Workers' Compensation

Dealing with a workplace injury or illness is never easy, and it can become even more stressful when you need to go through the workers’ compensation process. If you have been injured on the job, such as in a car accident, you should consult a skilled Raleigh workers’ compensation lawyer who can assess the merits of your case and help you navigate the necessary legal process to get the benefits that you are entitled to obtain. At Maurer Law, we work tirelessly to provide skilled legal representation to each and every one of our clients. We understand the complex issues that may arise in these claims and are committed to energetically advocating for your rights.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports that 4,836 workers were killed on the job in the U.S. in 2015. This is, on average, more than 93 a week or more than 13 deaths each day. Of the total workplace fatalities that occurred in 2015, about 21.4 percent were in the construction industry. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 150 fatal work injuries in North Carolina in 2015, which was an increase from the 137 deaths in the previous year. The BLS also found that over 74,000 non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported among North Carolina’s private industry employers in 2015.

Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that pays monetary benefits, such as medical costs and lost wages, to workers who become injured, ill, or disabled due to a workplace incident. The insurance policy is paid entirely by the employer and is free for the employee. Under North Carolina law, most employers with three or more employees are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, although there are some limited exceptions. This law is designed to make sure that employees who are hurt on the job have some recourse when it comes to dealing with these injuries and the setbacks that are often associated with them. However, it is often hard to navigate the process without the assistance of a workers’ compensation attorney, who can advise Raleigh residents and others on what to expect.

Under workers’ compensation laws in North Carolina, workers who are injured in an accident that happens in the “course and scope” of their employment can typically seek benefits through a workers’ compensation claim. In other words, if your job caused or contributed to your injury or illness, you will be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. This includes workers who are injured at the regular job site as well as workers who are off-site doing required employment tasks. It is important to note that it does not matter who was at fault in causing the accident and the resulting injuries. As a result, an injured worker can receive workers’ compensation benefits in North Carolina even if they caused their own accident.

Workers’ compensation benefits are intended to provide compensation for 100 percent of medical expenses, for lost wages if your injuries cause you to miss work, for the cost of transportation to doctor’s visits, and for any ongoing disability, depending on the nature and severity of the injury. You should be aware that workers’ compensation does not pay benefits for pain and suffering. North Carolina workers’ compensation laws also provide benefits for dependents of workers who are killed in a work-related accident.

Workplace accidents can lead to severe and long-lasting injuries. Fortunately, workers who are hurt on the job have certain legal rights. At Maurer Law, we can examine the facts of your case and help you pursue the compensation that you need to deal with your injuries. We are committed to being a client-focused and results-oriented firm, meaning that we will give each case the personalized attention that it deserves. We also assist injured workers in Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, and Fayetteville. To discuss your case in more detail with a Raleigh workers’ compensation attorney, call us at 888-258-1087 or contact us online.