Everyone working in Wilmington faces the risk of injury at work, and workplace accidents can occur unexpectedly in any work environment. Even in a seemingly safe workplace, an accident can leave a victim unable to work and earn income, and they may face extensive medical bills and other losses they will not know how to recover on their own.
If you recently sustained injuries in a workplace accident, you need to understand how the workers’ compensation system functions in the state. An experienced Wilmington workplace accident attorney is an ideal asset in this situation, as they will guide you through the claim filing process and help secure the benefits you deserve. Even a seemingly straightforward case can involve many complex details, and the right attorney can make a tremendous positive impact on your overall recovery efforts.
Christina Rivenbark & Associates has years of professional experience handling all types of work injury claims for clients in Wilmington, NC and throughout the state. We can help file your workers’ compensation claim and get the benefits you legally deserve. If you have grounds for further legal recourse, we can assist you with this as well. The sooner you contact our firm, the more time we have to work on your case.
Many people who work wonder whether they will qualify for workers’ compensation benefits if they are injured at work. State law requires most employees to be covered, and almost every employer has workers’ compensation insurance. If you are injured in a workplace accident, you likely have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim. Your employer must provide you with the materials needed to submit your claim, and you will likely need to undergo a medical evaluation from a workers’ compensation physician.
This evaluation will result in a disability rating, a numerical value indicating the severity of your injury and whether you face long-term or permanent harm from the workplace injury you suffered. The workers’ compensation insurance carrier will review the medical report from the doctor and investigate the claim, and once they determine the claim to be valid, you will receive your determination of benefits.
A successful workers’ compensation claim after a workplace accident may yield benefits you need to recover and return to work. If you were severely injured and cannot return to work in the future, workers’ compensation benefits can help offset the economic impact on you and your family.
Filing a workers’ compensation claim may be similar to filing any other type of insurance claim, but you face the added complexity of your employer’s role in the process. Additionally, nothing guarantees the insurance carrier will handle your claim in good faith. Having an experienced Wilmington workplace accident attorney on your side for the claim process significantly improves your chances of maximizing your benefits, and they can help you explore any additional avenues of legal recourse that may be available to you.
The North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act is the law requiring most employers in the state to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Whenever an injury happens in the workplace, the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance will help pay for the injured worker’s damages. This includes the medical treatment they need to recover and income replacement benefits if they are unable to work during recovery.
There is a two-year statute of limitations for workers’ compensation claims. This means that if you suffer an injury from any workplace accident, you have two years in which to file your workers’ compensation claim. However, the injured worker must report their injury to their employer within 30 days of the injury. It is generally advisable for the injured worker to file their claim as soon as possible after their injury to have the greatest chance of securing the benefits they need to recover.
The North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act generally prevents injured employees from filing civil suits against their employers in response to their workplace accidents. However, there are some exceptions to this. You can file a civil suit against an employer who does not have workers’ compensation or if they caused your injury intentionally. If your workplace accident resulted from your employer’s failure to uphold workplace safety regulations, this may also form grounds for a civil claim.
The average injured worker in Wilmington can expect two types of compensation from workers’ compensation for a covered injury. First, the insurance carrier will pay for all their medical expenses, including the cost of any future rehabilitative care they need to recover. Second, they can receive temporary disability benefits while they are unable to work and earn income. The exact amount of benefits you could receive hinges on the scope and severity of your injury and whether you face long-term or permanent medical complications because of it.
If you are worried about the potential cost of legal counsel, this is no cause for concern when you choose Christina Rivenbark & Associates to represent you. Our firm only takes a fee from a client after we secure compensation on their behalf, and our fee is a percentage of the total amount recovered. This contingency fee policy ensures you can have the legal counsel you need when you need it without your legal fees overtaking your compensation.
Christina Rivenbark & Associates can provide the comprehensive legal representation you need after any injury at work in Wilmington. We have years of experience handling these cases and know how devastating any workplace accident can be. If you are ready to explore your options for legal recourse and need professional assistance in securing the benefits you legally deserve, we are ready to help. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation with our team.