A workplace accident can bring immediate changes to your life, leaving you with pain, limitations and medical bills. In the aftermath of this type of incident, you know that you could have a valid claim to workers’ compensation benefits, but you may not know what you can and should expect from this process. This includes expectations for your employer, such as his or her responsibility to you as an injured employee.
There are certain things employers must do regarding workers’ compensation benefits. Knowing what you should expect can help you better protect your rights and have an easier time navigating the workers’ compensation process. You have a right to pursue the support necessary to allow you to recover from your injuries and recoup your financial losses.
What happens next?
Your accident could leave you feeling confused and unsure of what to do next. If you do find yourself the victim of an injury that happens in your place of work, the following facts about workers’ compensation could be helpful to you:
- Before you file an insurance claim, make sure your injuries are compensable and that you can prove they are work-related.
- You could have a valid claim if you were doing something required by your job at the time of the accident, even if you were not on company property at the time.
- If your injury is a preexisting condition that worsened because of your job requirements, you could have a valid claim.
- Workers’ compensation could cover your lost wages at a rate of about two-thirds of your normal pay rate.
Most employers are required by law to carry workers’ compensation benefits. There should be notice of these benefits posted where you can see them, and your employer should make the procedure clear of what to do after an accident. A North Carolina employer cannot prohibit you from filing a claim after an injury, nor can he or she retaliate against you for exercising your rights.
A full and fair recovery
Getting better after a work accident is not always easy, and you may need different types of support to move forward. It is in your interests to learn about workers’ compensation law and how you can protect your interests. You could have a rightful claim to benefits to cover your lost wages, medical bills and even your rehabilitative needs as you reenter the workplace.