Workers’ Compensation law can be a very complicated process. What you do right after the injury can have a very important impact on the future of your claim. If you, a friend or family member have been hurt on the job, you may be wondering what benefits you can expect to receive to heal, as well as cover the expenses of the injury and missed work. 

The Workers’ Compensation Process: An Overview

If you get hurt while on the job, your employer should give you a copy of a Form 18 Report of Injury to complete and send to the NC Industrial Commission. Depending on cost of medical care, the employer may be required to complete an Industrial Commission Form 19. The claim is overseen by the North Carolina Industrial Commission. 

The employer’s insurance company will make a decision to accept or deny your claim for benefits. It is incredibly important to report the injury verbally and in writing right away (keep a copy of the written report for yourself), ask for them to direct medical care and be sure to tell the doctor that your injury is work related. It is also important to speak to an attorney and learn about your rights. The insurance company may want to take a recorded statement from you as a part of their investigation into your claim. You should absolutely speak to an attorney before agreeing to give any such statement. 

What Are the Different Types of Benefits 

You may be entitled to benefits for lost wages, permanent disability, medical compensation, and vocational rehabilitation.

  • Temporary Total Disability Benefits (TTD) – Weekly benefits when you are unable to work in any capacity for a period of up to 500 weeks.  Benefits are usually calculated at the rate of 66 2/3 percent of your average earnings at the job where your injury occurred over the year preceding the injury.
  • Temporary Partial Disability Benefits (TPD) – Weekly benefits when you can do some work but are earning less than you were at the time of your injury for a period of up to 500 weeks.
  • Permanent Partial Disability Benefits (PPD) – Benefits to compensate for permanent damage to the body part(s) injured.
  • Medical Treatment – Payment for medical and rehabilitative care necessary to effect a cure, provide relief, and lessen the period of disability. Benefits could include doctor’s visits, prescriptions, diagnostic testing, physical therapy and even surgical costs.
  • Vocational Rehabilitation – Services designed to help the injured worker get back to “suitable employment” after an injury. Services can include counseling, job analysis, job modification, placement, training and continued education.

Call Wilson, Reives & Doran to Discuss Your  Workers’ Compensation Case

Your initial consultation with our Board Certified Workers’ Compensation

An attorney is free. If you have a worker’s compensation claim, please be sure to call our attorneys before you sign anything. You can greatly reduce your benefits by signing something you may not fully understand.