back to work. There is a cap on the number of weeks you can receive benefits, which is based on the type of impairment rating given to you by the workers’ compensation board.
You may be able to return to work slowly, or your employer may be required to provide you with accommodations that make it possible for you to work even if you cannot do so to the fullest level you were. Work with your employer here, but also be conscious of your limitations. You do not want to risk further injury or losses to your health because you went back to work too early. Seek out the help of our workers’ compensation attorney near you in Raleigh, Greenville, or Fayetteville, NC if you are unsure of when or if you should go back to work.
Additional Training and Support
Many victims of workers’ compensation accidents suffer injuries that limit their ability to go back to the same job they were doing. You may have injuries that do not fully heal, and the type of physical work you were doing is just not possible to handle.
In these situations, workers’ compensation may pay for vocational training or other forms of education and training to help you gain new skills. This may allow you to find gainful employment. If you believe that you would benefit from this type of benefit, let our workers’ compensation attorney help you demonstrate the benefits to the workers’ compensation board.
You Need a NC Workers’ Comp Attorney Near You for Denials
Unfortunately, it is very common for workers’ compensation to deny the claims of victims who rightfully are owed compensation. Many times, this is due to mistakes or delays in the process that put your claim in jeopardy, and that means you are suffering losses you should not be. Our experienced workers’ comp lawyer near Raleigh, Greenville, and Fayetteville, NC can help you navigate what happens after a denial and what steps you can take to recover damages fairly, even if you were told no.
Determine Why the Workers’ Compensation Claim Was Denied
Our first step is to determine why you were denied. This allows our attorney to then build a case and claim to resolve that issue. There are several reasons why workers’ compensation denials occur in the Coastal Plains area. You should be given a reason at the time, often in a written document that outlines why the board made the decision they made.
Some of the most common reasons we see for denial of workers’ compensation benefits include:
- You are claiming injuries from pre-existing conditions
- You did not notify your employer of your injury within the required 30 days after the accident
- The workers’ compensation company believes that your injuries do not impact your ability to do your job
- You do not have medical evidence from a reputable licensed medical doctor documenting your injuries
- The insurance company believes you were negligent in the incident or acted in an intentional manner
- You cannot demonstrate that you were hurt while working
- You were under the influence of drugs or alcohol when the incident took place
- The workers’ compensation company believes you were in violation of the company’s code of conduct, which caused your injuries
Sometimes the reasons are simple errors in the documentation. Other times, you must prove that a lack of evidence does not limit your right to compensation. When you hire our workers’ comp attorney near you, you gain the knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges.
The Importance of a Workers’ Comp Attorney for an Appeal
In incidents where you are faced with appealing the denial of workers’ compensation, hiring a lawyer to guide you is critical. You do not get endless numbers of appeals, and you want to go into that first incident with the best information possible to overturn the denial decision.
Your attorney will help you prepare for the appeal process by determining why your claim failed and finding evidence to refute that claim. It is possible to overturn an initial denial if you have the evidence necessary to demonstrate this process.
Once your attorney does this, the appeal is then filed with the North Carolina Industrial Commission, which oversees workers’ compensation claims in the state. They ultimately determine if you can receive benefits. If that organization denies your claim, you have another level of support available. You can take your case to the North Carolina Supreme Court in situations where you believe you were denied compensation without due cause. Having an attorney to guide you through this process is critical.
Types of Workers’ Compensation Accidents We Handle
Our legal team at Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyers, has extensive experience fighting for fair compensation in all types of work-related injuries. If you were hurt at work, do not wait to contact a workers’ comp attorney near you for help with injuries such as:
- Back injuries
- Electrocution injuries
- Injuries related to car accidents
- Construction site injuries
- Carpal tunnel injuries
- Law enforcement and police injuries
- Factory and warehouse-related injuries
- Worker illness
- Mesothelioma losses
- Chemical exposure
- Falls from heights
In each of these situations, we will examine the evidence of what happened and why the incident occurred. In situations where there is a lack of safety or non-compliance with OSHA rules, it can lead to legal action against the company and fines. What is most important is knowing your rights.
What Happens When Someone Else Causes Your Injuries?
In some situations, workers’ comp injuries occur as a result of a third party’s actions or inaction. For example, if a contractor on a job site created unsafe work conditions and that is what led to your injury, you may be able to file a lawsuit against that party for the injuries you have. In third-party claims like this, you are not seeking workers’ compensation but a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. That could mean you have the right to compensation for pain and suffering as well.
If you believe another party caused your injuries, not your employer, do not make any statements to your employer or workers’ compensation claim. Instead, speak to your lawyer first. Let us help you build a claim that fits your case.
Schedule a Free Consultation with our Workers Comp Attorney Near Me Law Firm
I need a workers’ compensation lawyer near you now! As the victim of a worker injury or illness, you have the legal right to take action for the losses you suffered. At Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we provide the legal representation you need to hold those who did this pay. Call today to schedule a free consultation.