FAQs – Workers Compensation

A. Generally, lawyers will charge a contingent fee of 25% of the settlement. Contingent fees are payable only if the case is successful. While most fees are set at the settlement of the case, some fees are collected while the claim is pending. Charging legal fees at any time without approval of the NC Industrial…

A. Yes. WC law recognizes mental or physical ailments that prevent you from working at your pre injury job or other “suitable” employment making similar earnings. Disability that results from pure mental difficulties are compensable but generally have to be supported by treating mental health care professionals.

A. The key to the question of whether you are disabled under WC law or not is based on how the physical or mental ailment(s) you have impact your ability to earn money. No exact listing or threshold exists in NC law for what determines a disability. If you are unable to work at the…

A. NC law permits an injured worker to receive 66%of his or her pre injury gross wages for each week they are unable to work. This salary continuation or temporary total disability (TTD) payment continues until the worker returns to work at the same job or a “suitable” position making similar wages. If the worker…

A. Yes. Generally, a work injury must be an “accident” to be compensable. Back injuries do not have to meet this requirement. NC law accepts back injuries that do not result from “accidents” if the worker can trace the injury to a “specific traumatic incident.” The more precise the time of the incident, the more…

A. If you return to a job paying significantly less wages than pre-accident wages, you may be entitled to 66 2/3% of the wage differential. Since NC Law is based on actual earning capacity, a loss of ability to make money might be compensable. Claims based on lower earning capacity are difficult to prove and…

A. Work injury related depression and other mental impairments may be compensable under NC Law. Our appellate courts are regularly expanding the consideration of mental and physical ailments that result from your employment and/or inability to work after a physical injury. If you believe your work injury caused or deepened any mental difficulty you might…

A. If you can never return to any type of work because of your workers’ compensation injury, the Industrial Commission can award lifetime benefits. These benefits can include payment of your compensation rate for the rest of your life, plus future medical treatment associated with your WC injury. If the treating doctor determines you are…

A. When a doctor releases you from care, a permanent disability rating may be assigned to your injured body part. A rating means that you will never again be 100% healthy in that body part. Whether you can return to work depends on the severity of your injury and how that injury affects your ability…

A. As soon as possible, you should file a Form 18 (Notice of Accident or Injury) with the Industrial Commission and employer informing them that you wish to make a claim. While N.C. law requires this Form 18 to be filed within thirty (30) days, an absolute time limit of two (2) years may be…