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THE WORK COMP BLOG

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Do Undocumented Workers Qualify for Workers Compensation?

Immigration reform and enforcement of immigration laws have become a political hot topic, especially in light of Arizona’s enactment of several laws aimed at getting more undocumented residents to leave the state. In North Carolina, that debate hasn’t impacted the state’s workers’ compensation laws.

Under §97-2 of the state’s Workers’ Compensation Act, the definition of “employee” states in part,

(E)very person engaged in an employment under any appointment or contract of hire or apprenticeship, express or implied, oral or written, including aliens, and also minors, whether lawfully or unlawfully employed, but excluding persons whose employment is both casual and not in the course of the trade, business, profession, or occupation of his employer…

The key language is that the law covers “aliens…whether lawfully or unlawfully employed…” Big picture, national immigration issues took a back seat (if they were thought of at all) when the legislature wrote this section and when it was signed into law.

There can be lengthy debates about immigration reform, but in North Carolina, if a worker is hurt on the job and otherwise qualifies for benefits, his or her immigration status is irrelevant. Under federal law, employers are required to at least try to find out the status of a job applicant and not hire the person if he or she can’t legally work in the U.S. But that doesn’t impact workers’ compensation benefits once a person is hired, legally or not.

If undocumented workers couldn’t get workers’ compensation benefits, it would make it cheaper for employers to hire undocumented workers and create an incentive to break federal law, since these workers wouldn’t have to be covered by workers compensation insurance. If an undocumented worker couldn’t work because of an on the job injury, the employer could wash its hands of the worker. Given the person’s immigration status, the worker would probably be reluctant to file a personal injury action to get compensation and payment for medical bills.

No matter what your immigration status, if you have questions about workers’ compensation or are thinking about filing a claim, contact our office.

P: 828-252-2852

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FREQUENTLY ASKED WORKERS' COMPENSATION QUESTIONS

Q. If I make a settlement in a personal injury arising out of a work injury, do I have to pay the workers’ compensation insurance back for money they have already paid me?

A. Sometimes. NC law is very complicated on these obligations. A Superior Court Judge can be asked to set what, if any, lien is due the workers’ compensation insurance carrier when a settlement is proposed on a civil lawsuit over the same accident. Once the Superior Court Judge sets the amount of the lien that is due, the NC Industrial Commission will issue an ORDER concerning disbursement of future workers’ compensation payments. You should consult a specialist in workers’ compensation law to avoid potential liens and pay back requirements.

Q. What if I have problems after I settle my workers’ compensation claim?

A. Most insurance companies will try to “clinch” or close out the claim when they offer a settlement. This means you can never reopen your claim and cannot get any more medical treatment paid by the carrier. Other settlements can be reached that allow you to reopen the claim for at least a two (2) year period after settlement if your condition changes. Whether you should “clinch” or leave the case open for the two (2) year period is an important decision that should not be made without a complete evaluation of how any future medical expenses will be handled. Medicare and Medicaid have the right to question future medical expenses that result from you work injury.

Q. Can I draw Workers’ Compensation weekly checks and Social Security checks at the same time?

A. Yes, but your Social Security check will be reduced or offset by the amount of your Workers’ Compensation check. Social Security law mandates an offset of disability checks when your combined income totals 80% of more of your pre injury earnings. Federal law requires that you report all income or benefits that you receive while receiving Social Security checks. The offset or reduction in Social Security benefits can be lessened or minimized by careful planning and legal wording in your Workers’ Compensation settlement. You should consult a qualified lawyer to help you maximize your payments from each source.

Q. I was involved in a car accident while working. Can I make a claim against the car insurance in addition to the workers’ compensation insurance company?

A. Yes. You will likely have a workers’ compensation claim regardless of how the car accident occurred. If the wreck was caused by someone else’s negligence, you will also have a personal injury claim against the responsible party. You should consult a lawyer familiar with both personal injury and workers’ compensation law to make sure these claims are brought in proper legal procedure. Failure to coordinate both claims could result in enforceable liens of one or both of the insurance payouts.

Can my employer fire me while I am on WC?

Retaliatory Employment Discrimination Act (REDA) protects employees who file WC claims. This law allows employees to sue the employer for monetary damages if the employer fires, demotes, punishes or takes any retaliatory action against the employee just because the employee files or testifies in a workers' compensation case. An attorney can give you the correct form to file a REDA complaint with the Department of Labor or you may call the Department of Labor at 1-800-522-6762.

Q. What if my work injury causes or exacerbates my depression or other mental illness?

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 have possessed before or after the actual injury, you should fully discuss your thoughts with your mental counsellor. The Industrial commission is increasingly aware of and open to the concept that mental ailments can be as significant as physical ones.

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Contemporaneous Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability Claims

Contemporaneous Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability Benefit

Compassionate North Carolina Social Security Disability Lawyer

David Gantt describes his History in Helping People with Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability Cases

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