What to Do After a Warehouse Work Injury in Charlotte?

Warehousing is an important element of Charlotte’s economy. While many Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Charlotte, such as Bank of America, Honeywell, and Lowe’s, there are many smaller businesses throughout the area that depend on warehousing for daily operations. If you work in this capacity, it is vital to know what to do after a warehouse work injury in Charlotte.

First Steps After a Warehouse Work Injury in Charlotte

In North Carolina, almost every employer in the state is required to have purchased a workers’ comp insurance policy, and most regular employees are covered. When any type of workplace injury occurs, the employer’s insurance policy can pay for the injured victim’s damages, covering their medical expenses and a portion of the income they are unable to earn while they recover. If you intend to claim these benefits, the first steps after an accident at work are crucial.

In 2023, the Office of the Inspector General issued a report to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), citing an extraordinarily high injury rate in the warehousing sector. In 2021, the rate of injury in this sector was 5.5 per 100 employees, which was more than double the injury rate across all industries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that transportation and warehousing accounted for 13% of all work deaths in North Carolina in 2023.

If you are hurt while working in a warehouse, it is crucial to report the injury to your supervisor right away. If the injury is serious, you need emergency medical attention, and your employer is required to document the injury in an incident report. Once you are able to do so, you should file your claim for workers’ compensation benefits with your employer’s insurance carrier.

Filing Your Workers’ Compensation Claim

As part of your claim filing process, you will likely need to undergo a medical evaluation from a physician approved by your employer’s insurance carrier. This doctor’s job is to assess the overall serious nature of your injury and determine your remaining functional capacity following the injury. They will assign you a disability rating that will determine how much you can receive in disability benefits.

A successful workers’ compensation claim in Charlotte can potentially yield full coverage for your medical expenses, along with ongoing disability benefits during the time you cannot work while you recover. Some claimants will receive partial disability benefits if they are able to work in limited capacities following their injuries; otherwise, they can receive total disability benefits until they recover enough to return to work.

Some injured workers may have grounds to pursue additional legal recourse depending on how their injury occurred. For example, if a third party caused your injury while working in a warehouse, it could form the basis of a third-party personal injury case that, if successful, could significantly enhance your total recovery.

While filing your claim for workers’ compensation will be similar for everyone who must go through it, it is possible for any injured worker to encounter a variety of unexpected complications in their claim that they will not know how to resolve on their own. One of the most important things you can do after a warehouse work injury in Charlotte is to reach out to an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who can help you with your case.

FAQs

Q: What Happens if I Caused My Own Warehousing Work Injury?

A: If you caused your own warehousing work injury, it would not disqualify you from receiving workers’ compensation benefits in most cases. Workers’ compensation functions on a no-fault basis, but if you were working while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or if you intentionally violated workplace safety regulations, these factors may disqualify you from workers’ compensation benefits.

Q: What Can I Hope to Get From Workers’ Comp Benefits in Charlotte?

A: How much you can get in workers’ comp benefits in Charlotte will largely depend on the serious nature of your injury. If your claim is approved, the insurance company should cover the cost of all the medical care you need to recover, and you will receive disability benefits during the time you cannot work due to your injury. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can help you maximize your benefits.

Q: Can I File a Suit Against My Employer for a Warehousing Work Injury?

A: You usually cannot sue your employer for a warehousing work injury if they have purchased a workers’ comp insurance policy. This insurance is meant to function as a sole remedy for an injured worker’s damages and protects the employer from liability. However, if the employer caused the injury by failing to enforce workplace safety regulations, failing to address known safety hazards, or any intentional act, these factors could form grounds for a civil suit.

Q: Why Should I Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney?

A: You should hire a workers’ compensation attorney to have an easier time navigating your legal proceedings after an injury at work. Your attorney can ensure that both your employer and their insurance carrier handle your case in good faith and that you maximize your benefits. Your attorney can also help you explore alternative legal options, such as a third-party personal injury suit if anyone outside of your work caused the injury.

Q: What Should Be Done Immediately After an Injury in the Workplace?

A: The most important things that should be done immediately after an injury in the workplace are reporting the injury to the employer and seeking medical attention. Even if you do not think the injury is serious, you should report it immediately so there will be a documented incident report on file. If you later discover it is more serious than originally thought, you will only be able to file a workers’ compensation claim if you report it right away.

The attorneys at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler can help you make sense of your legal options after a warehousing injury at work in Charlotte. We know that you are likely to have many complex questions about the aftermath of your accident, and our goal is to help you recover as much as possible. When it comes to what to do after a warehouse work injury in Charlotte, reach out to Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler right away and schedule a free consultation with our team.