Charlotte Pilot Injury Attorney
Pilots visiting Charlotte Douglas International Airport have demanding jobs, and it is possible for pilots of commercial and private aircraft to sustain all types of injuries from their work. If you work in aviation and have suffered any type of injury while flying, it is vital to consult a Charlotte pilot injury lawyer at your first opportunity. They can determine your most viable options for recovering compensation in this difficult situation.
Representing Injured Pilots in Charlotte, NC
The team at The Sumwalt Group has more than 50 combined years of experience representing injured workers in all industries in the Charlotte area. While the risks of piloting may include fatal injuries from crashes and other catastrophic accidents, it is also possible for nonfatal injuries to occur in many ways. Pilots can also acquire various adverse medical conditions over time from performing their job duties, including repetitive stress injury, spinal cord injury, or a serious shoulder injury that can interfere with their ability to fly safely.
In North Carolina, almost every private sector employer is required to have workers’ compensation insurance, and this insurance covers most regular employees. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2023, there were about 68,600 nonfatal private sector injuries throughout North Carolina, and more than 41,000 of these were considered severe. After any injury from work, whether it involves a pilot injury, a mechanic injury, or even an aviation worker injury, the victim needs to know their rights when it comes to claiming benefits.
Our team will help you navigate the workers’ compensation claim process, resolve any unexpected complications that arise, ensure you receive a fair determination of benefits, and help you pursue additional compensation with a third-party personal injury claim if there are grounds to do so. For example, pilots injured due to a defective aircraft component may face denied workers’ compensation benefits at first, but could also pursue recovery through third-party liability. Our goal in every case is maximum compensation for our client and to help them resolve their case as swiftly as possible.
Filing Your Workers’ Compensation Claim in Charlotte
After you have sustained any type of work-related injury in Charlotte, you should report the injury to your supervisor so you can begin the process of filing for workers’ compensation claim benefits. As long as your injury is serious enough to cause you to miss work, you are likely eligible to receive benefits. It’s a good idea to hire a pilot injury lawyer who can help you navigate this potentially difficult process.
You will likely be required to undergo a medical evaluation to determine your remaining functional capacity as part of the claim process. A workers’ compensation doctor will examine you and assign a disability rating based on the overall severity of the injury and the scope of its effects. This rating will then determine how much you could receive in disability benefits.
It is also possible for you to have grounds to file a third-party personal injury case if someone outside of your work is directly responsible for causing your injury. For example, if you suffered an injury while flying due to a defective product, or if you were injured in an assault by a passenger, you could have grounds to file a third-party personal injury case and seek compensation for damages that workers’ compensation insurance won’t cover.
Ultimately, your case may be more challenging than it appears at first, so it’s crucial to have legal counsel you trust on your side. An experienced Charlotte pilot injury lawyer at The Sumwalt Group can help you make sense of your legal options and secure the benefits you need to recover. Reach out to our firm at the first possible opportunity to learn how we can help.
Serving Clients Throughout
North Carolina
FAQs
No, usually, you do not need to prove fault in a workers’ compensation claim. This insurance functions on a no-fault basis in North Carolina, so proving fault will only be a concern in your case if you have the grounds to file a third-party personal injury suit. Your Charlotte pilot injury lawyer can review the details of your situation and determine whether you will need to prove fault to claim compensation for damages.
The amount you can receive in workers’ compensation benefits will include complete coverage of your medical expenses as well as disability benefits when you cannot work while you recover. Additionally, if you will not be able to return to your job due to the injury, your employer’s insurance policy may provide vocational rehabilitation benefits that would pay for new job training.
If you caused your own injury at work, you should still qualify to receive workers’ compensation benefits as long as the injury happened while you were doing your job in good faith. However, if the facts show that you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol or that you intentionally violated workplace safety rules, these factors could be used against you and would disqualify you from claiming benefits.
No, workers’ compensation insurance does not pay for pain and suffering. It is possible, however, to claim pain and suffering compensation with a third-party personal injury case if you have the grounds to file one. Your Charlotte pilot injury lawyer can help you determine whether you have any avenue to claim compensation for damages that workers’ compensation won’t cover.
You should hire a pilot injury lawyer to have a better chance of succeeding with your recovery efforts. The right attorney can help you make sense of your legal options and navigate the legal proceedings ahead of you with confidence and peace of mind. You are not only more likely to succeed with your recovery efforts but also more likely to maximize your total compensation if you have a Charlotte pilot injury lawyer representing you.
Any type of injury sustained while working as a pilot has the potential to be life-changing in several ways. The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers have extensive experience representing injured workers in various industries, and we know the unique challenges that pilots often face in their workers’ compensation claims. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation with a Charlotte pilot injury lawyer to learn how we can assist with your recovery.