North Carolina House Bill 315 is now law, but not every part of it takes effect right away. The bill, formally Session Law 2026-14, was signed by Governor Josh Stein on June 22, 2026. The parts that affect injured workers most directly do not take effect until July 1, 2027, and apply to claims arising on or after that date.
If you are an injured worker in North Carolina, this is worth understanding now. HB 315 changes several benefit amounts under the state’s workers’ compensation system and adds new language that could affect how certain disfigurement claims are evaluated in the future.
What Is North Carolina House Bill 315?
HB 315 is a two-part North Carolina law that both restricts outside litigation financing and increases several workers’ compensation benefits. In plain terms:
- Part I creates the Prohibit Litigation Investments Act, which limits third-party funding of civil proceedings.
- Part II amends the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act to raise certain scheduled benefit amounts and to add new language to one of the disfigurement provisions.
For injured workers, the most relevant changes are in Part II. That is where the benefit increases and the new employability-related language lives.
Quick Answer: HB 315 became law on June 22, 2026, but its workers’ compensation benefit increases do not take effect until July 1, 2027, for claims arising on or after that date.
What Parts of HB 315 Are Already in Effect?
Part I, the litigation-investment portion, took effect when the bill was signed on June 22, 2026. It applies to civil proceedings commenced on or after that date and to contracts entered into, renewed, or amended on or after that date.
This is a separate topic from workers’ compensation. If you are searching for information about your work injury, Part I is unlikely to be what you are looking for. The workers’ comp changes you probably want to know about are in Part II, and they have a later effective date.
When Do the Workers’ Compensation Changes Take Effect?
The Part II changes to the Workers’ Compensation Act become effective July 1, 2027, and apply to claims arising on or after that date.
That distinction matters. Someone injured before July 1, 2027 should not assume the new dollar limits automatically apply to their claim. Which version of the law governs a particular case can depend on when the injury happened. Workers with existing or earlier claims may still fall under the prior statutory limits.
What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Increasing?
HB 315 raises the minimum weekly total-disability payment and doubles three scheduled-injury caps under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-31. Here is a quick side-by-side look:
| Benefit | Current Amount | Beginning July 1, 2027 |
| Minimum weekly total-disability compensation (§ 97-29) | $30 | $50 |
| Serious facial or head disfigurement (§ 97-31(21)) | Up to $20,000 | Up to $40,000 |
| Serious bodily disfigurement (§ 97-31(22)) | Up to $10,000 | Up to $20,000 |
| Loss or permanent injury to an important organ or body part (§ 97-31(24)) | Up to $20,000 | Up to $40,000 |
One important clarification. The disfigurement and organ-injury figures are maximum awards, not automatic payments. The North Carolina Industrial Commission still awards what it considers “proper and equitable compensation” within the statutory limit, based on the facts of the case.
How Is Compensation for Serious Facial or Head Disfigurement Changing?
The maximum award for serious facial or head disfigurement is doubling from $20,000 to $40,000.
This provision, in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-31(21), covers things like permanent facial scarring and serious visible injuries to the head. The North Carolina Industrial Commission has discretion to determine an appropriate award within the maximum, so the facts of an injury still shape the outcome. The new “employability or earning capacity” language discussed below applies to the other serious bodily disfigurement provision, not to facial or head disfigurement.
How Is Compensation for Other Serious Bodily Disfigurement Changing?
The maximum award for other serious bodily disfigurement is doubling from $10,000 to $20,000, and the statute now includes new language about employability and earning capacity.
This provision, at § 97-31(22), addresses serious permanent disfigurement elsewhere on the body that is not already compensated under another scheduled-injury provision. In practical terms, it can involve things like significant surgical scarring, burns, or permanent visible scars from a workplace injury.
The dollar increase is straightforward. The new statutory language is where things get more interesting.
What Does the New “Employability or Earning Capacity” Language Mean?
The revised § 97-31(22) applies to serious bodily disfigurement “where there may be a rational connection to employability or earning capacity.” That phrase is new, and it changes how some of these claims may be evaluated once the law takes effect.
In plain English, a permanent scar or disfigurement covered by this provision may not be evaluated solely on appearance. The relationship between the disfigurement and the worker’s ability to obtain work or earn income can become a meaningful part of the analysis.
The statute does not spell out a one-size-fits-all evidence checklist. Instead, it leaves the door open to considerations that could vary from claim to claim. Depending on the facts, the following may matter:
- The worker’s occupation and specific job duties
- Whether appearance is relevant to that line of work
- Physical limitations tied to the underlying injury
- Medical documentation of the disfigurement
- Photographs showing the extent and permanence of the change
- Evidence about the worker’s employment circumstances or earning capacity
- Vocational evidence in a disputed case
The concept of what someone can reasonably do for work overlaps with issues our article on Suitable Employment: What Is It? explains in more detail.
