Charlotte On-The-Job Injury Lawyer

Charlotte On-The-Job Injury Attorney

A workplace injury can leave you with serious injuries and thousands of dollars in medical bills. A Charlotte on-the-job injury lawyer can listen to your situation and help you avoid financial destruction after an accident. Employers have a responsibility to provide workers’ compensation coverage for employee accidents, and an experienced workplace injury attorney can help, regardless of what may have caused your accident at work.

Having a job is one of the most valuable aspects of one’s life. It is an opportunity to gain experience and knowledge, as well as additional connections with people who can help build your career that will last a lifetime. Earning financial independence through having a job is an accomplishment that should be celebrated. The hard work, focus, and determination to earn a living and provide for yourself and your family should be respected and supported.

Unfortunately, some jobs come with inherent risks and possible injuries. These risks should be taken seriously by the people who can affect change in a workplace to prevent injuries from occurring. Ensuring that employees are aware of the risks and how to protect themselves in the workplace is key. Unfortunately, not everyone does this in an effective manner, which can lead to injuries that may take significant time and money to recover from.

This is why it is important for all employees who suffer a work-related injury to be aware that they do have the right to file an on-the-job injury claim. This is true whether the injuries occurred in North Carolina or another state. However, laws for personal injury claims against employers are very strict. If you have been injured while working, discuss your case with a Charlotte on-the-job injury lawyer as soon as possible.

On-The-Job Lawyers Serving the Charlotte, NC Area

If you have been injured while on the job or believe that your current injury is the result of negligence on the part of your place of employment, your first step is to seek medical care. Even if you believe the incident caused minimal suffering to you, it could be the first sign of a more serious injury. Some of the most common on-the-job injuries include:

• Vehicle collisions: Whether you are driving a company truck to get to a job or are struck by a car during your workday while not driving, accidents involving vehicles are one of the most common ways employees suffer injuries.
• Machinery accidents: From malfunctioning equipment to accidents involving backhoes and tractors, many employees suffer devastating harm due to negligence or poorly maintained equipment. Entanglements and electrocutions are common injuries due to machinery mishaps.
• Slip and fall incidents: Injuries from slip and fall accidents can be much more dangerous than they sound. Wet surfaces, unkempt stairwells, or uneven flooring are all hazards that could lead to broken bones, head trauma, and skin abrasions.
• Repetitive motion injuries: Even the most innocuous movement can cause serious damage if it is repeated constantly. Unfortunately, that is simply the requirement of some jobs. Some fields where repetitive motion injuries are common include office work and typing, assembly-line jobs, and some construction/demolition work.
• Struck by or struck against: Being hit by an object or an object striking a person can lead to devastating injuries, especially if the strike is to the head. These types of injuries are common in construction or demolition work.
• Workplace violence: Your employer is legally required to ensure your place of work is safe, and that includes being safe from other employees. If you’ve been injured at your place of work due to workplace violence, discuss your case with our firm.

If you have been injured in these types of incidents, you should contact a medical professional immediately. Be sure to get documentation from the physician attending to your injury, including when it happened, that it occurred on the job and its severity. Follow your physician’s advice. Failure to do so may suggest to a potential jury that your injuries aren’t severe enough to require compensation.

After seeing a medical professional, talk to your employer and request any records of the incident. Then, contact the experienced Charlotte on-the-job injury attorneys at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler. An attorney can help you file a claim if necessary and assist you in the event that your workplace is responsible for your injury. Having a lawyer with your side is important because they will work hard to recover the compensation that you need and deserve.

Find the Right Help

Injuries vary from person to person, and the injuries that you have sustained may be unique. This is why it is important to work with a professional who understands the personal injury process and knows how to handle each case that is brought to them with care and attention. The personal injury lawyers at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler will be dedicated to helping you attain the compensation that you deserve.

Accidents Are Common On-The-Job

Injuries can happen at any job. No matter what your profession is, if you work in an environment where there are moving parts or heavy machinery, you are at risk for an accident. Even if your job is low risk, something can happen that causes your injury to be work-related. Some of the most common injuries on the job include:

• Cuts, lacerations, and bruises that come from moving equipment or falling objects.
• Injuries sustained from a lack of safety equipment or not following proper protocol for working with hazardous objects.
• Back injuries from a physical aspect of a job that requires heavy lifting, moving of objects, or putting oneself in a bent-over position for long periods of time.
• Chronic pain caused by being exposed to elements in the workplace, working with dangerous machinery or chemicals, or working long hours.

These are just some of the injuries that people who work in North Carolina face every day. If you have been injured while on the job, you should seek assistance from a legal professional as soon as possible.

