Greensboro Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Greensboro, NC

If you have been hurt on the job in Greensboro or the surrounding areas, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under North Carolina law. This no-fault system is designed to make sure injured workers get coverage for damages like medical costs, lost income, and rehabilitation. A Greensboro workers’ compensation lawyer from The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers can help you navigate the complex and sometimes frustrating processes to access these benefits.

Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Greensboro at The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers

At The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers, our dedicated team of attorneys has 45 years of combined experience in workers’ compensation cases, earned across hundreds of claims, trials, and hearings. We work hard to support injured workers in seeking the benefits they need from the state’s workers’ compensation system. When you are hurt on the job, our attorneys can pursue the benefits you need to recover, rest, and support yourself and your loved ones.

Our knowledgeable team deeply understands the obstacles workers can face, especially in high-risk industries, like manufacturing and healthcare, which are prominent in the area. We also understand how frustrating it can be to navigate the workers’ comp system after an injury. If you need help filing a claim or are facing a denial, our firm has the skills and resources to pursue all you deserve.

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How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Greensboro, NC

There are stringent procedures and strict deadlines associated with filing a workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina.

To protect your rights, be sure to do the following:

• Let your employer know: You have 30 days to file a written report with your employer about your accident and injury. It is advised that you provide informal notice immediately and file the written notice as soon as possible. Your employer will then need to file an injury report with their workers’ compensation insurance provider. Neither the injury report nor your written report is the same as filing a workers’ compensation claim.
• Access medical treatment: It’s crucial to look after your own health immediately. If it is an emergency, get the care you need. If it is not an emergency, determine where you should get medical care. Your employer or workers’ compensation insurance carrier will need to make sure the doctor you go to is authorized for your treatment. If you are not in agreement with the diagnosis given by the physician assigned by your employer, you have the right to request a second opinion.
• File your claim with the NCIC: Be sure to thoroughly and accurately complete Form 18, Notice of Accident to Employer and Claim of Employee. You can submit the form either by mail or online to the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC). Employers will be required to submit Form 19, which is another accident report, but from their perspective.

In 2024, there were 23 severe workplace injury reports in North Carolina made to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and 11 fatalities occurred in workplace incidents. Sadly, one of these workplace fatalities took place in Greensboro.

A dedicated workers’ compensation attorney from The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers can guide you throughout the workers’ compensation claims process. We can work to seek quick and efficient access to the benefits you deserve.

What Are Important Deadlines for Employers and Employees in Workers’ Compensation Claims?

After an incident on the worksite that causes substantial injuries, both employees and employers have important deadlines and time limits to consider. Some of these include:

• The 30-day window employees have to provide a written report of the accident and their injuries
• The deadline that employers have to report an injury or illness to their workers’ compensation insurance company, which is immediately
• The five-day deadline employers have to report an employee’s injury to the NCIC once told of the injury if it:
  • Causes either $4,000 or more in medical care
  • Requires over a day away from work
• The 14-day deadline employers have to either accept and begin paying a claim or deny the claim and inform the NCIC, after you have provided written notice
• The two-year statute of limitations employees have to file their workers’ compensation claims with the NCIC or be barred from financial recovery

Missing these deadlines as an employee can prevent you from recovering the benefits you would otherwise be owed. Missing these deadlines as an employer can lead to administrative penalties or more severe consequences. It’s important that you have legal representation who can meet deadlines and know when the other party is not meeting their obligations.

If your claim is accepted, it’s important to know that you might not receive all your benefits immediately. Except for payments for your medical bills and treatment, benefits for a disability have a seven-day waiting period. This means your wage replacement does not start for seven days. The only exception is that the benefits start immediately if you will miss more than 21 days of work.

What to Do If Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for workers’ compensation claims to be denied in Greensboro and across the state. Insurance companies may claim that medical evidence is insufficient or question whether the injury or illness was actually related to the job. Insurance companies and employers alike may try to leverage tactics to avoid paying out the benefits they are liable for.

If you’re facing a claim denial, you have legal options. A dedicated attorney can help you request a hearing with the NCIC to get an official review of your case.

Your attorney can also obtain additional evidence to build up your side of the story and present a more compelling argument. This includes professional evaluations, witness statements, and medical documentation. They can appeal the denial and negotiate a just settlement on your behalf, all while protecting your rights and financial interests.

Our compassionate law firm has seen many workers get discouraged and give up after being denied. If this is your case, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to manage your claim alone. Our team has the experience and knowledge to develop a robust case and optimize your benefits.

Workers’ Compensation Hearings in North Carolina

If you’re dealing with a dispute about your claim, your case may be heard by NCIC deputy commissioners. As there is no NCIC office in Greensboro, claimants may need to travel to Raleigh, Charlotte, or Wilmington to participate in hearings. They can also potentially do so virtually.