Why Could the New Standard Make Some Disfigurement Claims More Complicated?
Because the statute now ties this category of disfigurement compensation to employability, some claims may involve a broader factual showing than in the past.
Previously, many workers might assume that a serious, permanent scar was enough on its own. Under the new language, certain claims may require a clearer picture of how the disfigurement connects to the ability to work or earn a living. That can create honest disputes over whether the disfigurement is sufficiently serious, whether a different § 97-31 provision applies, whether there is a meaningful employment-related connection, and how much compensation is “proper and equitable” for the specific facts.
None of this means these claims will be routinely denied. It does mean that documentation and context can carry more weight than they otherwise might.
How Is Compensation for Permanent Injury to an Organ or Body Part Changing?
The maximum award for loss of, or permanent injury to, an important organ or body part is doubling from $20,000 to $40,000.
This provision, at § 97-31(24), applies when compensation is not payable under another subdivision of the statute. It is a distinct category from disfigurement. Disfigurement generally concerns visible, permanent change to the body. Section 97-31(24) concerns the loss or permanent injury itself, whether visible or not, to something the statute treats as important.
Key Takeaway: HB 315 raises three of North Carolina’s scheduled-injury caps and one weekly minimum. The dollar increases are meaningful, but they only apply to claims arising on or after July 1, 2027.
What Should Injured Workers Do Before the 2027 Changes Take Effect?
Focus on documentation and clarity, not on assuming the new numbers will automatically apply.
A few practical steps can help you understand your situation, regardless of which version of the law ends up governing your claim:
- Do not assume the new dollar limits apply simply because HB 315 has been signed.
- Keep thorough medical documentation, including photographs of scars or permanent changes when appropriate.
- Keep records of work restrictions, job duties, and any changes in employment.
- Ask questions early about which scheduled benefit might apply to a permanent injury, rather than waiting until the end of a claim.
Our overview on Maximizing Your Workers’ Comp Benefits covers additional practical ground for anyone navigating a claim right now.
When Should You Talk With a North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
You do not need a crisis to ask questions. It may be worth speaking with a North Carolina workers’ compensation attorney if:
- You have permanent scarring or disfigurement from a workplace injury
- You suffered permanent injury to an internal or external organ
- There is a dispute over which § 97-31 benefit applies to your case
- Your employer or insurer disputes how an injury affects your ability to work
- You are unsure whether the July 1, 2027 changes apply to your claim
Workers’ compensation rules can become especially technical when scheduled injuries, permanent impairment, disfigurement, and earning capacity overlap. Our article on What Happens After a Serious Work Injury walks through more of what to expect in serious cases.
What Injured Workers Should Take Away From HB 315
HB 315 became law on June 22, 2026, but its workers’ compensation benefit increases apply only to claims arising on or after July 1, 2027. The law raises the minimum weekly total-disability payment and doubles three important § 97-31 caps, and it adds new employability language to the serious bodily disfigurement provision. Workers dealing with permanent injuries should understand which version of the rules applies to their claim before relying on any specific dollar amount.
Many injured workers wait longer than they wish they had before asking questions about the rules that affect their case. If you have questions about how HB 315 or any part of the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act may relate to your situation, Shankle Law Firm serves injured workers across North Carolina from our Charlotte office.
Maggie Shankle is a Board-Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist and helps injured workers understand how North Carolina workers’ compensation law applies to their circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions About HB 315
When was North Carolina House Bill 315 signed into law?
Governor Josh Stein signed HB 315 into law on June 22, 2026. It is codified as Session Law 2026-14.
When do the new workers’ compensation benefits take effect?
July 1, 2027. The Part II changes apply to claims arising on or after that date.
Did North Carolina double workers’ comp disfigurement benefits?
The statutory maximum for serious facial or head disfigurement is increasing from $20,000 to $40,000. The maximum for qualifying serious bodily disfigurement is increasing from $10,000 to $20,000. Both are effective July 1, 2027.
Does every serious scar qualify for the new maximum?
No. The statute sets a ceiling, not an automatic payment. The North Carolina Industrial Commission determines what proper and equitable compensation for the specific case, and other statutory requirements also apply.
Does HB 315 affect workers injured before July 1, 2027?
The Part II provisions apply to claims arising on or after July 1, 2027. Whether the prior or new limits apply to a specific claim can depend on the facts.
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.
