Charlotte Workers Compensation Attorneys NC
Protecting Injured Workers' Rights
30+ years fighting for injured workers to get medical care, wage replacement & disability benefits. No fee unless you win. Bilingual team with 4 offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, Smithfield & Orlando. Se habla espanol.
Comprehensive Workers Compensation Services
At Vasquez Law Firm, we understand that a workplace injury can turn your entire life upside down. When you are hurt on the job, you face mounting medical bills, lost income, and the stress of navigating a complicated insurance system. Our experienced workers compensation attorneys provide aggressive and compassionate legal representation to ensure you receive every benefit you are entitled to under the law. Whether you suffered a traumatic injury on a construction site, developed a repetitive stress condition, or had your valid claim denied by an insurance company, our team is ready to fight for you.
Workers compensation is a no fault system in North Carolina and Florida. This means you do not have to prove that your employer was negligent to receive benefits. If you were injured while performing your job duties, you are entitled to medical treatment, wage replacement, and disability compensation. However, insurance companies routinely deny, delay, or minimize valid claims. They employ adjusters and defense attorneys whose sole purpose is to reduce the amount they pay out. You need an experienced advocate on your side who knows the system and will not back down.
Our attorneys handle all aspects of workers compensation claims, from the initial injury report and Form 18 filing through hearings before the North Carolina Industrial Commission. We work directly with your medical providers to ensure your treatment is properly authorized, we calculate your correct average weekly wage to maximize your disability payments, and we negotiate settlements that fully account for your future medical needs and earning capacity.
Every workplace injury case is unique. A construction worker who falls from scaffolding faces different challenges than an office employee developing carpal tunnel syndrome or a factory worker exposed to toxic chemicals. That is why we take the time to understand your specific situation, document your injuries thoroughly, and build a strong case that protects your rights and maximizes your recovery. From your first consultation through final settlement or hearing, you will have a dedicated workers compensation attorney working on your behalf.
Types of Workers Compensation Cases We Handle
Workplace Injuries
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Equipment accidents
- Lifting and back injuries
- Burns and chemical exposure
- Vehicle accidents on the job
Construction Accidents
- Falls from heights
- Scaffolding collapses
- Electrical accidents
- Heavy machinery injuries
- Struck by falling objects
Denied Claims Appeals
- Wrongful claim denials
- Industrial Commission hearings
- Benefit reduction disputes
- Medical treatment denials
- Employer retaliation claims
Repetitive Stress Injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Chronic back and neck pain
- Tendonitis and bursitis
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Hearing loss from noise
Injured at Work? Get Help Now
No upfront fees • We only get paid when you win • Se Habla Espanol
How Our Workers Compensation Process Works
From your workplace injury to full recovery, we guide you every step of the way
Report Injury
Notify your employer immediately and document the accident. We help you complete the required injury report (Form 18) correctly
File Claim
We prepare and file your workers compensation claim with the insurance carrier and North Carolina Industrial Commission
Medical Treatment
We ensure you receive proper medical care, authorize specialist referrals, and fight any treatment denials from the insurance company
Compensation
We negotiate maximum settlement or represent you at hearings to secure wage replacement, disability benefits, and full medical coverage
Workers Compensation Benefits You Deserve
Understanding the full range of benefits available to injured workers
Medical Benefits
Full Coverage for Work Injuries
All reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your workplace injury, paid in full by the insurance carrier.
- Doctor visits and specialists
- Surgery and hospitalization
- Physical therapy and rehab
- Prescription medications
Wage Replacement
Income While You Recover
Temporary disability payments equal to two thirds of your average weekly wage while you are unable to work due to your injury.
- Temporary total disability
- Temporary partial disability
- Mileage reimbursement
- Vocational rehabilitation
Disability Benefits
Compensation for Lasting Impairment
If your work injury results in permanent impairment, you are entitled to additional compensation based on your disability rating.
- Permanent partial disability
- Permanent total disability
- Death benefits for families
- Lump sum settlements
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common workers compensation questions
Report the injury to your supervisor immediately, seek medical attention, and document everything. Notify your employer in writing within 30 days. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies without consulting an attorney first.
No, it is illegal for employers to retaliate against employees for filing workers comp claims. If you face retaliation, termination, or reduced hours due to your claim, you may have additional legal remedies beyond workers compensation.
Workers comp covers medical expenses, lost wages (typically 2/3 of average weekly wage), vocational rehabilitation, and permanent disability payments. Specific benefits depend on the severity and nature of your injury.
