Charlotte Firefighter Injury Attorney
Firefighters have one of the most dangerous and essential jobs in the world. The Charlotte Fire Department responds to calls throughout the city every day, and firefighters maintain strict discipline to meet the demands of their job duties. Unfortunately, injuries are common in this line of work, and it’s essential to speak with a Charlotte firefighter injury lawyer if you have been injured on the job as a firefighter.
Representing Injured Firefighters in Charlotte, NC
The lawyers at The Sumwalt Group have extensive experience representing injured workers across various industries in their workers’ compensation claims. Both regular and volunteer firefighters can receive workers’ compensation if they are injured on the job, and we are ready to help you navigate the claim process if this has happened to you or a loved one in Charlotte. Our experience also includes supporting clients with cases involving first responder injury, emergency medical technician injury, and aviation worker injury.
Our team takes time to learn as much as possible about each client we represent. We learn how their injury has impacted their life and explore all avenues of recovery available to them. We know the various challenges you might encounter in the aftermath of your accident, and we know how to help you overcome them. Whether your case involves a spinal cord injury, a burn injury, or other serious conditions that could require long-term medical care, our goal is to help you secure maximum benefits with your workers compensation claim.
You have limited time to pursue your benefits, and it’s possible to encounter various challenges in your recovery efforts. It’s possible for your employer and/or their insurance carrier to dispute your claim in various ways. For example, some clients face denied workers’ compensation benefits, which can make recovery even harder. It’s crucial to hire a firefighter injury lawyer at your first opportunity to have the greatest chance of succeeding with your case. The Sumwalt Group is ready to provide the responsive and compassionate legal counsel you need in this situation.
Filing Your Workers’ Compensation Claim for a Firefighting Injury in Charlotte
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2023, there were about 68,600 nonfatal private sector workplace injuries throughout North Carolina, more than 41,000 of which were considered severe. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that in 2023, more than 63,000 firefighters throughout the United States were injured on the job. This includes not only burns and smoke inhalation but also repetitive stress injury from years of physically demanding service.
It’s possible for firefighters to suffer severe injuries from the obvious hazards of exposure to open flames, hot surfaces, and burning buildings. Injuries can also occur from smoke inhalation, vehicle accidents, and many other causes. Firefighters not only qualify to file workers’ compensation claims for traumatic injuries, but also for medical conditions they acquire gradually over time from performing their job duties. In more severe cases, families may also have grounds to pursue death benefits.
Once you have notified your employer of your injury, they must provide the materials needed to file your claim for workers’ compensation benefits. If you hire a firefighter injury lawyer to represent you, they can ensure that both your employer and their insurance company handle the claim in good faith. Your attorney can also determine whether you have the grounds to file a third-party claim that could yield additional compensation for your damages.
Ultimately, your case may be more complex than it appears at first, and if you hire a firefighter injury lawyer in Charlotte, you are more likely to reach a positive outcome. The team at The Sumwalt Group is ready to provide compassionate legal counsel through all stages of your legal proceedings, so reach out to us today and learn how we can assist you with your case.
Serving Clients Throughout
North Carolina
FAQs
No, you do not need to prove liability for a firefighter injury for workers’ compensation. This insurance operates on a no-fault basis, so you only need to prove that the injury happened while you were performing your job duties or as a direct result of your job duties to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. You will, however, need to prove fault if you intend to file a third-party personal injury case to seek additional compensation.
A third-party personal injury case is a civil claim for damages filed against the party who is directly responsible for causing your injury at work. Success with this case will require identifying the third party who caused the injury, proving how they caused it, and showing the full scope of the resulting damages. Additionally, you cannot have contributed to causing the injury; otherwise, you cannot claim compensation under the contributory negligence rule.
The amount you can receive in workers’ compensation benefits depends on the scope and severity of your injury. A successful workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina usually yields compensation for your medical expenses related to the injury as well as disability benefits for the time you cannot work while you recover. Additional benefits are sometimes possible, such as vocational rehabilitation if you must train for a new job.
No, workers’ compensation does not cover pain and suffering in North Carolina. However, if you have the grounds to file a third-party personal injury case, it is possible to recover compensation for pain and suffering as well as any other damages the defendant caused that are not covered by workers’ compensation insurance.
You should hire a firefighter injury lawyer to have a better chance of succeeding with your case. Even if the filing process appears straightforward, the reality is that you could encounter all types of unexpected complications that you will not know how to resolve without an attorney’s help. Your Charlotte firefighter injury attorney can help you resolve your case efficiently and maximize your benefits.
The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers has the skills, resources, and experience you want on your side after any type of injury at work in Charlotte. Injuries from firefighting have a high chance of causing long-term or even permanent effects, and it will be crucial for you to have legal counsel you trust as you navigate the workers’ compensation claim process. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Charlotte firefighter injury lawyer.