On September 21, 2026, the North Carolina Industrial Commission launched the Attorney File Access Service, known as AFAS. AFAS gives attorneys and their designated staff secure online access to Commission workers’ compensation case files without needing to submit a separate copy request each time.
For most injured workers, the important part is not the technology itself. The practical benefit is that an attorney can now get to the official case information more directly when reviewing or managing a claim. That can reduce some of the administrative delay involved in a workers’ comp file review, though it does not change North Carolina workers’ compensation law or guarantee a faster outcome for your claim.
What Is AFAS?
AFAS is a secure North Carolina Industrial Commission portal that gives attorneys and authorized law-firm staff direct online access to case files.
- The acronym stands for Attorney File Access Service.
- It is operated by the Industrial Commission.
- It provides access to case information and documents without requiring a separate file-copy request.
For most injured workers, how the portal works matters less than how that improved access can help their attorney manage the case.
How Can AFAS Help Your Workers’ Comp Attorney Help You?
Direct access to the Industrial Commission file can make it easier for an attorney to review, understand, and respond to what is happening in your claim.
That can look like:
- Reviewing the official Commission file when questions arise
- Checking forms and documents that have been filed in the case
- Understanding the claim’s procedural history
- Comparing what a claimant has been told with what is reflected in the official file
- Identifying information that may be missing or need attention
- Preparing more efficiently when a filing, hearing, motion, or other development requires review
The Industrial Commission processes a wide range of workers’ comp materials, including claim forms, acceptance and denial forms, return-to-work forms, hearing requests, appeals, and certain motions. Faster access to that information does not replace legal experience. It gives an experienced attorney a more efficient way to get to the details needed to understand what is happening in a claim.
Key Takeaway: AFAS is a workflow improvement for attorneys. The value to you as an injured worker comes from having an attorney who can use that information effectively, not from the portal itself.
What AFAS Does Not Mean for Your Claim
AFAS improves attorney access to case information. It does not change how your claim is decided or how quickly it moves.
Specifically, AFAS does not:
- Guarantee that your workers’ comp claim will be resolved faster
- Make the Industrial Commission issue a ruling sooner
- Require an insurance company to respond or authorize treatment more quickly
- Give an attorney special control over the Commission
- Change the deadlines, standards, or benefits available under North Carolina workers’ compensation law
What AFAS does is simpler. It removes an administrative step when an attorney needs access to the Commission’s case file. The underlying claim still follows the same legal and procedural process, and our overview on How Long Do Workers’ Comp Claims Take? explains the timelines you can generally expect.
Can Injured Workers Still Access Their Own Industrial Commission File?
Yes. AFAS is designed for attorneys and their designated staff, but injured workers who are not represented by an attorney can still request their own Industrial Commission file.
Unrepresented claimants can submit a Request for Copy of File through the Commission’s Electronic Document Filing Portal (EDFP), or by emailing or mailing the Clerk’s Office. Workers’ compensation files are not public records under North Carolina law, but a party to a claim, or that party’s attorney of record, can obtain a copy of the file.
The Commission’s Information Specialists are also available to explain forms, policies, and procedures to unrepresented claimants, though they cannot provide legal advice.
Why Better Access Still Depends on Knowing What to Look For
Having a case file and understanding it are two different things.
A North Carolina workers’ compensation file can involve forms and documents dealing with:
- Claim acceptance or denial
- Ongoing benefits
- Return-to-work status
- Medical treatment issues
- Motions
- Hearings and appeals
An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can review those developments in context and determine whether something may need attention. That is the difference between having a document and knowing what it means for your case. Our broader overview on Navigating Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina gives more context on how the process fits together.
Top Tip: Ask questions early. Whether or not an attorney has portal access, the value of a review often depends on catching things while there is still time to act on them.
Faster Access to the File Can Mean More Efficient Legal Support
AFAS launched on September 21, 2026. It gives North Carolina workers’ compensation attorneys more direct access to Industrial Commission case files, and it can make the process of reviewing, understanding, and responding to case developments more efficient. It does not, on its own, guarantee a faster outcome for any claim.
For an injured worker, the real value is having an attorney who can use that information effectively. If your claim has been denied, if benefits have stopped, or if you have questions about what is actually in your file, our guide on Workers’ Comp Denied? Here’s What to Do is a helpful starting point.
Many injured workers wait longer than they wish they had before asking questions. If you have questions about your workers’ compensation claim, Shankle Law Firm serves injured workers across North Carolina from our Charlotte office. Maggie Shankle is a Board-Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist and can help you understand what your file actually says and what, if anything, may need attention.
Frequently Asked Questions About AFAS
What does AFAS stand for? Attorney File Access Service.
When did AFAS launch in North Carolina? September 21, 2026.
Does AFAS make my workers’ comp claim move faster? Not necessarily. It improves attorney access to the official Industrial Commission file, but it does not change Commission deadlines, insurer obligations, or guarantee a faster decision.
Can I get my Industrial Commission file without an attorney? Yes. Unrepresented claimants can request a copy of the file through the Commission’s Electronic Document Filing Portal, or by email or mail to the Clerk’s Office.
This article is for general educational purposes and is not legal advice. Every workers’ compensation case depends on its own facts.
*Please Note – The content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing this site, using information from it, or communicating with Shankle Law Firm, PA through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal advice tailored to your situation, please contact us directly at (704) 370-1212.
