Suffering a serious injury can be a life-altering event that affects someone for the rest of his or her life. When that injury is work-related, getting help via North Carolina’s workers’ compensation system is often key to the recovery process and minimizing potential negative outcomes, such as financial insecurity. Some employers and insurance companies are hesitant to acknowledge work injuries though, so it is important that workers understand their rights in the workplace.
What is a work injury?
An injury is considered a work injury when it occurred during the course of employment or when doing something on behalf of an employer. These types of injuries often occur in the workplace, such as in an office or on a construction site. However, work injuries can also happen:
- In a vehicle
- At a company sponsored event
- In work-from-home spaces
What about employment status?
North Carolina employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage. That coverage only applies to actual employees, though. Contract workers typically cannot secure workers’ compensation benefits for their injuries. If an individual typically works in a high-risk industry such as construction or transportation, it may be worthwhile to secure an employee position rather than contract work.
The period following a work-related injury is often overwhelming and confusing. Some victims might not even be sure how workers’ compensation benefits can help their situation. In general, workers’ comp benefits can be used to pay medical bills related to injuries, and they can also cover lost wages while victims take time off work to recover.