Personal Injury & Workers' Compensation
When you have been injured in an accident, you can feel as though your entire life has been turned upside down. Medical expenses, being out of work, and dealing with the insurance companies can be overwhelming at times.
It is important to remember that insurance companies have lawyers working in their own best interest, and hiring a lawyer to represent your best interests may be a key factor in achieving a fair recovery.
Our firm is familiar with the complex area of personal injury and workers’ compensation cases, and will advocate zealously on your behalf to achieve the best result possible.
Workers’ Compensation is a no-fault system of compensation for workers who are injured on the job. Most employers with three or more employees are subject to the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act.
In general, employees who are injured must prove an 1) an injury, 2) by accident, 3) arising out of, and 4) and during the course and scope of employment. Pre-existing conditions that are aggravated by a work injury may be eligible for compensation. Special rules apply for occupational disease claims as well as back injuries.
Types of Benefits
Medical Compensation:
Reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to a job injury.
Lost Wages:
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD) is payable at 2/3 of your Average Weekly Wage.
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) is payable at 2/3 of the difference between your pre-injury Average Weekly Wage and your post-injury earnings, for a maximum of 500 weeks from the date of injury.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD):
PPD is payable based on a percentage assigned by a physician under the following schedule:
| Injury | Timeframe | Injury | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back | 300 weeks | Eye | 120 weeks |
| Arm | 240 weeks | Leg | 200 weeks |
| Hand | 200 weeks | Foot | 144 weeks |
| Thumb | 75 weeks | Great toe | 35 weeks |
| Index Finger | 45 weeks | Other toes | 10 weeks |
| Middle Finger | 40 weeks | Hearing | |
| Ring Finger | 25 weeks | One ear | 70 weeks |
| Little Finger | 20 weeks | Both ears | 150 weeks |
Bodily disfigurement, including facial or head disfigurement (e.g. scars) and permanent injuries to organs or parts of the body are eligible for compensation.