*Top 5 Questions from Clients Who Have Been Hurt at Work:

Number 1: Will I be fired?

In North Carolina, you cannot legally be fired for filing a workers’ compensation claim. This is due to North Carolina’s Retaliatory Discharge Act (REDA), which protects employees from certain situations such as being fired after a workplace injury.

Is My Injury Covered by Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation laws can be tricky to understand. They vary by state, they’re complicated, and at first glance, they can seem overwhelming. Workers’ compensations laws are put into place to help you get the help that you need when you’ve suffered from a workplace injury, regardless of if it was your fault or your employer’s.

However, not every work injury is covered under workers’ compensation.

Heat exhaustion at work? You may be eligible for Workers’ Compensation!

The summer months bring with them clear blue skies, fun family barbeques, and refreshing swims in the pool. However, the North Carolina heat and humidity follow close behind, bringing the possibility of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and - more seriously - heat stroke.

Do You Know Who You Work For?

When you have been injured on the job and call Shankle Law Firm office for your completely free initial consultation, one of the most crucial questions you will be asked outside of the nature of your injury is, “who is your employer?” Why? Because to file a workers’ compensation claim, we must be able to identify your employer.

Workers’ Comp Can Give You A Headache!

Workers’ Comp can often seem like a foreign language! It has its own court system, forms and acronyms that can make it virtually impossible to navigate if you are unfamiliar with the process. The North Carolina Industrial Commission’s website can be very helpful in guiding you through the workers’ comp system if you are trying to handle your case on your own.

What Should You Do If You Were Electrocuted At Work?

Whether you are an electrician, cable installer, construction worker, or have another profession that involves wiring, you may be at a higher risk for an electrical injury. There are multiple ways that one can be electrocuted at work. A few examples of contributing factors include:

*Overloaded or damaged circuits
*Frayed electrical cords
*Damaged power lines
*Wet conditions
*Electrical wiring issues

Regardless of how your injury at work occurred, if you were electrocuted, it is imperative that you seek legal counsel.

To Trust Or Not To Trust Your Employer When You Are Hurt At Work…

Imagine this… You were injured at work. Your employer is telling you they will personally pay for your medical treatment. Sounds good, right? WRONG. Some employers may try to personally pay for your treatment as a way to avoid filing your claim on their insurance.

Need an attorney, but feel like you don’t have the money for one? Don’t worry… we’re contingency fee based!

Were you injured in a work accident or in an automobile accident and need an attorney but you’re worried you can’t afford one? Well, worry no more. Shankle Law Firm is a contingency based law firm which means there are no up-front costs to you. We get paid if and when you get paid! So, how does it work?

1. At Shankle Law Firm, your initial consultation is completely free! All claims are unique, so we offer a free consultation so that we can better explain how we can help you, with no pressure on your end to sign or pay.

Why Should I Immediately Report My Work-Related Injury To My Employer?

You were injured at work… now what? It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you immediately (or as soon as is possible) report your injury to your employer.

We understand there may be several concerns swirling in your mind as to why you think you should not report your injury.

North Carolina’s Top Ten (10) Industries With Highest Rate of Work-Related Injuries, and Most Common Types of Injuries

Although work injuries can and do occur in all types of jobs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ recent studies show that the top industries with the highest rates of workplace injuries are:

• Health care and social assistance (544,800 workplace injuries)
• Retail trade (401,100 workplace injuries)
• Manufacturing (395,300 workplace injuries)
• Accommodation and food services (271,000 workplace injuries)
• Transportation and warehousing (213,100 workplace injuries)
• Construction (195,600 workplace injuries)
• Wholesale trade (157,100 workplace injuries)
• Administrative and waste services (112,800 workplace injuries)
• Other services (except public administration) (70,800 workplace injuries)
• Professional and technical services (66,100 workplace injuries)

While the above are the top industries for workplace injuries in North Carolina, workers in all types of jobs are at risk for suffering injuries on the job.