Workers’ Compensation Cases and Costs
It’s not uncommon for workers to get hurt at work. When an accident does happen, though, many people don’t know where to start with their workers’ compensation claim. While injuries can vary in type and severity, experienced attorneys can help you navigate your claim. Below are common injuries that may qualify for workers’ compensation, as well as how you can secure (and afford) the help you deserve.
Qualifying for workers’ compensation
Generally speaking, if you had an accident at work and it led to a workplace injury, you qualify for workers’ compensation. In North Carolina, your injury or illness must have happened “in the course or scope of your employment.” Regardless of fault, if the injury happened while you were at work, then you can apply for workers’ compensation.
Common Injuries
The three most common types of injury are slips/trips and falls, overexertion, and bodily reaction.
A slip or trip that leads to a fall can cause many different injuries, such as broken bones, torn muscles and/or ligaments, or even nerve damage.
Nationally, overexertion is one of the most common types of injuries. These result from pushing, pulling, lifting, throwing or carrying. These activities cause pulled or torn muscles and ligaments and can be long-lasting. However, injuries of this nature are complex to diagnose. Without a finite end of this type of injury, early insurance settlements may not extend for the time of the injury.
Other injuries can be caused in just a moment. Slips and trips often results in sprained ankles or knees. Though they can happen anywhere, they usually happen in areas with machinery, tight spaces or in unusual environments. These are the types of injuries that can be avoided with proper equipment or instruction.
Additionally, the North Carolina Industrial Commission covers occupational diseases, meaning that if you suffer from a disease related to your work environment, you can qualify for workers’ compensation recovery.
Paying for an attorney
Insurance companies and large corporations can afford to pay attorneys hefty hourly rates to defend them on workers’ compensation cases. However, most injured workers do not have this luxury. This is why workers’ compensation attorneys charge a contingency fee that pays a fee of 25% of the benefit and/or the settlement you recover during the case. This does not cost you anything up front, and the attorney only gets paid if you recover. This allows the injured worker to receive excellent legal services and for the law firm to be compensated for their work.
Regardless of the type of your injury, you need an experienced attorney to guide you through your claim process while you recover from your injury. After an injury, make sure to get an attorney early to help maximize the value of your claim. Remember, you don’t have to pay an attorney unless you win your case. Our knowledge and experience can help you receive the best benefits for your injury.
