Albemarle Repetitive Stress Injury Lawyer

Albemarle Repetitive Stress Injury Attorney

While many think of major injuries as the main possibility in the workplace, repetitive stress injuries are more common, and they can also be debilitating in the long term. If you’ve recently realized that you have such an injury, an Albemarle repetitive stress injury lawyer can safeguard your rights as a North Carolina worker.

Hire a Repetitive Stress Injury Lawyer Today

A repetitive stress injury is caused by repetitive motions and constant use. This results in damage to your muscles, tendons, or nerves. The lawyers at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler understand how destabilizing a workplace injury can be. With over 100 years of combined legal experience, they dedicated their professional lives to getting injured clients the compensation they deserve.

We offer initial consultations to those in Albemarle and the surrounding towns who are suffering after a workplace injury or illness. Let us take care of the legal process so you can focus on your recovery.

What to Do After a Workplace Injury in Albemarle, NC

In Stanly County, major employers include Atrium Health, Monarch & Co International, and Michelin. It’s common for residents to work in manufacturing and management roles. Repetitive stress injuries do not discriminate and can happen to anyone in any industry.

If you experienced a workplace injury, you’ll need to report it to your employer, both verbally and in writing, within 30 days. In North Carolina, workers’ compensation covers any injuries that happen due to a workplace incident. Most injuries are covered under workers’ compensation insurance as long as your workplace has three or more employees.

As soon as you recognize that you’ve developed a repetitive stress injury, you’ll want to seek medical treatment right away. Be sure to let your doctor know that the injury is due to your job, as this will support your claim.

During this period, it’s important to keep detailed records, such as: 

• Medical records
• Medical bills
• Doctors’ visits
• Prescriptions

Because of the nature of a repetitive stress injury, North Carolina employers often try to deny workers’ compensation benefits to injured employees. These injuries aren’t a singular cataclysmic event; they happen gradually over an extended period.

It can be difficult to prove that the injury was caused by work. During this time, it’s important to hire a repetitive stress injury lawyer. They can gather evidence and prove that your job environment led to the injury.

The Types of Benefits You’re Entitled To

Those who engage in repetitive motions as a daily part of their work are more at risk. In 2023, 9.23% of Albemarle workers were in management occupations, and 8.74% worked in office and administration support. The frequent use of computers may seem low-risk, but it can actually be a major cause of repetitive stress injuries, such as tendonitis or carpal tunnel.

Even roles in retail and food, like baristas, are at high risk. In North Carolina, workers’ compensation insurance provides injured workers with benefits such as:

• Medical treatment: Medical treatment is generally arranged by the employer or their insurer, but workers can request a change in providers with approval. Medical treatment can typically cover whatever is needed to help the employee recover, such as rehabilitation services and chiropractic services. In an emergency, the employee can seek their own medical treatment, but they must inform their employer of this as soon as possible.
• Partial wage replacement: Injured employees may receive wage replacement at two-thirds of their average weekly wage. This starts after seven days of disability. Benefits can continue until the worker can return to work.

In North Carolina, 40,900 private industry injuries required days away from work, job transfer, or work restrictions in 2023. Repetitive stress injuries usually take a long time to heal, and they can require physical therapy or even surgery to correct. The injury may never fully go away. This alone can cause immense stress for the injured employee. They shouldn’t have to also fight for the benefits they deserve.

FAQs About Albemarle, NC Repetitive Stress Injury Laws

What Happens If My Workers’ Compensation Claim in Albemarle Gets Denied by My Employer?

If your workers’ compensation claim in Albemarle gets denied by your employer, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible. It doesn’t matter if you have a great relationship with your employer; ultimately, they’re running a business that values profit. You can request an appeal of the denial. During this time, you can still seek medical treatment. If your claim is finalized as a denial, you’ll then be billed directly for the medical treatment you received.

Can My Employer Fire Me for Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in North Carolina?

Under the Retaliatory Employment Discharge Act, your employer can’t fire you for filing a workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina. They can’t fire you for using the benefits during recovery, either. North Carolina is an “at-will” state, meaning employers don’t need a reason to fire someone. However, if you get fired soon after filing a repetitive stress injury claim, it may count as wrongful termination.

Can I Be at Fault for the Injury and Still Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits in North Carolina?

North Carolina law allows workers to receive workers’ compensation benefits, no matter who is at fault for the injury. In normal personal injury cases, your percentage of fault can affect the entire outcome of your case. Luckily, workplace injury cases are a specific type of case, and they provide benefits for the employee in most circumstances as long as the injury is directly related to work. However, workers cannot open a legal case against their employer for the injury.

How Can an Albemarle Repetitive Stress Injury Attorney Help Me?

An experienced attorney can help you in many ways, especially in repetitive stress injury cases. If every legal step in the workers’ compensation process isn’t carefully followed by the injured employee, they may miss out on benefits. Claims are often unfairly denied and contested. Workers suffering a repetitive stress injury may also be forced to return to work before they’re healed. A lawyer can advocate on your behalf while you focus on recovery.

Choose a Trusted Workplace Injury Law Firm in North Carolina

At Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler, our lawyers know how terrifying an injury can be for survivors. When it’s directly related to work, it can be even more worrisome. Contact our skilled team today to learn how we can help you. We accept cases on a contingency fee basis, so we only get paid if we secure compensation for you.