Have you been injured at work and require medical treatment? Well, you are entitled to be compensated for your workplace injury. If you have been injured at your workplace, you need the best Mooresville workers’ compensation lawyer for your case. At Waple & Houk, PLLC, you can always count on reputable, experienced and knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorneys to help out with your Mooresville, NC workers’ compensation case. Contact us today at (704)954-8697 and get in touch with the best workers’ compensation lawyers for a free consultation.
What Is Workers’ Compensation and What Does It Cover?
Workers’ compensation refers to an insurance policy where if you are hurt while on the job, you are entitled to a few benefits such as the following.
Medical Treatment
It includes outpatient and inpatient treatment for your workplace injury. It should be paid by your employer’s insurance company.
Temporary Total Disability Benefits
If after treatment your doctor orders you to stay out of work for a specific amount of time, you will be paid a temporary total disability benefit.
Physical Therapy
Do you need physical therapy to be able to go back to work again after suffering a workplace injury? Your employer’s insurer should pay for it.
Prescriptions
If you have to get medications because of your workplace injury, it will be covered by your workers’ compensation benefits.
Necessary Travel Expenses
Do you have to travel to go to the doctor? Well, your travel expenses will be covered under workers’ compensation benefits.
Vocational Rehabilitation
If you have to be retrained to do your job after suffering a workplace injury, it should be paid for by your employer’s insurance company.
Note that, workers’ compensation laws are different from one state to the next. Therefore, it’s important to look for an attorney who specializes in North Carolina workers’ compensation law. If you have been injured at work in Mooresville, NC, you should contact Waple & Houk, PLLC today to get in touch with the best Mooresville workers’ compensation lawyers for your case.
What Should I Do If I Am Hurt on the Job in North Carolina?
It’s crucial to take these steps after a workplace injury.
Notify Your Employer
You need to notify your employer that you have been hurt, preferably in writing (a letter or email). Make sure you explain clearly what happened and keep a copy for yourself. If you reported the injury to your employer orally, you should make a note of the date, time and the person you talked to as well as their position in the company and their response.
Make sure you report it in time to avoid rejection of your workers’ compensation claim.
File the Necessary Paperwork
The North Carolina Industrial Commission handles workers’ compensation cases. Therefore, you need to file a claim with the commission after being injured at work. Failure to do it in time means that you will lose your right to compensation. Since the process can be quite complicated and frustrating, it’s a good idea to use the best workers’ compensation lawyers in Mooresville, NC at Waple & Houk, PLLC.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
If the injury is not severe or life-threatening, you need to arrange your own medical care. Don’t diagnose your injuries on your own because you are not a doctor. Also, documented doctor visits are important for your workers’ compensation claim. That is because they are evidence of your injuries. Make sure you keep a written record of your injury and symptoms since it will come in handy during your compensation claim.
Contact a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
You need to work with the best workers’ compensation attorney in Mooresville, NC. At Waple & Houk, PLLC, we have the experience and knowledge required to file your claim and help you get the compensation you deserve. Remember, time is very important so you need to contact us immediately so we can provide you with the relevant advice to make sure there are no complications with your case.
Once you are assured that your case is in the best hands, thanks to workers’ compensation lawyers at Waple & Houk, PLLC, you can rest and recuperate. Remember, if you don’t follow the medical instructions provided by your doctor, you might make your injury worse and might be denied compensation. Once your case is in our hands, we are working for you so it’s time for you to recover.
What Are the Most Common Workplace Accident Injuries in North Carolina?
Anyone can be injured at work. Therefore, you need to be careful and make sure you report any injuries. Here is a list of the common workplace injuries often reported in North Carolina.
• Back injuries
• Neck injuries
• Burns
• Fractures
• Amputations
• Hearing loss
• Joint pain
• Slip and fall
• Construction accidents
• Accidents while traveling for business
• Accidents while working with machinery or tools
If you have suffered these or any other types of injuries at work, you are eligible for compensation. Call Waple & Houk, PLLC today and we can start working on your workers’ compensation claim in Mooresville, NC.
