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If you suffered an injury on the job, you may be eligible for benefits under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act. This law requires most private employers in the state to offer workers’ compensation coverage to their employees. After an on-the-job injury, you can file a claim, and ideally, you will start receiving benefits covering your medical bills and compensating you for your lost wages.
However, the process often is not as smooth as it should be. Employers may deny claims even when they are legitimate. Speak with a Marion workers comp lawyer after an on-the-job injury to learn more about your options.
At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, our workers’ compensation attorneys in Marion will help you fight for compensation after a work injury. We will take on the insurance companies on your behalf. If your employer tries to deny your claim, we can push back and help get it approved. We do not charge a fee for workers’ compensation cases until our clients get paid, so there is never a risk in having us on your side.
To learn more about Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC (and to receive a free consultation with a member of our team today), call us at (828) 286-3866.
What to Do After an On-the-Job Injury
A work injury can be a scary experience. Not only can it leave you with severe bodily injuries and substantial pain, but it can throw the future of your career into jeopardy. If you have to miss work for an extended period while recovering, how will you get paid? What if you’re an independent contractor? How will your on-the-job injury affect your standing with your boss and employer? What if they try to deny your workers’ compensation claim, preventing you from collecting any compensation for your injury?
We get these questions all the time from clients, and we understand your fear and apprehension. Our job is to help you navigate the process with as few hiccups as possible so that you can focus on recovering and getting your life back.
One of the biggest mistakes people often make after an injury (whether on the job or off) is trying to face the insurance companies alone. Insurance companies have entire teams of well-paid and highly-trained employees whose entire jobs involve finding ways to pay victims less. Without years of training on esoteric insurance matters, it may be difficult to face these representatives and come out ahead.
That is where our Marion workers’ comp lawyers come in. We have a long track record of getting clients paid for on-the-job injuries. We can help you, too. To make the process as smooth as possible, always do the following after a work injury:
Notify Your Employer Right Away
You should file a report with your supervisor or human resources manager immediately after getting hurt at work. Any delay at all might be used by your employer and the insurance company to question whether the injury actually happened at work, potentially weakening your claim and making it easier for a denial to stand.
File a Form 18
A Form 18 is a workers’ compensation form that signifies an official filing of a claim with the North Carolina Industrial Commission. It will use the information on this form to investigate your injury and communicate with your employer as it decides whether to accept or deny your claim.
Consider Speaking with a Marion Workers’ Comp Lawyer
If your workers’ compensation claim gets denied—or if you have any reason to believe it will be—you may want to speak with a lawyer right away. Just because your employer denies your workers’ compensation claim, your case is not over. You have ways to push back against a denial and get the benefits to which you are entitled. Our team will help you with that process.
To discuss your legal options and what to expect from your workers’ compensation claim in Marion, call Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, today or contact us online.
The Reasons Employers Deny Workers’ Compensation Claims
Employers have very limited grounds on which they are allowed to deny workers’ compensation claims. Even if your on-the-job injury was the result of your own carelessness or negligence, it does not give your employer the right to deny your claim. For them to do so, they typically have to show that you were behaving with gross negligence or that you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of your injury.
The Marion workers’ comp lawyers at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, will help you fight either of those claims. The onus is on your employer to prove that you are ineligible for benefits because of your actions. We can fight any nonfactual claims on your behalf.
What Should I Do If My Employer Fails To Provide Workers’ Compensation?
Most states require businesses to carry workers’ compensation insurance. In North Carolina, companies that employ three or more people are legally required to have workers’ compensation coverage.
If a workplace accident occurs, non-insured employers could still be liable for paying medical and lost wage benefits to employees injured on the job. In some instances, an employee can file a negligence claim in the civil courts to recover damages after suffering an illness or injury at work.
We Help You Fight for Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation benefits typically include payment for current and future medical bills, as well as a portion of your lost wages. If your on-the-job injury was partly the fault of a third party, we can pursue a private lawsuit and seek workers’ compensation benefits for you. In a third-party lawsuit, we can ask for additional damages, such as pain and suffering.
While the compensation you could receive will largely depend on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of how you were hurt or became ill, common matters we support our clients with include cases involving:
- Permanent injury or loss of a body part
- Mental health or stress-related injuries
- Spinal cord and back injuries
- Serious bodily disfigurement
- Hearing loss or vision impairment or loss
- Permanent disability
- Loss of fingers, toes, or limbs
- Illnesses resulting from unreasonable exposure to occupational hazards or materials
- Repetitive stress injuries
We understand how difficult it is to be in this position. We also know you likely have concerns about missing time from work while paying bills and providing for your family. However your illness or injury occurred, our workers’ compensation lawyers are committed to supporting you at this difficult time and helping you get your life back on track.
Am I Eligible for Any Other Benefits if I Am Receiving Workers’ Compensation?
Receiving workers’ compensation benefits does not automatically make you ineligible for other financial support such as disability, unemployment, or social security. However, the benefits available under other programs may be affected by your workers’ compensation.
Can I Lose My Job if I Claim for Illness or Injury Against My Employer?
Many people worry about filing a workers’ compensation claim for fear of losing their jobs. Legally, your employer cannot fire you because you filed for workers’ compensation. They would need to demonstrate valid reasons for letting you go, which must be unrelated to your claim.
If you believe your employer has unfairly terminated you, our legal team can help. In some instances, you may have grounds to pursue a lawsuit to seek damages from your former employer.
Call Our Team for a Free Consultation Today
At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, we are deeply committed to ensuring our clients feel heard and supported when they choose us to represent them. We take the time to understand your needs, priorities, and expectations. Further, we are always responsive to your questions or concerns, while keeping you up-to-date with your case’s progression.
Our workers’ compensation lawyers are ready to get to work for you today. If you are having issues with a workers’ compensation claim in Marion, NC, we want to help. There is never a fee until we collect compensation for you. Reach out to us for a free consultation.
