Wilmington Healthcare Worker Injury Lawyer

Healthcare Worker Injury Attorney in Wilmington, NC

Employees in the healthcare industry take enormous risks each and every day in the ways they help others. Their normal tasks and routines often pose serious threats to their safety and well-being. While such tasks are “normal” parts of a healthcare professional’s job, each healthcare employee is still legally entitled to compensation for any and all injuries. A Wilmington healthcare worker injury lawyer can help you achieve fair compensation.

When to Notify Your Employer

In North Carolina, employees injured on the job must provide written notice of injury to their employer within 30 days of the incident. For example, an employee of Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center would need to provide written notice to their direct supervisor within the same facility.

Failure to report the injury within this time frame can have a significant impact on your ability to receive any form of compensation, no matter how serious your injuries may be.

Some exceptions may be made in cases where a person is not aware of their injuries until after this time frame has passed, but such exceptions are not guaranteed. In 2024, the U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 64,200 non-fatal workplace injuries within private businesses in the United States. Many such injuries occur days, weeks, and sometimes months before the injured person is aware of any pain or discomfort.

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Recovery

Once you have notified your employer, it is crucial to remain in contact with your healthcare provider. They can help make sure your bills are treated as a workers’ compensation claim. To receive compensation, it is also vital to follow all medical directions and advice from your healthcare provider.

Occupational Diseases

The policy on how and when to report occupational diseases varies slightly from that for other workplace injuries. The Workers’ Compensation Act declares that compensation for occupational diseases may be restricted unless the affected employee files a claim with the Industrial Commission within 2 years after the death or disability.

For diseases and injuries resulting from radiation, this 2-year time frame begins at the point at which the employee first noticed signs and symptoms of injury or should reasonably have known they had suffered injury from radiation treatment.

In 2024, the North Carolina Department of Labor reported 97 workplace inspections for various health hazards. Illnesses, different from injuries, accounted for 6.5% of reported workplace injury cases in the U.S. in 2024. Even with inspections underway, numerous healthcare workers still sustain injuries from routine work-related activities.

Exceptions

For employees who have been exposed to asbestos, silicosis, or lead poisoning, an exception is often made to the time frame for filing a claim to receive compensation. A claim due to exposure to the above-mentioned elements will be reviewed in the context of the time frame in which the affected person was made aware of their condition.

FAQs

What Is a Common Injury for Healthcare Workers?

Some common injuries that healthcare workers experience include overexertion and muscular injuries that result from lifting and moving patients. Transferring patients is a typical workday task performed by many healthcare workers, which can strain back, shoulder, and leg muscles and can also sprain bones, such as wrists and ankles. Such injuries are often eligible for workers’ compensation.

Is It Difficult for a Healthcare Worker to Receive Workers’ Comp?

Healthcare workers are among those who are at a high risk of experiencing work-related injuries. However, it is crucial to recognize that healthcare workers are just as eligible as other employees to receive compensation for their injuries. In addition to physical injuries, North Carolina workers’ compensation can also cover expenses related to specific diseases some healthcare professionals may encounter.

Where Will I Appear in Court for a Workers’ Compensation Case?

Personal injury cases in Wilmington, North Carolina, are typically heard in either small claims court or superior court. Both are located at the New Hanover County Courthouse in downtown Wilmington, at  316 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401. Your lawyer can instruct you on when and where you will need to appear, if you will need to appear in court at all.

How Much Can I Receive From Workers’ Comp?

Each individual employee who files for workers’ compensation will receive a specific, unique amount of compensation to cover their medical expenses and wage losses. This amount will vary depending on the employee’s salary or hourly rate. A workplace injury lawyer can help you calculate the specific amount you can expect to receive, and potentially even negotiate that amount.

What Is Not a Work-Related Injury?

Work-related injuries that are eligible for workers’ compensation must happen while performing work-related duties while on the job. Common examples of injuries that would not typically be considered work-related include injuries incurred while commuting to and from work, voluntary tasks performed while technically off work, any willful misconduct, and injuries resulting from horseplay in the workplace.

Hire a Healthcare Worker Injury Lawyer: The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers

At The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers, we are passionate about helping each and every client obtain the compensation they deserve. Our attorneys have over 45 combined years of experience in injury law, having handled over 300 injury cases. Vernon Sumwalt has many years of appellate court experience, while Christa Sumwalt has been involved in over 125 jury trials, together bringing a unique perspective to every case.

The legal team at The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers is committed to helping you achieve the outcome you deserve in your case in Wilmington. We understand the difficulties you are currently facing and are here to guide you in the right direction. With our extensive experience handling workers’ comp cases, we can provide a roadmap to help you know exactly which steps to take and when to take them. Contact us today to learn more about who we are and how we can help.

With our experienced legal team on your side, you can trust that you are getting the reliable legal support you need for your case. Engage our team sooner rather than later for help.