Monroe Medical Benefits Attorney

Monroe Medical Benefits Lawyer

Despite the best efforts of most North Carolina employers to maintain safe workplaces and prevent employee injuries, workplace injuries happen throughout all industries operating in the Monroe, NC, area. Some workplace accidents occur because of unforeseen issues that no one could have anticipated. Others, unfortunately, occur from intentional acts of harm, egregious negligence in the workplace, or failure to uphold applicable safety regulations.

Helping Injured Monroe, NC, Workers Secure Medical Benefits for Workplace Injuries

Every state enforces different laws pertaining to workplace injuries and workers’ compensation insurance requirements for employers. In North Carolina, virtually every employer must have workers’ compensation insurance, and almost every full-time employee is covered by their workers’ compensation policy. Therefore, if your recent injury happened while you were working, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim and seek benefits that can help your recovery, and a Monroe medical benefits attorney can help.

A successful workers’ compensation claim generally yields two types of compensation to the claimant. First, they can secure ongoing disability benefits if they cannot work for a long time because of their injury. These payments can help offset the economic burden of not being able to work. The second form of compensation is medical benefits. While ongoing disability benefits are crucial for some claimants, and this aspect of workers’ compensation is typically the most contentious, it is arguably more important to ensure that you receive appropriate medical benefits that address your injury.

Benefits of Hiring a Monroe Medical Benefits Attorney

If you sustain an injury at work, you should report it immediately to begin the workers’ compensation claim as quickly as possible. However, you should consult an experienced Monroe medical benefits attorney before accepting a settlement for your claim. It’s imperative that you receive full compensation for the medical expenses your injury will entail immediately following the injury and until your recovery is complete.

Connecting with a Monroe medical benefits attorney as soon as possible after your workplace injury will significantly improve your chances of success with your claim. Legal counsel makes the entire claim process easier to manage. Your legal team can aid you in filing your initial workers’ compensation claim, consult with your doctor to assess the full scope of medical benefits you require, and guide you through the settlement process for your claim.

The attorneys at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler have an extensive professional record of successful workers’ compensation claims in Monroe and surrounding areas of North Carolina. We understand the challenges facing injured workers and the obstacles that often get between them, and the benefits they need for their injuries. We provide individualized legal representation to every client we represent in North Carolina workers’ compensation claims, taking time to learn each client’s unique needs and concerns and guiding them through their claims as efficiently as possible.

When you choose an experienced Monroe medical benefits lawyer to represent you, it not only makes handling the procedural side of your case easier but also increases your chances of maximizing the benefits you secure. You may also be able to seek further legal action that you did not immediately recognize. Ultimately, for the best chance of recovering the compensation you need from a workplace injury, you need legal representation you can trust.

How Medical Benefits Are Awarded to Workers’ Compensation Claimants in NC

When you file a workers’ compensation claim, the process is very much like filing an insurance claim of any sort. The insurance company must review and investigate the claim, and they may request additional documentation from the claimant. Insurance companies are legally obligated to process all claims in good faith, but they are incentivized to reduce claim settlements or deny claims whenever possible.

Most workers’ compensation claimants can expect their employers’ insurance carriers to cover all the medical treatment costs they incurred from their workplace injuries. However, once you submit your claim and receive a disability rating from a workers’ compensation physician, the terms of your employer’s policy and North Carolina state law typically dictate the extent of your benefits. Workers’ compensation should cover all initial medical expenses, such as emergency room treatment and hospital care, and it will also compensate you for ongoing treatment expenses.

Many injured workers will require medical devices such as crutches or wheelchairs while they recover. In addition, chronic pain and other symptoms typically demand prescription medication, and a specific injury may benefit from specialized treatments. While there are limits to the treatments, a workers’ compensation insurance policy covers most injured workers who file legitimate claims and awards full compensation for all immediate and future medical expenses connected to their damages until they reach maximum medical recovery.

What to Do About Disputes Regarding Your Workers’ Compensation Claim

In addition to medical benefits, an injured worker can also expect ongoing disability benefits that compensate them for their missing income when their injuries force them to stay home from work. However, this aspect of a workers’ compensation claim could be contentious for several reasons. First, the injured claimant may not receive the response they hope to hear from the insurance carrier regarding their ongoing disability benefits.

You will need reliable legal counsel to navigate these situations if you encounter problems with your workers’ compensation claim. If your claim is unfairly denied, you may need to file an appeal to the insurance company and/or a complaint with the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC). You will need legal representation for these matters, and Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler can assist you in securing a favorable result for your workers’ compensation claim in Monroe.

While most injured employers can secure the benefits they need with minimal problems, others are not so fortunate. Some employers are not helpful to injured employees or even actively interfere with workers’ compensation claims. Some retaliate illegally against injured workers, firing them in the hope of avoiding increases in their insurance premiums. It’s also possible for an insurance carrier to mishandle a claim. You will need an attorney’s help to hold the insurance company accountable for any such problems with your claim.

