By Kevin Jones, NC Board Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist and New Bern NC Lawyer
If you have recently been injured in a work-related accident in New Bern, North Carolina, you need to understand your rights and responsibilities as it relates to filing a claim. Our accident injury law firm is here for a free case evaluation and legal representation.
The vast majority of employers across North Carolina including those in New Bern are required to have workers’ compensation insurance or to be qualified by the State of North Carolina as a self-insured employer to cover work-related injuries.
Here’s an important piece of information: Under the NC workplace injury laws it is Presumed Workers and Employers are covered under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act.
Whether you were injured on a construction site, on the job at BSH Home Appliances Corporation, Moen Inc., Weyerhaeuser or while working for any of the more than 2,000 businesses in Craven County, the right lawyer can help you figure out your rights.
Our lawyers at the Dodge Jones Personal Injury Law Firm help people with:
I went to law school and returned home because I want to help people. I grew up in eastern North Carolina and went to high school in Carteret County. My clients are often people I’ve known for about forever – Kevin Jones, New Bern NC lawyer
Choosing your New Bern NC Lawyer
How Workers’ Comp Helps Injured Employees in NCA no-fault workers’ compensation system exists in North Carolina which means that as an employee you are not responsible for proving that an employer behaved negligently or carelessly in order to receive the benefits.
There are many different types of benefits to which a New Bern workers’ compensation victim may be entitled, including:
Since a workplace accident can make it difficult or impossible for you to return to the position at which you were working prior to the accident, you need to understand the full scope of your rights prior to filing a claim.
Contributory Negligence, while important to NC car accident cases, isn’t really a consideration in NC comp claims. Even if you hurt yourself, by accident, it’s likely you’re still covered under the NC workplace injury laws – Kevin Jones, NC Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
How to File a New Bern Workers’ Compensation ClaimThe first step involved in filing a workers’ compensation claim in New Bern is to notify your employer. It is strongly recommended that you do this in writing and immediately after the accident has occurred. If you failed to tell your employer about your accident and your intention to file a New Bern workers’ compensation Notice of Accident to Employer Form and Claim, you could lose access to your benefits. There are exceptions to the 30 day notice requirement, however, you may need a lawyer to help you if it has been more than 30 days.
You should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. If you are sent to a particular doctor or medical practice by your employer or the insurance adjuster, you may very well be concerned about the medical advice and treatment you are receiving. It may take a lawyer’s help to get the medical treatment or testing that you really need.
Receiving medical treatment and reporting your work injury to your employer does not initiate a North Carolina workers’ compensation claim.
Do NOT assume your work comp claim has been properly filed, even if you told your employer. Advising your boss of an on the job injury (workplace accident) is not the same as filing a proper claim for injuries under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act.
There are important filing requirements that are necessary to protect and preserve your legal rights after an accident at work in North Carolina. That’s why it makes sense to obtain legal representation as soon as possible.
The claim only begins when you file a notice of accident to employer and claim of employee Form 18 with the North Carolina Industrial Commission. A copy of that form should also be provided to your employer. Your New Bern workers’ compensation claim has to be filed no later than two years after your workplace injury, although there are exceptions in certain circumstances.
How To File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Time Limits for a New Bern Workers’ Comp ClaimIf your illness or injury has developed over time, you must file your claim within two years of becoming incapable of the earning wages you were receiving at the time of your incapacity and you have been informed by competent medical authority of the nature and work-related causes of your illness or injury, whichever occurs later. The stages of a North Carolina workers’ compensation claim after you have submitted it involves a copy being sent to your workers’ compensation administrator or employer’s insurance company.
An insurance company must inform you about approval or denial of your New Bern workers’ compensation claim no later than 14 days after your claim has been received. However, insurance adjusters often ignore this requirement. Many people who have valid workers’ compensation claims will find that their benefits request is denied immediately.
Choosing a Work Comp Lawyer in New Bern
Having an experienced New Bern workers’ compensation attorney to assist you with this process and navigating the complex appeals procedure can be extremely beneficial. You may still be able to recover benefits for your claims. Our law firm Workers' compensation lawyer in New Bern NC, Kevin Jones, is here to help.
If your claim is approved immediately and you cannot work due to your injury, you will begin getting disability payments and other benefits. If that does not happen, you do have the right to an appeal and it is strongly recommended that you consult with an attorney who is a Board Certified Specialist in workers’ compensation law.
Now is the time to call for legal representation for your North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Claims.
New Bern Office
408 Broad Street
New Bern, NC 28562
252-639-1787