Charlotte is one of the busiest metropolitan areas in the Southeast, and janitorial and cleaning services are a crucial component of many industries in the area. Uptown is home to many Fortune 500 companies like Bank of America and Honeywell, and SouthPark is home to a great deal of office buildings and retail stores that rely on cleaning staff. If you’re a professional cleaner, a Charlotte janitorial and cleaning work injury lawyer can help if you are hurt at work.
The attorneys at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler provide client-focused legal counsel for all types of workplace injury cases in Charlotte and surrounding areas of North Carolina. We understand that the aftermath of any work injury can be confusing and stressful, and our goal is to help you navigate your legal proceedings with confidence and peace of mind. If you are hurt while working, our team can guide you through filing your claim for workers’ compensation.
Almost all employers in the state are required to have purchased a workers’ comp insurance policy, and most regular employees are covered if they are hurt while working. However, dealing with insurance company representatives can be challenging without an attorney’s help, and you may have grounds for additional legal recourse that could enhance your total recovery.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2020 that private industry cleaners and janitors (with the exception of maids and housekeeping cleaners) sustained about 21,100 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses, resulting in missed work. The incident rate in this industry was 191.6 per 10,000 full-time equivalent workers. Some of the most common injuries were sprains, tears, and strains, with 6,130 incidents, and toxic exposure accounting for 4,740 incidents.
When you are hurt while working, or if you are diagnosed with an illness from work, you must tell your employer right away to start filing your claim for workers’ compensation. Your employer must provide you with the paperwork you need in order to submit your claim to their insurance carrier, and an attorney can help you if you encounter any complications with this process.
As part of the claim filing process, you will likely need to undergo a functional capacity evaluation from a workers’ compensation doctor in your area. They will examine your injury and assign a disability rating that will influence how much you can receive in workers’ compensation benefits. If workers’ compensation approves your claim, you can expect full medical expense coverage and ongoing disability benefits to account for the wages you cannot earn during your recovery.
Janitors and cleaners can potentially suffer debilitating injuries and illnesses that may prevent them from working until they recover or could prevent them from working entirely. Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler can provide comprehensive legal support in this situation, guiding you through filing your claim for workers’ compensation and assisting with any other legal options that may be available to you after your injury at work.
You have a time limit for filing a workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina. It’s vital to report your injury to your employer immediately and to connect with an experienced Charlotte janitorial and cleaning work injury lawyer at your first opportunity to have the greatest chance of success with your case. Reach out to Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler today to learn more about the legal services we offer.
A: No, you typically do not need to prove fault in a workers’ compensation case in Charlotte. Workers’ compensation insurance in North Carolina functions on a no-fault basis, so it is possible to have caused your own injury and still qualify to claim benefits. However, if you caused your injury because you were working under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or if you intentionally violated workplace safety regulations, these factors may disqualify you from receiving benefits.
A: The potential value of a workers’ compensation case in Charlotte largely depends on the overall serious nature of your injury. You can recover compensation for your medical bills and for the income you cannot earn during your recovery, and these disability benefits will be determined based on your disability rating. An experienced Charlotte janitorial and cleaning work injury lawyer can help you maximize your total compensation.
A: You typically cannot sue your employer for an injury at work in Charlotte if they have purchased a workers’ comp insurance policy. This insurance provides a financial safety net to the injured worker while shielding the employer from civil liability for the injured worker’s damages. However, you could have grounds for a personal injury case against a third party if anyone outside of your work is directly responsible for causing your injury.
A: You should hire a Charlotte janitorial and cleaning work injury lawyer to have the greatest possible chance of success with your workers’ compensation case. Even if your employer facilitates your claim in good faith and the situation appears straightforward, you could face unexpected complications or risk settling for fewer benefits than you deserve. Hiring an attorney ensures the greatest chance of a positive outcome for your case.
A: The cost of hiring a Charlotte janitorial and cleaning work injury lawyer from Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler is a portion of your total compensation. We take work injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning our client only pays a fee if and when we win compensation for them. If we are unable to obtain a recovery for you for any reason, you pay nothing.
The attorneys at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler have helped many clients navigate the workers’ compensation system in North Carolina, and we can put this experience to work in your case. If you are ready to speak with an experienced Charlotte janitorial and cleaning work injury lawyer you trust, contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can assist with your recovery.