Hickory is the home of Hickory Motor Speedway and many parks, and just last year, the town had a grand opening for the City Walk. There are many ways to have fun in Hickory. However, it’s hard to focus on having a good time when you’re worried about how long you’ll receive your workers’ comp benefits if you’ve been injured on the job. Maybe you don’t feel ready to go back to work, or perhaps you’re looking to change jobs and need more time. The length of time you can receive benefits depends on various factors, including the severity of your injury and how long it takes to recover.

If you have been injured at work, it is important to contact an experienced workers’ comp lawyer at The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor today. A lawyer can help you file a workers’ compensation claim, understand your rights and options, and can fight for the full benefits that you are entitled to.

What is Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina

Workers’ compensation is a system of insurance that provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill due to their job. Workers’ compensation covers medical expenses, income replacement, and death benefits.

Under North Carolina’s workers’ compensation law, most employers must have workers’ compensation insurance. This means that if you are injured on the job, you are very likely eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits from your employer’s insurance policy.  If you are not sure if your employer or employment is covered by workers’ compensation, you should ask if they do provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Charlotte, North Carolina

Medical Treatment

When you suffer a compensable injury at work, you are entitled to have your medical expenses paid for by workers’ compensation, including hospitalization, doctor’s visits, prescriptions, physical therapy, and other necessary treatment.  In North Carolina, the employer and/or insurance carrier directs care, so if you get treatment from an “unauthorized” provider, the bill may not be paid and you will need to ask the North Carolina Industrial Commission to order the defendants to pay.

Medical treatment under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act is potentially available for life, though in most cases treatment stops when you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI).  MMI is the point at which your doctor feels you have reached maximum healing.  Some injured workers continue to receive medical treatment after reaching MMI, but to make certain you receive such treatment, it is a good idea to get an order from the North Carolina Industrial Commission stating you are entitled to additional treatment.   Normally, if two years pass from the last payment for medical treatment, the claim is closed and you cannot get more treatment through workers’ compensation.  An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help you determine what medical benefits you are entitled to receive. 

Disability Benefits

If you cannot work because of your injuries, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation disability benefits. These benefits can provide you with a portion of your lost wages while out of work.

Temporary Total Disability Benefits (TTD)

If your doctor determines that you are completely unable to work because of your injuries, you may be eligible for TTD benefits. These benefits are typically two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum amount that is set for each year.

Temporary Partial Disability Benefits (TPD)

TPD benefits are paid when you return to work but at reduced wages. These benefits are normally 66 & ⅔ of the difference between the average weekly wage you earned prior to your injury and your current average weekly wage.

Under the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act, an injured worker can receive no more than 500 weeks of TTD or TPD benefits starting from the date they are first disabled as a result of their work injury, although there are a few exceptions to this cap on disability benefits.

Permanent Partial Disability Benefits (PPD)

If you suffer a permanent disability due to your workplace injury, you may be eligible to receive payment for a Permanent Partial Disability rating.  The North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act provides a guide for doctors to assign a percentage rating to the body part you injured.  You are entitled to compensation for the rating, and can also get a second opinion on the rating.

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Contact a Workers’ Comp Lawyer Today

You deserve to get the full benefits that you are entitled to under workers’ compensation. If you have been injured at work, and need help with your workers’ comp case, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced attorney. At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor in Hickory, we work hard to get you the compensation you deserve so you can focus on your recovery and get back to work as soon as possible.