A detail-oriented attorney from our firm can assist you with collecting evidence, preparing for your hearing, and representing you before the commission to defend your rights.

Why Work With a Greensboro Workers’ Compensation Attorney From Our Firm?

Working through the process to secure your workers’ compensation benefits on your own can be overwhelming and discouraging. When you hire a workers’ compensation lawyer, it makes it easier for you, especially when you work with a dedicated, compassionate, and experienced attorney.

At The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers, we understand how important it is for you to access crucial benefits, like medical coverage and income supplementation, during your recovery time. Our team can simplify the process of accessing benefits for you, using our years of experience to provide comprehensive support and answer your questions.

Specifically, we offer the following:

• Demonstrated success record: For years, we have successfully helped workers across North Carolina get the optimal benefits they are entitled to during their recovery time. While our past results cannot guarantee a future outcome for your case, they show how fiercely we work for our clients to pursue the support they need.
• No payment upfront: Our team works on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay for our services unless we get results for you.
• Fierce advocacy: We do not shy away from aggressive representation. Our firm can work hard to make sure you get the wage benefits and medical treatment you’re entitled to.
• Tailored support: Our team is both results-oriented and client-focused. We can develop legal strategies that are specific to your case. Our firm believes in communicating frequently and directly. That way, you can be aware of updates in your case and have ways to respond to them.

If you have been hurt on the job, you don’t have to deal with insurance companies alone. We can advocate for you, as we have already done for hundreds of workers across the state.

Third-Party Liability Claims for Workplace Injuries

Although workers’ compensation allows injured employees to access crucial benefits for lost income and medical costs, it blocks them from filing a claim against their employer for further damages, like pain and suffering.

In some situations, however, a third party may be responsible for the accident that caused your injuries. In such a case, you could be entitled to a personal injury claim against them in parallel with your workers’ compensation claim.

Examples of third-party liability workplace accidents in Greenville include the following:

• If you got hurt in a work-related motor vehicle accident caused by another driver, you could file a claim against the other driver.
• When a third-party contractor on your construction site contributed to an unsafe working environment, they could be held liable.
• If your condition or injury was caused by toxic chemical exposure, you could hold the chemical manufacturer accountable.
• When defective equipment caused your injuries, the manufacturer or designer could potentially be held liable.

If a third party could have contributed to your workplace injury, our workers’ compensation attorneys can look into your case details. After a thorough review, we can determine whether you may have grounds for a personal injury claim.

FAQs

What Is Workers’ Compensation, and How Does It Work in North Carolina?

Workers’ compensation in North Carolina is an insurance program mandated by the state. It enables workers who’ve been hurt on the job or suffered from a work-related condition to receive coverage for the associated medical costs and lost income. Most employers with three or more employees are required to have workers’ compensation insurance in the state. A knowledgeable attorney can explain the legal mechanics of the program.

Does Greensboro Have a Local Workers’ Compensation Office?

No, the North Carolina Industrial Commission does not have a local workers’ compensation office in Greensboro. Deputy commissioners will handle cases through the Raleigh, Charlotte, and Wilmington offices. City employees in Greensboro, however, can gain access to services for workers’ compensation through the City of Greensboro’s Medical Services unit. A local attorney can help you navigate Greensboro workers’ comp cases.

How Do I Verify If My Employer Has Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

You can verify whether your employer has workers’ compensation insurance by visiting the NCIC insurance coverage search website. A Greensboro work injury lawyer can also carry out an in-depth search to determine whether your employer has adequate coverage. If not, they can assist you with filing a claim and advocating on your behalf for optimal compensation. If your employer is not covered, they can examine your legal options and determine what to do next.

Where Can City Employees of Greensboro Get Workers’ Comp Medical Care?

City employees of Greensboro can get workers’ compensation medical care through the City of Greensboro’s Medical Services unit. This group provides services such as:

• Treatment for injuries in the workplace
• Periodic and pre-employment physical examinations
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) administration
• Post-accident drug screening

These services are only available to city employees and retirees, not workers in general throughout the area.

What Industries Have the Most Workplace Injuries in Greensboro?

Industries that have the most workplace injuries in Greensboro are the manufacturing and healthcare industries. Specific injuries include:

• Heavy machinery accidents in industrial settings
• Slip and falls in nursing homes, clinics, or hospitals
• Repetitive motion and strain in factories

While some industries are more dangerous than others, all workers in Greensboro and across the country are at risk of being injured on the job.

Learn About Your Legal Options With a Greensboro Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Whether your hand was lacerated in a heavy machinery accident or you’ve fallen from scaffolding on a construction site, you are likely reeling from significant physical, financial, and emotional damages. Therefore, it is crucial to get the compensation you’re entitled to.

Contact a Greensboro workers’ compensation lawyer from The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers today to schedule your consultation. We can discuss your case in detail and explain your options.