Navigating the waters of workers’ compensation, especially when unfamiliar with the rules, can be a challenge. It’s important for an injured employee to know what not to do while on workers’ compensation in North Carolina. The answer to that question matters. Negligent actions, even minor ones, can jeopardize your benefits.
Ignoring medical advice, for instance, can lead to serious health complications, while failing to report changes in your condition can cause significant delays in your claim. Familiarizing yourself with these missteps is as crucial as understanding your rights. Remember, avoiding these common pitfalls safeguards your health and ensures you continue to receive the support you need.
Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
At Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler, our attorneys have decades of combined experience guiding injured workers through the complexities of North Carolina’s workers’ compensation system. Recognized by Super Lawyers and Expertise.com for excellence in this field, our team has earned respect across the legal community.
We are committed to protecting injured employees by offering clear guidance, strong advocacy, and deep knowledge of the law. Our proven track record highlights the dedication we bring to every case.
Ignoring or Skipping Medical Treatment
One of the worst things that an injured worker can do is to ignore medical advice. If you are receiving workers’ compensation benefits, the medical treatment that your doctor prescribes for you is part of your claim as well as your path to recovery. Failure to keep appointments, missing therapy, or disregarding medical restrictions may allow the insurance company to doubt the validity of your injury.
It can even be grounds for a reduction or termination of benefits. Attending scheduled medical visits while following your doctor’s treatment plan helps you restore your health and defend your right to ongoing workers’ compensation payments.
Misrepresenting Your Injury or Work Ability
It is important to be truthful throughout the course of a workers’ compensation claim. Lying about the severity of your injury, inflating your pain, or performing another job while receiving benefits can all seriously undermine your credibility. Insurance companies and employers often look for discrepancies between what an employee claims and their actual activities.
They can and will use evidence of dishonesty to deny benefits or to bring a legal claim against you. Even small misrepresentations can become ammunition to be used against you. Always be truthful in reporting information to doctors, employers, and insurance companies.
Posting Carelessly on Social Media
Social media can also create issues for your claim. Posts that seem harmless to you may be twisted by an insurer. A simple photo of you at a family gathering or lifting your child could be portrayed as evidence that you aren’t injured. Adjusters and employers may scrutinize your online presence to try to catch you in a contradiction. Note that there were 68,600 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported in North Carolina in 2023.
Missing Deadlines or Failing to Communicate
Workers’ comp has strict guidelines, and missing deadlines can be very expensive. In North Carolina, for example, you must report your injury to your employer within 30 days and to the North Carolina Industrial Commission within two years. If you miss any of these deadlines, you could lose your right to benefits altogether.
Additionally, poor communication can cause further issues. If you don’t keep your employer or insurer informed of changes in your condition, it can delay treatment and/or payments. Remaining timely, organized, and transparent can help keep your benefits in motion, allowing you to focus on recovering and moving forward.
FAQs
What Should You Not Do While on Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina?
If you are on workers’ compensation in North Carolina, you should not miss medical treatment, lie about your condition, post carelessly on social media, or miss deadlines. Each of these could hurt your credibility or stop your benefits. Being honest, following your doctor’s orders, and communicating well can help you protect your claim and get the support you deserve.
Can My Benefits Be Stopped if I Miss Doctors’ Appointments?
Yes, missing doctors’ appointments can reduce or stop your workers’ compensation benefits. Insurers take missed medical visits as an indication that you are not following through on treatment, or that your injury is not as severe as you have claimed. In North Carolina, going to every appointment and following the doctor’s orders is important for both your recovery and your ongoing eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits.
Is It Safe to Use Social Media While on Workers’ Compensation?
Posting on social media while you’re receiving workers’ comp benefits can be a dangerous activity. Posts that seem innocuous to you could be misconstrued, taken out of context, and used against you. Employers and insurance carriers regularly monitor social media accounts for people collecting benefits, and anything that contradicts their reports could work against you.
Avoid posting on social media to protect your workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina, as your online activity can impact the outcome of your case.
Can I Work Another Job While Receiving Workers’ Compensation?
Working another job during workers’ compensation can create severe difficulties. Hiding income from another job or working outside your restrictions can be considered fraud. In NC, you need to report work that might impact your recovery. Failure to disclose outside employment can result in decreased benefits, termination, or even penalties. Always be honest about any additional work throughout your claim.
Contact a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you have questions about what not to do while on workers’ compensation in North Carolina, legal guidance can make all the difference. There are forms to file, doctors to see, and payments to be made in a timely manner. It can be challenging to grasp all the rules when you’re trying to recover from an injury. Our lawyers at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler have over 50 years of combined experience representing injured employees and protecting their rights and benefits.
When you hire a workers’ compensation lawyer from our firm, you gain an advocate who can navigate complex claims and fight for your interests. Schedule a private, no-obligation consultation today to discuss your case.
