You work to support yourself and your family. What happens to your family’s financial security when you can no longer work due to an accident or injury that occurred at your workplace? When you suffer an on-the-job injury, you deserve the workers’ compensation benefits that cover your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages.
Andrew Schwaba and the legal team at Schwaba Law Firm understand how a workplace injury can derail your stability and upend your life. As a trusted North Carolina workers’ compensation attorney, he has a proven track record of representing injured workers and advocating for their rights.
Contact us today for your free, no-obligation consultation with a work injury lawyer in North Carolina.
Why Choose Us to Represent You for Workplace Injury Claims?
Why choose Schwaba Law Firm to handle your work injury claim? We have an extensive track record of delivering meaningful results to injured workers in North Carolina. Our legal team focuses on building strong cases and advocating for workers’ rights, helping them obtain the resources they need to recover from their injuries and care for family members who depend on them.
Since 2010, the Schwaba Law Firm has aggressively pursued maximum compensation for injured workers while delivering the highest level of professional service and compassion. Above all, our team wants to help make you whole again. We achieve this by prioritizing your needs and leveraging our legal expertise and resources to obtain the best possible outcome for your unique situation.
Former clients agree, saying, “Hands down Schwaba Law Office is the best! They were there for us the entire duration of our case. They went out of their way & came to our home. I don’t know how we would have got through everything without them!” ‒ Chris Neilio
How We Can Help You Through the Process
An experienced North Carolina workers’ compensation lawyer can reduce your stress and streamline the claims process. At Schwaba Law Firm, we’ll manage every step of the workers’ compensation process, from investigating the cause of the accident to negotiating with insurers for the benefits you need. We can even help individuals who have received a workers’ compensation denial.
Some of the key advantages of hiring a North Carolina workers’ compensation lawyer include the following:
- You’ll work with a professional advocate who understands your situation.
- Your attorney can thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident and collect valuable evidence to support your claim.
- An attorney can identify all potential sources of compensation, including any third parties who might have contributed to the accident.
- An attorney can calculate the fair value of your claim and negotiate on your behalf for the maximum benefits you’re entitled to.
- All communication with the involved parties can go through your lawyer.
- A lawyer can prepare a case for court when necessary.
- You have someone to protect your legal rights and fight back if you face retaliation for filing a workers’ comp claim.
We can initiate your claim, manage the negotiations, and fight any insurance company denials. With extensive knowledge of local laws and workers’ compensation guidelines, our legal team takes the pressure off you. We can manage your claim, which frees you to focus on recovering from your injuries.
What Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?
North Carolina workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance program that helps injured workers by covering medical expenses and paying a portion of lost wages. In addition to covering medical costs due to work-related injuries or illnesses, workers’ compensation may also include the following:
- Temporary total disability benefits, paid when you cannot work while healing
- Temporary partial disability benefits, paid when you’re doing restricted duty work that would pay less than your pre-injury job
- Permanent partial disability benefits, which compensate you for permanent impairments to a part of your body
- Permanent total disability benefits, paid when you can never return to any type of gainful employment because of your injury
- Death benefits, paid to surviving family members if you die because of a work injury
Vocational rehabilitation benefits may also be available to individuals who are unable to return to their previous employment and require additional assistance in finding suitable work or refining new skills.
Common Workplace Injuries
Some of the most common workplace injuries and hazards that employees face include the following:
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Falls from heights
- Overexertion injuries
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Crushing injuries
- Sprains/strains
- Soft tissue injuries
- Exposure to chemicals or
- Thermal/chemical burns
Workers’ Compensation vs. Third Party Claims: Can I Sue My Employer?
There are numerous benefits to the no-fault workers’ compensation benefit system. Injured workers get the resources they need to cover their medical expenses and a portion of their lost wages without having to prove that their employer caused their injuries. Employers benefit because when an employee accepts workers’ compensation benefits, they cannot file a lawsuit against the employer.
While accepting workers’ compensation benefits means you cannot directly sue your employer, it does not mean you can’t sue a responsible third party. Third-party lawsuits involve holding a careless third party accountable for causing your injuries. For example, if a defective piece of equipment caused an injury, the employee can sue the manufacturer for damages.
What if My Workers’ Comp Claim is Denied?
Time limits, insufficient documentation, and other issues can lead to claim denials. When a workers’ compensation claim is denied, the best course of action is to talk to a skilled North Carolina workers’ compensation attorney who understands how the appeals process works and what it takes to build a solid rebuttal.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Workers’ Compensation Claims in NC?
The Workers’ Compensation Act stipulates that workers have two years from the date of the injury or accident to file a claim with the North Carolina Industrial Commission. However, your best chance to recover compensation is to report the incident to your employer immediately and have your attorney help submit a timely claim.
Contact Our North Carolina Work Injury Lawyers to Learn More
If you are ready to fight for the benefits that you deserve, it is time to contact Schwaba Law Firm for help with your North Carolina workers’ compensation claim. Reach out to us for your free, fully confidential consultation to help you get started.
