Forest City On the Job Injury Attorney

Forest City On the Job Injury Lawyer

Most people working in Forest City, North Carolina are aware of the state’s workers’ compensation laws and their ability to file a claim for benefits after suffering an injury on the job. However, the actual process of filing a claim can be more challenging than most people expect, and many injured workers experience uncertainty, frustration, and severe emotional stress when it comes to approaching the recovery process.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Victims of On-the-Job Injuries in Forest City, NC

If you or someone in your family recently suffered an injury while working, a Forest City on-the-job injury attorney is the ideal resource to consult. The right attorney can help determine the optimal path to recovery from your injury and guide you through the legal proceedings ahead of you. Depending on how and why your injury happened, you could have more opportunities to recover compensation than you initially realize.

The attorneys at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler have years of professional experience representing victims of on-the-job injuries in Forest City and surrounding areas. We can help you approach the workers’ compensation claim filing process with confidence, resolving any uncertainty or disputes that might arise with your recovery efforts. The sooner you reach out to our team, the more time we will have to prepare a comprehensive case on your behalf.

Common On-the-Job Injuries in Forest City

It’s possible for damaging workplace injuries to occur in virtually every industry, even to workers who believe they work in completely safe environments like office buildings. Some of the most commonly reported on-the-job injuries in Forest City that lead to workers’ compensation cases and other civil proceedings include:

• Vehicle accidents. If you drive for work and another driver causes an accident on the road, this will still qualify as an on-the-job injury because driving is part of your job duties.
• Throughout the United States, falls account for a large percentage of the total workplace injuries and missed work days reported each year. Falls can potentially result in catastrophic harm, including brain damage and spinal cord injuries.
• Acquired illnesses. If you developed a sickness from your working conditions on the job, this still qualifies for workers’ compensation if you need medical treatment and the illness interferes with your ability to work and earn income.
• Equipment-related injuries. When you need to use specialized machinery, tools, and equipment to perform your job, some of these devices can cause severe traumatic injuries if they are defective, mishandled, or poorly maintained.

If you are unsure whether your recent injury on the job qualifies for workers’ compensation benefits, it is advisable that you err on the side of caution, report the injury to your supervisor, and speak with a Forest City on-the-job injury attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney can help verify your eligibility to file a claim and ensure that your employer meets their responsibilities under state law in their handling of your claim.

Determining Eligibility for Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Forest City

Many people who suffer injuries on the job wonder whether they can file workers’ compensation claims in response to these incidents. As long as your injury happened while you were working, you are likely covered by your employer’s insurance policy. Independent contractors and certain other types of employees are exempt from workers’ compensation coverage, but it is crucial that you verify your employment status to determine whether your employer is legally required to ensure coverage for you.

Some people who suffer on-the-job injuries wonder whether they can still file a claim if their injury occurred outside of their usual workplace. Location does not matter as much as the activity being performed when the injury occurred. Some people must drive and complete other travel for work, and as long as they are performing their job duties when an injury occurs, they are eligible to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. If your employer tries to unfairly push back against your claim, asserting that it was not a covered event, retaliate against you, or if they refuse to provide you with the materials needed to file your claim, it is imperative to discuss the matter with a Forest City on-the-job injury attorney as soon as possible.

Filing a Claim for Workers’ Compensation Benefits After an Injury On the Job

The workers’ compensation claim filing process is similar to the process of filing any other type of insurance claim with a few additional complications. The claimant must complete the necessary claim forms and undergo a medical examination to determine their level of disability. An injured worker can see any doctor if they suffer a severe traumatic injury on the job and need immediate medical attention, but the formal review process is a standard element of most workers’ compensation cases filed.

The workers’ compensation physician you see will assign a disability rating for you that indicates the severity of your injury and whether you face long-term or permanent complications or disabilities. The higher your rating, the more you can potentially receive in workers’ compensation benefits. If you disagree with the first doctor’s assessment of your condition, your Forest City on-the-job injury attorney can help you arrange a second opinion.

After you submit a claim, the insurance company will investigate it and determine your eligibility for benefits. The company may contact you and/or your employer for additional information and then will either accept or reject the claim. If your claim is denied, your Forest City on-the-job injury attorney can evaluate the given reason for the rejection and help determine your most viable response. If your claim is approved, the insurance carrier will issue a determination of benefits outlining the compensation you can expect.

Benefits for On-the-Job Injuries in Forest City

The average injured worker in the state can expect two types of compensation from a successful workers’ compensation claim. First is medical expense coverage. The injured worker will have all their medical expenses covered by their employer’s insurance company. This includes both immediate and future medical costs they incur to achieve maximum medical improvement from their injury. The second form of compensation they can receive is disability benefits to offset their inability to work and earn income while they recover.

An on-the-job injury may leave the victim unable to work or unable to earn as much income as they did prior to their injury. If you are still able to handle lower-paying work after your on-the-job injury, you can receive partial disability benefits that can make up the difference in your earning power. A claimant awarded partial disability benefits will need to report their earnings to the insurance company to maintain eligibility for these benefits.

If you cannot work at all due to your on-the-job injury, you are more likely to receive total disability benefits. These are typically paid at a rate of two-thirds of your average weekly income based on your earnings during the year prior to your injury. For example, an injured worker who usually earns about $1,500 per week might expect about $1,000 per week with each disability benefits payment, and these payments can usually continue for up to 500 weeks. Permanent disability benefits are rarely awarded, and only claimants who are entirely unable to work in the future can qualify for these disability benefits.

What to Expect From Your Forest City On-the-Job Injury Attorney

Having legal counsel that you can trust on your side makes every aspect of your impending on-the-job injury claim much easier to handle and more likely to generate optimal results. Your attorney can guide you through the initial claim filing process, verifying your eligibility to file your claim and resolving any problems you encounter with your employer and/or their insurance carrier. When it comes to your benefits determination, your attorney can ensure that you receive a fair offer that accurately reflects the severity of your injury.

It’s possible for you to have grounds for further legal action depending on how and why your injury occurred. If you have the ability to pursue a third-party personal injury claim or a civil suit against your employer, your attorney can be invaluable for the help they can provide with this aspect of your recovery efforts.

The attorneys at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler have years of experience handling all types of on-the-job injury claims for clients in the Forest City area. We take time to learn each client’s unique story and address their individual needs in their recovery efforts. Every case is different, and we always adapt our approach to meet the client’s goals as closely as possible. If you are concerned about the potential cost of hiring legal representation, our firm accepts on-the-job injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will only pay a fee if and when we win your case, and you pay nothing if our team is unable to secure compensation on your behalf for any reason.

There is a limited time for you to file a workers’ compensation claim after an injury on the job, and the sooner you secure legal counsel you can trust, the sooner you can start your recovery process with confidence. Contact Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler today to schedule your free consultation with a Forest City on-the-job injury attorney and learn more about how our firm can empower your recovery efforts.