You must report workplace injuries within 30 days and file a claim within 2 years of the injury date. However, reporting immediately protects your rights and ensures prompt medical care.
You can appeal denied claims to the North Carolina Industrial Commission. Having an experienced workers comp attorney significantly improves your chances of overturning a denial and obtaining the benefits you deserve.
While you are not legally required to have a lawyer, insurance companies have teams of adjusters and attorneys working to minimize your benefits. An experienced workers comp attorney ensures you receive full medical treatment, proper wage replacement, and fair disability ratings. Most workers comp attorneys work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless you win.
In North Carolina, your employer or their insurance company typically has the right to direct your medical care and choose the treating physician. However, you can request a change of physician through the Industrial Commission if you are unsatisfied with your current provider or believe you need a specialist.
Temporary disability benefits are paid while you are recovering and unable to work. Once you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), your doctor will assign a permanent disability rating if you have lasting impairment. Permanent disability benefits compensate you for the long term impact of your work injury on your earning capacity.
Additional Workers Compensation Services
Why Choose Our Workers Compensation Team?
Workers Compensation Law in North Carolina and Florida: What Every Injured Worker Must Know
Workers compensation is a no-fault insurance system that provides wage replacement, medical treatment, and rehabilitation benefits to employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses. Unlike a personal injury lawsuit, workers compensation does not require proof that your employer was negligent — only that the injury arose out of and in the course of your employment. However, the system is administered by employers and their insurance carriers, who have strong financial incentives to minimize or deny valid claims. An experienced workers compensation attorney levels the playing field and ensures injured workers receive every benefit they are entitled to under the law.
North Carolina's workers compensation system is governed by the North Carolina Workers Compensation Act (N.C.G.S. Chapter 97) and administered by the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC). NC employers with three or more employees are required to carry workers compensation insurance. When a workplace injury occurs, the injured worker must notify their employer in writing within 30 days and file a Form 18 Notice of Accident with the NCIC within two years. Benefits available under NC law include payment of all authorized medical treatment at no cost to the worker, temporary total disability (TTD) benefits equal to two-thirds of the average weekly wage, temporary partial disability benefits during light-duty periods, permanent partial disability (PPD) payments based on an impairment rating, and vocational rehabilitation services when the worker cannot return to their prior job.
Florida's workers compensation system is governed by Chapter 440 of the Florida Statutes and administered by the Florida Division of Workers Compensation. FL employers with four or more employees (one or more in the construction industry) must carry coverage. Florida provides a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident to file a Petition for Benefits. FL workers compensation covers authorized medical treatment, temporary total and partial disability wage loss benefits, impairment income benefits (IIBs) calculated on the degree of permanent impairment, and supplemental benefits for those with significant impairments. Florida's 2003 reforms made the system more restrictive — injured workers must use authorized providers, face strict deadlines, and may have benefits cut off at specified time limits without careful legal advocacy.
Common reasons workers compensation claims are denied or contested include employer disputes that the injury occurred at work, claims that the condition is a pre-existing condition unrelated to employment, allegations that the worker was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of injury, assertions that the worker failed to timely report the injury, disputes about the degree of disability and appropriate impairment rating, and refusal by insurance carriers to authorize recommended medical procedures. Each of these denial grounds can be challenged with proper evidence and legal advocacy. Our attorneys gather medical records, obtain expert opinions, interview witnesses, and present the strongest possible case at Industrial Commission or Division hearings.
Vasquez Law Firm represents injured workers throughout North Carolina and Florida in all types of workers compensation matters — from initial claim filing through appeals at the Full Commission or appellate courts. We handle cases involving construction accidents, manufacturing injuries, warehouse and distribution center incidents, restaurant and hospitality injuries, agricultural worker claims, and occupational diseases. Our bilingual team serves Spanish-speaking workers throughout both states. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we collect no fee unless we recover benefits for you. If you have been injured at work or your claim has been denied, contact us today at 1-844-967-3536.
Workers Compensation Legal Insights
Learn about your rights and how to maximize your workers comp benefits.
Injured at Work? Get the Benefits You Deserve
Do not let insurance companies deny your valid workers compensation claim.
Whether you suffered a workplace injury, construction accident, repetitive stress condition, or had your claim wrongfully denied, our workers compensation attorneys are ready to fight for you. We handle all the paperwork, deal with the insurance company, and represent you at hearings so you can focus on recovery. Call us now or schedule a free consultation online.
Schedule Free Workers Comp Consultation