Why Should I Hire a Mooresville Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
Are you wondering whether or not you need to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer after a workplace injury? Well, here are the benefits of hiring our law firm, Waple & Houk, PLLC as your Mooresville workers’ compensation lawyer after your workplace accident in Mooresville, NC.
Build a Great Case
You might assume that since you have a great employee your workers’ compensation case will not be hard. However, insurance companies are always looking for a way to avoid paying. Therefore, you need to work with a workers’ compensation attorney as early as possible.
At Waple & Houk, PLLC, we will build a better case for your compensation than you can. We know the evidence required for the insurance company to compensate you for your injuries. We will also file everything required to make sure that your compensation claim is not rejected for any reason.
We Can Negotiate With the Insurance Company
If you choose to represent yourself, you might feel overwhelmed when negotiating with the insurance company about your compensation amount. Remember, the insurance company’s lawyers have worked on numerous cases over the time they have been in business but this is your first case. As such, you might know some of the maneuvers they will try to pull.
However, as experienced workers’ compensation attorneys, we know what tricks they might try. We understand the workers’ compensation law and know how much you should receive from your workplace injury. We can handle the negotiations with the insurance company to make sure that you are fully compensated for any injuries suffered at your workplace.
We Can Help Represent You in Court Appearances
Not all workers’ compensation cases will be resolved during the negotiation phase. Your case might end up before a judge in a trial. It is time-consuming, costly, and very difficult to handle if you are representing yourself. You will have a hard time putting forward the facts of the case on your own. On the other hand, you are still recuperating from your injury so you will not have the capability to start chasing witnesses and looking for evidence.
Well, at Waple & Houk, PLLC, we have the litigation experience to handle your workers’ compensation case if it ends up in court. We know that the insurance company will attempt to bury you under a lot of paperwork but we have a team ready to handle things. You can rest and recuperate knowing that your case is being handled by the experts. Call us now and we can start working on your case immediately.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Mooresville Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
Are you wondering whether or not you can afford to hire a workers’ compensation attorney after suffering a workplace injury? Well, you should know that at Waple & Houk, PLLC, we work on a contingency basis. It means that we will not ask you to pay any legal fees until you have been compensated for your injuries. On the other hand, we also offer a free initial consultation so you don’t have to worry about paying any legal fees on your first visit.
What Should I Do if My Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied in North Carolina?
If you have gone through the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim and it has been denied, you can do the following.
1. You can withdraw your claim. You have 2 years from the date of the injury to request a hearing from the North Carolina Industrial Commission by filing NCIC Form 33.
2. Secondly, you can request a hearing after receiving the denial from your employer by filing an NCIC Form 33 with the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
After requesting a hearing with NCIC, make sure you have proper representation from a Mooresville workers’ compensation attorney from Waple & Houk, PLLC. Next, your case will be scheduled for mediation.
If the case is not settled at a mediation, it will proceed to a hearing which takes place in front of an NCIC deputy commissioner. The hearing involves testimonies, depositions and legal briefing. We are here to help you if your workers’ compensation claim has been denied in North Carolina.
What Is Your Responsibility in a Workers’ Compensation Claim?
After suffering a workplace injury in North Carolina, you have a responsibility as an employee to do the following.
• Make sure you report the incident to your boss to avoid denial of your compensation claim.
• Get medical attention, preferably from the doctors suggested by your employer and their insurance company.
• Take photographs of your injuries and keep track of your symptoms, even those that occur after you have healed since they will be used to determine how much you are owed in the workers’ compensation claim.
• Hire an attorney who can help you file the legal documents required in your workers’ compensation case.
Call Waple & Houk, PLLC today to get in touch with the best Mooresville, NC workers’ compensation attorneys.
What Is the Employer’s Responsibility in the Workers’ Compensation Process?
