When you are injured at work, your employer’s workers compensation coverage should protect you while you are unable to continue working. Almost every employer across North Carolina is required to carry workers comp coverage on their insurance policies so that employees who are injured or fall ill can continue to support themselves.
With alarming frequency, however, those suffering from work-related conditions find that their claims for benefits are being denied. Below, we discuss the requirements for receiving workers comp in North Carolina and what you can do if you’re facing a denial.
The only requirement for obtaining workers comp is that you demonstrate that your condition was directly caused by your work environment. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been working for the company, whose fault it is that you are injured or ill, or how many hours you work each week—you should qualify for workers comp benefits if you were injured while working.
These benefits will allow you to continue supporting yourself and your family as you’ll receive weekly disability benefits of 66 percent of your average weekly wages and complete coverage of your medical expenses. In addition, the insurer will be obligated to offer you vocational training or education if you can’t return to work in the industry you were previously employed.
Families who lose a loved one due to a work-related condition can even receive death benefits from the insurance company. But if you know that your condition was caused by the requirements of your position at work and your claim was still denied, you may be wondering what you should do next.
You’d be surprised at many of the reasons the insurance company gives for denying claims. They range from minimal errors on your paperwork and a lack of medical documentation to the insurance company believing that you are exaggerating the extent of your condition and your ability to keep working.
In any case, your Raleigh workman’s compensation lawyer will always attempt to work with the insurance adjuster in charge of your case to see if any of their concerns can be addressed. If not, your lawyer will file an appeal with the North Carolina Industrial Commission for an independent review of your case. You can rest a little easier knowing that most appeals are able to be resolved at this level of appeals.
If you’re ready to apply for the benefits you need to continue to support yourself while you’re out of work, or if you need help fighting a denied claim, reach out to a dedicated North Carolina workman’s comp lawyer at Ricci Law Firm, P.A. today. You can find us online or call our office at 252-752-7785 to schedule your free claim assessment.
