Greenville Healthcare Worker Injury Lawyer

Healthcare Worker Injury Attorney in Greenville, NC

Employees in the healthcare industry face many situations that pose safety risks. Lifting patients, responding to emergencies, and performing other routine tasks can leave healthcare workers injured for extended periods. A Greenville healthcare worker injury lawyer can help you assess whether you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries accrued while at work.

If you have been injured while at work, it is crucial to seek legal help as soon as possible. Workers’ compensation cases are time sensitive, meaning that once enough time has gone by, you may no longer be able to file a claim. It is important to gather evidence and officially file a claim in a timely manner. The right lawyer can help you take all of these steps and guide you through the entire process.

When to File a Claim

If you have been injured while at work, it is crucial to know what steps to take and when. The vital first step is to provide your employer with written notice of your injury. The Industrial Commission requires all injured employees seeking compensation to provide written notice to their employers within 30 days of the incident. If you fail to do so, you may forfeit your right to receive any form of compensation.

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What Is My First Step?

After being injured at work, the first crucial step is to hire a healthcare worker injury lawyer. The right lawyer can make all the difference in how your case is handled. However, it should be noted that while a lawyer can point you to which steps to take and when to take them, there is still much work for you to do. After notifying your employer, the process has just begun.

In addition to hiring a lawyer, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately for your health and as a basis for your claim. Below is a list of medical centers in the Greenville, North Carolina, area that may be helpful. 

• ECU Medical Health Center: 2100 Stantonsburg Rd, Greenville, NC 27834
• Carolina East Medical Center: 2000 Neuse Blvd, New Bern, NC 28560

Occupational Diseases

The Industrial Commission has additional, specific guidelines regarding injuries relating to occupational diseases. These types of injuries commonly affect healthcare workers who may be exposed to harmful diseases, radiation, and other harmful substances. Illnesses contributed to 6.5% of the total number of recordable cases in the U.S. in 2024, which are recorded differently from injuries.

To receive compensation for the contraction of an occupational disease or radiation harm, an employee must file a claim with the Industrial Commission within 2 years after the death or disability occurred. For radiation in particular, this 2-year time frame begins when an employee knew, or reasonably should have known, that they had accrued a true injury.

Exceptions

The Industrial Commission made an exception to these rules regarding the timeline for filing a claim. For employees who have suffered from occupational disease contractions involving asbestos, silicosis, or lead poisoning, this time frame is changed to begin at the time at which an affected person was made medically aware of their condition.

In the healthcare industry, exceptions such as those described above may be made. North Carolina has an incidence rate of 3.1 in education and health services, significantly higher than the national average of 2.3.

FAQs

What Are Common Injuries for Healthcare Workers

There are many types of injuries that healthcare workers experience throughout their careers, with many employees experiencing multiple injuries throughout the duration of their time at work. Common injuries include those relating to overexertion and working long hours, such as musculoskeletal injuries and physical and mental stress. It is also not uncommon for healthcare workers to experience psychological injuries as a result of witnessing trauma.

What Are Examples of Musculoskeletal Injuries?

Musculoskeletal injuries are injuries that affect a person’s muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and even bones. These types of injuries are often the result of overexertion or prolonged periods of strain. For healthcare workers, the continual acts of lifting, pulling, pushing, and straining day in and day out can contribute to long-term musculoskeletal injuries. While these may not be apparent at the time of injury, they can become extremely painful over time.

What Is a Common Cause of Workplace Accidents?

Common causes of accidents for healthcare workers often involve overexertion, straining of the muscles, sprains of wrists and ankles, and more. Healthcare workers are typically active in fast-paced environments with little time to think before acting. When transferring patients or even heavy equipment, it can be easy to slip or move in a way that causes bodily injury without necessarily noticing it in the moment.

How Can You Prove a Work-Related Injury?

The methods that are effective for proving a work-related injury vary from situation to situation. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you choose the route that may be uniquely effective for your situation. Common approaches to proving a work-related injury include gathering relevant evidence such as medical records, emails and text messages, witness statements, and more.

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

At The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers, our team is dedicated to helping you receive the compensation you deserve for any injuries resulting from normal workplace activities. Christa Sumwalt, a member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, is passionate about helping each client achieve justice. Vernon Sumwalt has spent over 25 years since graduating with a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina helping those who have been injured at work receive compensation.

The team at The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers in Greenville is ready to assess your case and help you determine what next steps you should take. We understand the complexities and difficulties you are facing during this time and are here to help ease your burden. Our extensive experience in handling workers’ compensation cases can help make sure you are on the right path. Contact us today to learn more about us and to ask any questions you may have.