Can You Get Punitive Damages in a Car Accident Claim in North Carolina?

If you were injured in a car accident, you may have heard the term “punitive damages” and wondered how they apply to your case. People often confuse punitive damages with pain and suffering — but the two are not the same, and they play very different roles in a personal injury claim.

What Is My Statute of Limitations (SOL) And What Does That Mean?

Understanding the Statute of Limitations in North Carolina

When you’ve been injured—whether in a car accident, workplace injury, or slip-and-fall—you may be entitled to compensation. However, waiting too long to take action could mean losing your legal rights.

Workers’ Compensation Quiz: True or False?

Workers’ compensation claims can be overwhelming and confusing, especially when misinformation spreads. Test your knowledge with these common true/false questions, and if you’re unsure about your rights, call our office for a free consultation.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits & Your Finances

You must pay taxes on your workers’ compensation benefits.

I was injured off the clock, am I entitled to Workers’ Compensation benefits?

In the era of remote work, lots of questions have arisen about what “arising out of and in the course of employment” encompasses. N.C. GEN. STAT 97-2(6) (Current through 2024).

In the course of employment, “refers to the time, place and circumstances of the accidental injury.

Why Can’t I Get Pain and Suffering in a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

You were hurt on the job. It has caused you much more than your physical pain. You may have been traumatized by the incident, face daily inconveniences, and simply cannot live the life you used to do. You are not entitled to damages for these losses. Why?

These damages, known as Pain and Suffering, are not a legal remedy under North Carolina Workers’ Compensation law.

Am I covered by Workers’ Compensation laws when I have an “Unusual” Employment Arrangement?

You and your employer have a very informal setup. Perhaps you never completed any paperwork or training. Perhaps you are undocumented. You have been working for your employer for a while but have never been paid by a company check. You are directly handed cash, venmoed, sometimes paid cash and sometimes by personal check.

What is Contributory Negligence in North Carolina?

You have been in a car accident. You slipped at the store. You were bitten by a neighbor’s dog. You did not cause your resulting injuries. Someone else’s negligence caused you to get hurt. But someone told you that you cannot even be 1% at fault in order to collect in a North Carolina personal injury claim.

My employer says they will help me pay my bills – So Why Should I file a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

You have been hurt on the job. You have a good relationship with your employer, and they say they will take care of you. You love your job. You trust them to honor their word. Why should you hire an attorney? What if you get fired after hiring an attorney? These are among the most commons questions we see daily at SLF, and literally every time, the best thing is to protect you and your family after being hurt.

Why can’t I use my own doctor in a workers’ compensation claim?

You were hurt at work. You may have been rushed to the hospital or gone to see your family doctor. But once workers’ compensation started paying your bills, you may have been surprised to learn that you can no longer select your own doctors. Instead, the insurance company gets to choose them for you! While it all seems rather backwards, you do not get to decide who you receive treatment from in a workers’ compensation claim if the insurance company is paying for your care.

Why Can’t I Get Pain in Suffering in a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

You were hurt on the job. It has caused you much more than your physical pain. You may have been traumatized by the incident, face daily inconveniences, and simply cannot live the life you did before your work injury. You are not entitled to damages for pain and suffering in NC under workers’ compensation laws.