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.

Recorded Statements: Do I Have to Comply?

Recorded Statements in Injury Claims: Do You Have to Comply?

If you’ve filed a Workers’ Compensation or personal injury claim, there’s a good chance an insurance adjuster will ask for a recorded statement. It might sound routine, even harmless.

Do I owe taxes on my Workers’ Compensation (WC) or Personal Injury (PI) Settlement?

It’s almost tax time! Have you received a Workers’ Compensation settlement or a Personal Injury settlement and wondering if these settlements are taxable income? Some of the answers are straightforward while others are not. Keep in mind, we are not tax lawyers or certified public accountants, so you should always run tax questions by the most qualified individuals, like your accountant.

I am working illegally. Can I file for Workers’ Compensation? Can I get fired?

Were you injured at work, but concerned because you are an undocumented worker? There must be so many questions and concerns going through your mind, and we are fully equipped to handle your concerns and our staff all fully bilingual.

*Can I file for Workers’ Compensation? – Yes.

Can I be fired because I file a Workers’ Compensation claim or because I hire an attorney for my case?

The short answer is NO, not legally. Your employer cannot legally terminate you because you had a work injury or because you hired an attorney. You are entitled to know your legal rights and to file a legitimate claim for a work injury.

However, do not let the above facts confuse you into thinking that your job is protected because you got hurt at work, because that is not the case.

Why do my wages matter in a workers’ compensation claim?

A common mistaken belief is that the severity of your injury is the sole determining factor in how much your workers’ compensation claim may be worth monetarily. While more serious injuries are typically valued higher than less serious injuries, a significant factor in case value is how much you earn in wages in the job in which you were injured.

*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.