Negligence in On-The-Job Injuries

There are many ways that an accident can occur on the job. Sometimes, accidents are truly unavoidable, but others might be the result of negligence. One of the most essential factors when starting an on-the-job injury claim is determining whether your employer was negligent. Negligence in a personal injury claim in North Carolina has unique regulations, so discuss your case with our firm if you are considering a claim.

The party who you are suing owes you a duty of care. This is an obligation that must be fulfilled to provide a safe working environment for everyone involved. To prove that their negligence caused your injuries, the following must be established:

• They did not fulfill their duty of care owed to you as an employee.
• Your injuries were a result of their negligence, whether intentional or not.
• You were injured, and there is a clear link between the injury and their negligence.

When you are able to establish these three factors, it becomes easier to prove your case. If you are unable to do so, then your case might be dismissed. It is important that you have the right lawyer to establish these three factors for you so that you can be appropriately compensated.

North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Laws

The North Carolina workers’ compensation system is set up to provide injured workers with the financial assistance they need to cover medical bills and living expenses. Workers’ compensation benefits are available for both temporary and permanent injuries, including when a worker dies from an on-the-job injury.

In North Carolina, workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy for injured employees. This means that you cannot sue your employer for damages if you are injured at work. However, there are a few exceptions to the exclusive remedy rule. These include cases in which the employer did something to intentionally cause injury, the injury was caused by another employee who has criminal intent to harm, or there is a situation where the employer failed to follow basic safety procedures.

The only way that you will be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits in North Carolina is if you report your injury to your employer within 30 days of the accident. Also, in North Carolina, you have two years following the date of your workplace injury to file your claim. Once you’ve reported your injury at work, your employer can’t retaliate against you.

Employees Are Protected Against Workplace Retaliation

North Carolina law protects employees against retaliation if they’ve filed a claim for workers’ compensation, which includes employees who have testified about or provided information about a claim. Retaliation at work generally means you were the victim of a negative action, such as:

• You were fired
• You were demoted
• You received a negative performance review or evaluation
• Your benefits or salary were cut
• Your hours were changed or reduced
• You were given a new shift
• You’ve been excluded from any new projects
• You were transferred
• You were facing physical or verbal abuse
• You were denied overtime work or a scheduled raise

If you believe your employer is retaliating because of your workers’ comp claim, you might be entitled to financial recovery. You can document everything, report the retaliation, and consult a Charlotte on-the-job injury lawyer to explain your rights, look over your case, and discuss your legal options. Once you’ve filed a workers’ compensation claim, your employer has certain responsibilities to assist with your claim.

Employer Responsibilities for Workers’ Compensation Claims

North Carolina employers have certain responsibilities once you report an injury and workers’ compensation claim. Your employer must report the claim to their workers’ comp insurance carrier right away. Also, they must provide any necessary medical treatment for you, which is why it’s important to report your injury immediately.

Your employer is required to provide you with an NCIC Form 18 to start your workers’ comp claim and under certain circumstances, they must file an NCIC Form 19. If they file an NCIC Form 19, they’ll give you a copy of the filed document.

If Your Workers’ Comp Claim Was Denied – The Appeal Process

If your claim was denied and you disagree with the outcome, you can appeal. You can contact a trusted workplace injury attorney to discuss the reason for the denial and for help with the paperwork to appeal the claim decision.

To appeal a claim benefits decision, you can file an NCIC Form 33 once you’ve been denied benefits. You can ask for a hearing by filing Form 33. If your appeal was unsuccessful, within 15 days after the filed decision, you can then file an NCIC Form 44 to have a three-judge panel review the decision. If you decide the outcome is insufficient from the three-judge panel, you can request another appeal through the court with the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can provide legal assistance during the entire appeals process. The team at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler has extensive experience helping employees resolve denial appeals and can provide reliable legal advice based on your specific circumstances. Contact a knowledgeable attorney to discuss your legal options and rights.

How Can an On-The-Job Lawyer Help Me?

If you have been hurt on the job, you need to contact a legal professional immediately. Your lawyer will help you file a workers’ compensation claim to assist you in getting the benefits you deserve. If your employer was not negligent and your injuries were a result of another person’s actions, then you might be able to file a third-party injury claim.

Your lawyer can help you figure out whether this is the case or not. On-the-job injury cases do not only include physical injuries. If you are unable to work because of chronic pain, your lawyer can help you receive compensation for your inability to work. Your Charlotte On-The-Job Injury Lawyer will also help you determine if the injury is one that requires a permanent disability or if it can be treated with medical procedures.