All businesses employing 3 or more employees in North Carolina, including those operating as sole proprietorships, corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies should have workers’ compensation insurance to protect employees in the event of a workplace injury. Employees who are not covered by the workers’ compensation insurance in NC include the following.
• Employees of certain railroads
• Casual employees
• Domestic servants employed directly by the household
• Farm laborers
• Federal government employees
• Sellers of agricultural products
If you have suffered a workplace injury and are not in any of these categories, you need to contact the best workers’ compensation attorneys at Waple & Houk, PLLC.
Can I Be Fired for Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in North Carolina?
No, you can’t be fired for filing a workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina. However, there are numerous essential regulations on a state and federal level that can determine whether or not your employer can fire you if you are injured. There are a lot of nuances to consider in the case.
Can I Sue My Employer After Suffering a Workplace Injury in North Carolina?
If you have been injured at your job, you can pursue a workers’ compensation claim. However, you are prohibited from suing your employer for the same injuries in civil court. Also, you can’t sue your co-workers in civil court for workplace injuries suffered. However, if your employer has doesn’t have workers’ compensation insurance in place as required by law, you can sue them.
Is There a Time Limit to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Mooresville, NC?
You must file your workers’ compensation claim within 2 years after the date of the accident. Failure to do this means your case will be denied and there is no chance of recovery. Therefore, it’s a good idea to start working with a workers’ compensation attorney immediately after your accident to avoid a denial of your claim because of the statute of limitations. Call us at Waple & Houk, PLLC so we can start working on your case immediately.
Can an Independent Contractor File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in North Carolina?
No, if you are an independent contractor, you can’t file a claim for workers’ compensation after suffering a workplace injury. However, a lot of employers often abuse this clause. That’s because they categorize all their employees as independent workers to avoid any liability under workers’ compensation.
However, if you feel that you are eligible for compensation after a workplace injury, we can help out. Call Waple & Houk, PLLC immediately after suffering a workplace injury and we can help you ascertain whether or not you deserve compensation.
What Is My Mooresville, NC Workers’ Compensation Claim Worth?
After filing a workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina, you can receive the following types of benefits.
Temporary Total Disability Benefits
If you are not able to work while recovering from your workplace injury, you will receive TTD benefits. They will not be paid for the first 7 days of disability unless you are away from work for more than 21 days. TTD benefits are two-thirds of your average weekly wages at the time of the injury up to the legal maximum for the year when you were disabled or hurt. If your injuries happened in 2020, your maximum benefit is $1,066 per week and the minimum amount is $30 per week.
Permanent Disability Benefits
Here, your doctor will ascertain that you have reached maximum medical improvement. It means that you will not get better even with further medical treatment. Next, you will be evaluated to determine whether or not your workplace injury resulted in long-lasting limitations. The type of benefits received depends on the part of your body affected and your impairment rating.
Medical Care & Other Benefits
Besides TTD and permanent disability benefits, you will also receive other benefits such as the following.
• Medical care where the employer’s insurance company will pay for any medical costs including travel expenses to get the necessary treatment.
• Vocational rehabilitation, especially if you need education or retraining after your injury at work.
Death Benefits
Death benefits and funeral expenses will be paid to your next of kin if a person dies because of a workplace injury or illness. The next of kin will receive death benefits using the TTD rate and they are issued for a maximum of 500 weeks. Workers’ compensation will also pay up to $10,000 for the burial expenses of the deceased.
By working with the best workers’ compensation lawyers at Waple & Houk, PLLC, we will make sure that you receive every cent owed to you after suffering a workplace injury.
Call the Best Mooresville Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
You don’t have to pay anything out of pocket after suffering a workplace injury. Workers’ compensation insurance should pay for everything. However, insurance companies and your employer might use a few tricks to make sure you are not compensated. You don’t need to worry about it when you have the best Mooresville, NC workers’ compensation attorney by your side.
Call Waple & Houk, PLLC today at (704) 954-8697 so we can start working on your workers’ compensation case in North Carolina. Your initial consultation is free.
