Greensboro Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If you have been hurt on the job in Greensboro or the surrounding areas, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits under North Carolina law. This no-fault system is designed to make sure injured workers get coverage for damages like medical costs, lost income, and rehabilitation. A Greensboro workers’ compensation lawyer from The Sumwalt Group can help you navigate the complex and sometimes frustrating processes to access these benefits.
At The Sumwalt Group, our dedicated team of attorneys has decades of combined experience in whores’ compensation cases. We work hard to support injured workers in securing their needed benefits from the local workers’ compensation system. Our knowledgeable team deeply understands the obstacles workers can face, especially in high-risk industries like manufacturing and healthcare, which are prominent in the area. If you need help filing a claim or are facing a denial, our firm has the skills and resources to help you.
Why Work With a Greensboro Workers’ Compensation Attorney From Our Firm?
Working through the process to secure your workers’ compensation benefits on your own can be overwhelming and discouraging. We understand how important it is for you to access crucial benefits, like medical coverage and income supplementation, during your recovery time. Therefore, our team can simplify the process of accessing benefits for you.
Specifically, we offer the following:
- Demonstrated success record: For years, we have successfully helped workers across North Carolina get the optimal benefits they are entitled to during their recovery time.
- No payment upfront: Our team works on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay for our services unless we win your case for you.
- Fierce advocacy: We do not shy away from aggressive representation. Our firm can fight hard to make sure you get the wage benefits and medical treatment you’re entitled to.
- Tailored support: Our team is both results-oriented and client-focused. We can develop legal strategies that are specific to your case. Our firm believes in communicating frequently and directly so you’re aware of updates in your case and ways to respond to them.
If you have been hurt on the job, you don’t have to deal with insurance companies alone. We can fight for you, like we have already done for hundreds of workers across the state.
How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Greensboro, NC
There are stringent procedures and strict deadlines associated with filing a workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina.
To protect your rights, be sure to do the following:
- Let your employer know: You have 30 days to report your accident injury to your employer, although it is advised that you do so immediately. Your employer will then need to file an injury report with their workers’ compensation insurance provider.
- Access medical treatment: Your employer or workers’ compensation insurance carrier will need to make sure the doctor you go to is authorized for your treatment. If you are not in agreement with the diagnosis given by the physician who was assigned by your employer, you have the right to request a second opinion.
- File your claim with the NCIC: Be sure to thoroughly and accurately complete Form 18, Notice of Accident to Employer and Claim of Employee. You can submit the form either by mail or online to the North Carolina Industrial Commission. Employers will be required to submit Form 19, which is another accident report but from their perspective.
A dedicated workers’ compensation attorney from The Sumwalt Group can guide you throughout the workers’ compensation claims process. We can make sure you get quick and efficient access to the benefits you deserve.
What to Do If Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for workers’ compensation claims to be denied in Greensboro and across the state. Insurance companies may claim that medical evidence is insufficient or question whether the injury or illness was actually related to the job. Insurance companies and employers alike may try to leverage tactics to avoid paying out the benefits they are liable for.
If you’re facing a claim denial, you have legal options. A dedicated attorney can help you request a hearing with the NCIC to get an official review of your case. To build up your side of the story and present a more compelling argument, they can assist you in obtaining additional evidence, such as professional evaluations, witness statements, and medical documentation. Overall, they can support you with appealing the denial and negotiating a just settlement on your behalf.
Our compassionate law firm has seen many workers get discouraged and give up after being denied. If this is your case, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to fight alone. Our team has the experience and knowledge to develop a robust case and optimize your benefits.
Workers’ Compensation Hearings in North Carolina
If you’re dealing with a dispute about your claim, your case may be heard by NCIC deputy commissioners. As there is no NCIC office in Greensboro, claimants may need to travel to Raleigh, Charlotte, or Wilmington to participate in hearings. They can also potentially do so virtually. A detail-oriented attorney from our firm can assist you with collecting evidence, preparing for your hearing, and representing you before the commission to defend your rights.
Serving Clients Throughout
North Carolina
Third-Party Liability Claims for Workplace Injuries
Although workers’ compensation allows injured employees to access crucial benefits for lost income and medical costs, it blocks them from suing their employer for further damages, like pain and suffering. In some situations, however, a third party may be responsible for the accident that caused your injuries. In such a case, you could be entitled to filing a personal injury claim against them in parallel with your workers’ compensation claim.
Examples of third-party liability workplace accidents in Greenville include the following:
- If you got hurt in a work-related motor vehicle accident caused by another driver, you could sue the other driver.
- When a third-party contractor on your construction site contributed to an unsafe working environment, they could be held liable.
- If your condition or injury was caused by toxic chemical exposure, you could hold the chemical manufacturer accountable.
- When defective equipment caused your injuries, the manufacturer or designer could potentially be held liable.
If a third party could have contributed to your workplace injury, our workers’ compensation attorneys can look into your case details. After a thorough review, we can determine whether you may have grounds for a personal injury claim.
FAQs
A: Workers’ compensation in North Carolina is an insurance program mandated by the state. It enables workers who’ve been hurt on the job or suffered from a work-related condition to receive coverage for the associated medical costs and lost income. Most employers with three or more employees are required to have workers’ compensation insurance in the state. A knowledgeable attorney can explain the legal mechanics of the program.
A: No, the North Carolina Industrial Commission does not have a local workers’ compensation office in Greensboro. Deputy commissioners will handle cases through the Raleigh, Charlotte, and Wilmington offices. City employees in Greensboro, however, can gain access to services for workers’ compensation through the City of Greensboro’s Medical Services unit. A local attorney can help you navigate Greensboro workers’ comp cases.
You can verify whether your employer has workers’ compensation insurance by visiting the NCIC insurance coverage search website. A dedicated attorney can also carry out an in-depth search to determine whether your employer has adequate coverage. Then, they can assist you with filing a claim and advocating on your behalf for optimal compensation. If your employer is not covered, they can examine your legal options and determine what to do next.
City employees of Greensboro can get workers’ compensation medical care through the City of Greensboro’s Medical Services unit. This group provides services such as:
- Treatment for injuries in the workplace
- Periodic and pre-employment physical examinations
- FMLA administration
- Post-accident drug screening
These services are only available to city employees and retirees, not workers in general in the area.
Industries that have the most workplace injuries in Greensboro are the manufacturing and healthcare industries. Specific injuries include:
- Heavy machinery accidents in industrial settings
- Slip and falls in nursing homes, clinics, or hospitals
- Repetitive motion and strain in factories
While some industries are more dangerous than others, all workers in Greensboro and across the country are at risk of being injured on the job.
Learn About Your Legal Options With a Greensboro Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Whether your hand was lacerated in a heavy machinery accident or you’ve fallen from scaffolding on a construction site, you are likely reeling from significant physical, financial, and emotional damages. Therefore, it is crucial to get the compensation you’re entitled to.
Contact a Greensboro workers’ compensation lawyer from The Sumwalt Group today to schedule your consultation. We can discuss your case details and explain your options.