If you are suffering from emotional distress because of the accident, your On-The-Job Injury Lawyer at Charlotte, NC will help you determine if your injuries qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. Finally, if you or a loved one has been killed in an on-the-job accident, your lawyer will help you file a wrongful death claim against the negligent party. The top benefits of hiring a lawyer for your case include:

• Ensure the required paperwork is complete.
• Establish that the employer owed the employee a duty of care.
• Prove that there is a direct link between the injury and the employer’s negligence.
• Prove that the injury caused by the employer has directly affected your ability to work.

What Are Third-Party Injury Claims?

In some cases, you might be able to file a third-party injury claim against another person. This is only the case when the individual is negligent, and their actions led to the injury.

For example, suppose you were injured as a result of a defective product that your employer was using. In that case, you might be able to file a third-party injury claim against the product manufacturer. Another example is when a construction worker is injured in a fall because a mat was not in place. In this case, the company that failed to put down the mat could be held responsible for the injury.

North Carolina workers’ compensation tends to cover injuries that occur at work and on company property. This means you might be able to file a third-party injury claim only in the case that you were hurt outside of work or on a separate piece of property. Working closely with an attorney will help you determine if the individual who caused your injury is liable and if you have any grounds for a third-party injury claim.

What Compensation Offerings Are Possible with On-The-Job Injury?

When an employee experiences an injury on the job,various forms of compensation might be possible. If the injury results in permanent disability, your employer must provide you with permanency benefits. This means that they will pay you a weekly benefit to help cover the costs of your injury. The amount will vary depending on the nature and severity of your disability.

If your injury causes you to be unable to work, you will receive temporary total disability (TTD) benefits. You will receive these benefits for a set period of time. If the injury requires extensive medical treatment, you might be eligible to receive medical benefits. These benefits are designed to cover all necessary medical costs associated with the injury.

Due to your injury, you could be entitled to compensation for:

• Loss of Income: If you were hurt and unable to work, you might be able to file for loss of income benefits. These benefits can defray the costs of living and can help you maintain your standard of living while you are unable to work.
• Medical Costs: Your employer could cover all medical costs related to your injury, especially if ongoing treatment is required to address your injuries that were sustained at the fault of your employer.
• Pain and Suffering: You might be entitled to receive compensation for pain and suffering. This could include any physical or emotional distress that you experienced as a result of your injuries.
• Death Benefits: If you were killed in the accident, your family might be entitled to file a wrongful death claim against your employer.

When seeking workers’ compensation benefits for an on-the-job injury, you should contact an on-the-job personal injury lawyer to help ensure that your rights are protected and all possibilities to earn compensation are explored and met.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Lawyers Time

When you contact a lawyer on your own, there are some things that will help them to get the most out of their time and services.

During the first meeting, tell your lawyer everything they need to know about your injury. This includes details about how you were injured and anything that might be relevant to your case. Be accurate and honest about your injury. If you are unable to work, be sure to tell them everything they need to know about your ability to work.

Be prepared to provide any documentation or information that will help support your case. This includes medical records and evidence that proves that you are unable to work.

If you have already taken steps to obtain benefits, be prepared to provide your lawyer with any information they need to advance your claim, including the name of the insurance company that you are dealing with and how much coverage you have. If you seek compensation for pain and suffering, be prepared to provide documentation showing how your injury has caused you distress. This might include medical records or other documentation.

Be Honest

Be honest about your goals and expectations for compensation. If you are seeking only pain and suffering damages, tell them this. This will help them to better assist you. You should not hesitate to ask your lawyer about their experience or the likelihood of winning. This information is helpful when you are involved in any legal proceedings and can help you make a sound decision about your case.

Charlotte Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help in On-The-Job Accidents

All of us depend on the ability to earn wages to keep our families safe and provide for our needs. When an accident happens on the job, this ability is not only compromised but can often be lost. The costs of medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering can quickly mount. This might leave you unable to work for an extended period or might even prevent you from ever returning to your profession.

When another person’s negligence causes you harm, it can be difficult to know what to do. It is important that you contact an experienced personal injury lawyer when dealing with on-the-job accidents to ensure your rights.

Your employer is legally obligated to ensure a safe workspace. If you’ve suffered an injury due to their failure, find responsible and caring legal advice. At Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler, we believe that no one should have to bear the burden of an on-the-job injury alone.

Contact Our Team

Our Charlotte personal injury lawyers are here to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. We know that the legal system can be intimidating and have years of experience navigating it successfully while protecting our clients’ interests. If you have been injured on the job, contact us today to learn more about your options.