Taking Legal Action Outside of Workers’ Compensation

If you face long-term medical complications and reduced capacity to earn income because of a workplace injury in Monroe, medical benefits from a workers’ compensation claim are an invaluable lifeline. However, you may have more options for recovering your losses outside of the benefits provided by your workers’ compensation claim. In North Carolina, injured employees cannot file civil lawsuits against their employers regarding workplace injuries. The workers’ compensation system aims to protect employers from liability for workplace injuries while ensuring injured workers receive appropriate compensation for their damages.

There are exceptions, however. If an employer didn’t have workers’ compensation insurance or caused the injury on purpose, the injured worker likely has grounds to file a personal injury claim for their workplace injury. It’s also possible to have reasons for a third-party claim if someone outside of the workplace caused the injury. For example, many people must work in various places daily or drive as their primary job duties. The location where an injury occurred is not as important as what the victim was doing when it occurred for the purposes of filing a workers’ compensation claim.

If you were performing your job duties when you sustained your injury, you qualify to file a workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina regardless of the exact location of the incident. In addition, when you have grounds to pursue a civil claim against the party responsible for your injury, workers’ compensation can provide an initial recovery, and your successful civil claim can recover the rest of your outstanding damages.

What to Expect From Your Monroe Medical Benefits Attorney

The Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler team has years of experience helping clients navigate their workers’ compensation claims in Monroe and surrounding communities of North Carolina. We know the challenges you are likely to face after sustaining any serious workplace injury that may pose future medical complications. The medical benefits that could be available to you from your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier are likely essential for your recovery and the financial stability of your household. Therefore, we aim to maximize your compensation so you can recover as fully as possible from your injuries.

When you choose our firm to help you recover medical benefits through a workers’ compensation claim, we will do everything we can to streamline your claim proceedings as much as possible. If any issues arise with the insurance carrier, we can address them efficiently so you secure the medical benefits you need as soon as possible. In addition, if you encounter any problems with your claim for medical benefits or if you want to seek further legal recourse in tandem with a workers’ compensation claim, we will be happy to guide you through these situations too. Our team has helped many past clients maximize their workers’ compensation benefits and can address the unique challenges your case presents.

FAQs

Q: How Long Can I Receive Medical Benefits for My Workplace Injury in North Carolina?

A: Your benefits determination hinges on your injury’s severity and its long-term effects. Most injured workers can expect medical benefits that completely cover their initial emergency medical expenses, hospital care, emergency transportation, prescription medications, and any other medical services required for the claimant to fully heal from their injury and manage their long-term symptoms effectively. However, the time you can continue receiving benefits depends on the terms of your employer’s policy and the severity of your condition.

Q: What Happens If I Develop Worsened Symptoms After a Medical Benefits Determination?

A: The terms of your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy should state that a claimant is entitled to full compensation for any medical treatment costs associated with healing their injuries and managing their symptoms while they work to recover. Your benefits determination will consider your initial medical reports, but your condition could change over time. If your injury causes delayed symptoms or your symptoms do not improve as expected, your Monroe medical benefits attorney will help you determine your options for resolving the issue.

Q: Can I Be Fired While on Workers’ Compensation?

A: North Carolina law does not allow employers to fire employees who are on temporary disability for workplace injuries. Your employer may need to hire a temporary replacement for your position, but your job should be waiting for you once you recover if you are still medically able to perform your work duties. If not, your employer may offer an alternative position, and you could continue receiving workers’ compensation partial disability benefits to account for any difference in income compared to your previous position.

Q: How Long Does It Take to Receive Medical Benefits?

A: An injured worker can see any available doctor in an emergency, but they typically must undergo medical examinations conducted by physicians approved by their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier. This physician assigns a claimant a disability rating. Once the insurance company reviews the details of the claim and the claimant’s injuries, they should issue a settlement offer relatively quickly. Again, your attorney can provide an estimate of your claim’s most likely timetable.

Q: Is It Worth Hiring a Monroe Medical Benefits Attorney?

A: Legal counsel you can trust is an invaluable asset, no matter what your workers’ compensation claim entails. Your legal team can streamline the claim process and help you secure the benefits you need much faster than you initially expected. If any disputes arise regarding your workers’ compensation claim, you will be prepared to address them with your attorney’s assistance. You could also have further legal options for recovery that you will need their help to realize. Hiring legal representation can significantly improve the quality of your recovery from a workplace injury in Monroe, NC.

The attorneys at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler are ready to provide the legal counsel you must have to secure medical benefits from a workers’ compensation claim in Monroe. We have helped many clients through situations like yours and will leverage our experience on your behalf. Contact us today to set up a consultation with a Monroe medical benefits attorney you can trust with your claim.