Charlotte Work-Related Hearing And Vision Loss Lawyer

Trusted Work-Related Hearing And Vision Loss Attorney in Charlotte, NC

Many people in Charlotte and throughout North Carolina work in industries that pose various risks of injury on the job. While many workplace injury claims involve traumatic accidents, some people gradually experience hearing and vision loss over time due to their work. If this has happened to you, it’s important to speak with a Charlotte work-related hearing and vision loss lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.

Representing Work-Related Hearing and Vision Loss Cases in Charlotte, NC

The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers can help you navigate the workers’ compensation claim filing process after you have been diagnosed with any type of work-related hearing or vision loss. Our attorneys have more than 45 combined years of experience handling work injury claims in Charlotte and the surrounding areas of North Carolina, and we’re confident we can help you secure the benefits you need to recover as fully as possible.

Private industry employers in North Carolina reported about 64,200 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Almost every private sector employer in North Carolina is required by state law to have workers’ compensation insurance, and almost every regular employee is covered by this insurance if they are hurt at work. This insurance can apply to traumatic injuries as well as acquired injuries and medical conditions.

Hearing or vision loss may happen in various ways. A traumatic accident may cause these conditions, or a worker could develop them gradually over time while performing their job duties. If you have been diagnosed with hearing or vision loss and you believe that your job is to blame, it is vital to hire a work-related hearing and vision loss lawyer as soon as possible to help you build your claim for workers’ compensation benefits.

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Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim for Work-Related Hearing or Vision Loss

If you are diagnosed with hearing or vision loss that you believe is directly related to your work, you must report it to your employer no later than 30 days after your diagnosis. Alternatively, if you suffered hearing or vision loss from a specific accident at work, then you must report it to your employer within 30 days of the incident. Failure to notify your employer of a work-related injury or illness could disqualify you from claiming workers’ compensation benefits.

Most employers in North Carolina facilitate injured workers’ claims in good faith, but it is possible that your employer could doubt whether your vision or hearing loss is directly related to your work duties. This may be a doubt raised in good faith, or it could be their attempt to avoid potential insurance premium increases due to your claim.

When you hire a work-related hearing and vision loss lawyer, they can help you prove that your condition is directly related to your work. You may need to obtain medical records and other evidence that prove your condition only began after starting your job and the damage accumulated over time. Proving that hearing or vision loss resulted from an acute traumatic accident is generally much easier.

You will likely be required to undergo a functional capacity evaluation as part of your claim review. Your employer’s insurance carrier must provide a list of local approved doctors you can visit for this evaluation, and the workers’ compensation doctor will assess the severity of your condition and assign you a disability rating. This rating will be one of the main factors used to determine how much you can receive in disability benefits.

Securing Your Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Hearing or Vision Loss

You could be eligible to receive substantial compensation if the hearing or vision loss you experienced is severe enough to leave you unable to work in the future. Generally, a successful workers’ compensation claim provides two forms of compensation to the injured worker. The insurance company pays for all of the claimant’s medical expenses, and the claimant receives disability benefits during their recovery.

Workers’ compensation disability benefits are paid based on the claimant’s usual earnings and the overall severity of their condition. For example, partial disability benefits may be paid to a claimant who can still work in a limited and lower-earning capacity after their injury, while total disability benefits are paid when the claimant is unable to work at all for an extended period. Permanently disabling injuries could yield permanent disability benefits.

Insurance companies often attempt to settle claims for as little as possible, and it’s a good idea to have your Charlotte work-related hearing and vision loss lawyer negotiate a determination of benefits on your behalf. Your attorney can also determine whether you have grounds to pursue legal action outside of the workers’ compensation system, such as a third-party personal injury case if anyone outside of your work is directly responsible for causing your condition.

What to Expect From Your Charlotte Work-Related Hearing And Vision Loss Lawyer

Experiencing hearing or vision loss from your work can be extremely challenging in several ways, and if your condition is irreversible and directly affects your ability to work, you are likely to have many difficult questions about your future. Whether your condition was the result of cumulative harm over time or a traumatic accident, it is vital that you speak with a Charlotte work-related hearing and vision loss attorney as soon as possible.

The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers will work diligently to help you prove that your hearing or vision loss is directly related to your work if your employer doubts your claim for any reason. We can also resolve any issues that you encounter with an insurance carrier, such as an unfairly low determination of benefits. If you have grounds to file a third-party personal injury case, you can trust us to assist you with this as well.

Ultimately, experiencing any type of hearing or vision loss from your work can present numerous issues for you and your family, especially if the damage is permanent. Our firm is confident we can help you obtain the benefits you need following your diagnosis, but it’s crucial to start building your case as soon as possible. If you are ready to learn how a Charlotte work-related hearing and vision loss attorney can help, reach out to our firm as soon as possible.

FAQs

How Much Can I Receive in Benefits for Hearing or Vision Loss?

The amount you can receive in benefits for hearing or vision loss largely depends on how much the condition diminishes your ability to work. Your claim could yield full medical expense coverage, but the amount you receive in disability benefits varies based on whether you are able to continue working and whether you are able to earn the same level of income.

Does Workers’ Compensation Insurance Pay for Pain and Suffering in North Carolina?

No, workers’ compensation insurance does not pay for pain and suffering in North Carolina. Even if you have suffered permanent hearing or vision loss, it will only be possible for you to claim compensation for pain and suffering through a personal injury claim. If you have grounds to file a third-party personal injury case, then you may be able to recover pain and suffering compensation from the defendant who caused your condition.

Can I Sue My Employer for Hearing or Vision Loss in Charlotte?

You usually cannot sue your employer for hearing or vision loss in Charlotte, NC. If your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, this shields them from civil liability for your damages and is meant to serve as a “sole remedy” for your damages. However, you could have grounds for a civil claim against your employer under certain conditions, or you may have grounds to file a claim against a third party who caused your hearing or vision loss.

How Long Can I Receive Disability Benefits in North Carolina?

The time you can continue receiving disability benefits in North Carolina depends on the severity of your condition. Generally, disability benefits continue until the claimant is able to return to work, but a claimant may be awarded permanent disability benefits if they suffered permanent harm that prevents them from returning to work in the future. Your Charlotte work-related hearing and vision loss attorney can help you secure a fair determination of benefits.

Why Should I Hire a Work-Related Hearing and Vision Loss Lawyer?

You should hire a work-related hearing and vision loss lawyer to have a better chance of securing appropriate benefits. If you acquired your condition over time, it may be difficult to prove that it was directly caused by your job duties, and you could encounter disputes with your employer, their insurance carrier, or the workers’ compensation doctor who evaluated your condition. Having legal counsel on your side increases your chances of a favorable result.

The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers has the proven experience you want on your side for your workers’ compensation claim in Charlotte. Our firm has extensive experience handling all types of work injury claims, and we know how life-changing hearing or vision loss can be. Contact us today and schedule your free consultation with an experienced Charlotte work-related hearing and vision loss lawyer to learn how we can assist with your case.