Greenville First Responder Injury Lawyer

First Responder Injury Attorney in Greenville, NC

First responder employees are responsible for resolving many precarious situations that may require extreme stress. It is not abnormal for a first responder to find themselves in a life-or-death situation. Because of this, there are legal protections in place that allow first responder workers to receive benefits for injuries sustained while on the job. A Greenville first responder injury lawyer can help an injured employee obtain such benefits.

If you have been injured while on the job, it is imperative to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. Even if your injury did not show up until days or weeks after an accident, there may still be time to file a claim. It is never too late to seek legal counsel. At The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers, we understand the difficulties of filing a claim, which is why we are here to make that process as simple as possible.

First Steps

The Industrial Commission has specific rules regarding how an injured employee should file a claim. The first step for all employees is to provide written notice of their injury to their employer. This must be done within 30 days of the injury’s occurrence. Any notice delivered past this timeframe may not qualify to receive compensation of any kind. There are some exceptions to this rule, but they cannot be guaranteed.

Whether you seek medical attention before or directly after notifying your employer of your incident, finding medical help should be a top priority. Not only is doing so crucial to your health and recovery, but failing to seek medical help can make it extremely difficult to receive compensation for any injuries. For residents of the Greenville, North Carolina, area and surrounding areas, the following medical resources may be helpful. 

• ECU Medical Health Center: 2100 Stantonsburg Rd, Greenville, NC 27834
• Carolina East Medical Center: 2000 Neuse Blvd, New Bern, NC 28560
• ECU Behavioral Health Hospital: 2820 MacGregor Downs Rd, Greenville, NC 27834

If you follow these initial steps closely, filing a claim and receiving compensation for your injuries and expenses should not be extremely difficult.

Vernon Sumwalt

Free Consultation Today 704-565-0621

Contact Us

Filing a Claim

The first crucial step to take after notifying your employer is to hire a first responder injury lawyer. The right lawyer can help you navigate the complex paperwork and legal hoops that you will be required to jump through to receive the compensation you deserve. It can be confusing to complete all the steps of filing a claim without the legal guidance of an experienced injury lawyer.

Additionally, it is imperative that you follow your doctor’s medical advice throughout this process. The purpose of the North Carolina workers’ compensation program is to help injured employees return to full health. Your likelihood of being awarded compensation will be much higher if you are actively showing your desire and dedication to recovery.

FAQs

Are There Any Injuries That Never Fully Heal?

There are multiple types of injuries that may never fully heal or allow the body to return to the condition it was in before an incident occurred. Many injuries result in lifelong pain or impairments. Injuries to the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, as well as chronic repetitive strain, can be included in this category. The same is true for injuries that result in the loss of a limb. Certain psychological or mental injuries may also leave lasting effects.

What Is the Silent Killer of Paramedics?

Many EMS and paramedic workers consider stress to be a silent killer in their field of work. Burnout and chronic stress can create excessive fatigue and strain upon a person’s body and mental health that can lead to serious life-threatening circumstances, such as heart attacks and strokes. PTSD is also an issue that many first responders suffer from, which creates a significant amount of stress on the brain.

Who Qualifies as a First Responder?

In North Carolina, the term “first responder” can be used to relate to firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and others who respond in emergency situations. Many first responders share responsibilities in life-threatening emergencies. For example, 73.2% of fire departments in North Carolina respond to vehicle extrications, 65.4% provide basic life support, and 30.9% respond to specified rescues.

What Are Common Injuries for EMS Workers?

EMS workers, paramedic clinicians specifically, respond to roughly 40 million calls within the United States per year. With such a high response rate, many workers are injured while responding to these calls, many of which are true emergencies. Some common injuries that may result from the process include straining muscles, spraining bones in the ankles and wrists, psychological trauma, and more.

What Is a Difficult Injury to Come Back From?

There are many injuries that can be difficult to come back from, especially in terms of recovering to the full level of health that a person was at before an incident occurred. Any injury that traumatically affects the body or requires extensive surgery can be extremely difficult to come back from, including traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and chronic conditions. These factors can be considered when applying for workers’ compensation.

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

Vernon Sumwalt, a Board-Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation by the North Carolina State Bar, has extensive experience helping clients who have been injured at work obtain compensation for their medical expenses and lost wages. Christa Sumwalt has handled over 125 jury trials in civil personal injury cases, giving her unparalleled experience with the court system. Together, they can be of great help in injury cases.

The Sumwalt Group Workers’ Comp and Trial Lawyers is committed to helping each and every client in Greenville achieve the justice they deserve. For employees who have been injured on the job, receiving compensation to cover medical expenses and lost wages is crucial. While the process of filing a claim may seem overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be with the right lawyer on your side. Contact us today to speak with a member of our experienced legal team and learn more about how we may be able to help.