Injured at Work? Get the Compensation You Deserve
Hurt at Work? Your Employer's Insurance Company Is Not on Your Side.
Every year, thousands of North Carolina workers are injured on the job and face denied claims, delayed benefits, and pressure to return to work too soon. You have legal rights. Our workers comp attorneys fight to protect them.
Whether you were injured in a construction accident in Charlotte, a factory incident in Greensboro, or a warehouse injury in Raleigh, our experienced workers compensation lawyers serve injured workers across all 100 North Carolina counties. We handle denied claims, appeals before the NC Industrial Commission, and third-party liability claims when your workplace injury was caused by someone other than your employer. Free evaluation. No fee unless we win.
Workplace Injuries We Handle in North Carolina
Our NC workers compensation attorneys represent injured workers in every industry across the state.
Construction Injuries
Falls from scaffolding and ladders, heavy equipment accidents, electrocution, struck-by injuries, trench collapses, and crane accidents on NC construction sites. OSHA violations strengthen your claim.
Factory & Manufacturing
Machine entanglement, repetitive motion injuries, chemical exposure, burns, forklift accidents, and assembly line injuries in NC manufacturing plants and processing facilities.
Back & Spinal Injuries
Herniated discs, spinal cord injuries, chronic back pain from heavy lifting, and repetitive strain injuries. These long-term injuries often require ongoing medical care and permanent disability benefits.
Denied Claims
Insurance companies deny valid claims every day. Disputed causation, late reporting, pre-existing condition arguments, and insufficient medical evidence are common tactics. We appeal denials before the NC Industrial Commission.
Occupational Diseases
Lung diseases from toxic exposure, hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other conditions caused by long-term workplace hazards. NC law covers occupational diseases under the Workers Compensation Act.
Death Benefits
When a workplace accident takes a loved one, surviving family members are entitled to death benefits including funeral expenses (up to $10,000) and weekly compensation for dependents under NC law.
How NC Workers Compensation Works
North Carolina's Workers' Compensation Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 97) requires most employers with three or more employees to carry workers compensation insurance. This system provides benefits to employees who are injured on the job or develop occupational diseases, regardless of who was at fault for the injury. However, the system is administered by insurance companies whose goal is to minimize payouts — not to protect your interests.
Important Deadlines
30 days to report your injury to your employer. 2 years to file a claim with the NC Industrial Commission. Missing either deadline can result in losing your benefits entirely. Contact a workers comp attorney immediately after a workplace injury.
Benefits Available Under NC Workers Comp
Medical Treatment
All reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your workplace injury, including surgery, physical therapy, medication, and medical devices. Your employer's insurance carrier selects the treating physician, but you can request a change.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
If you cannot work due to your injury, you receive 66.67% of your average weekly wage (subject to maximum limits set annually by the Industrial Commission). TTD benefits continue until you return to work, reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), or 500 weeks.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
If your injury results in a permanent impairment rating, you receive compensation based on the body part affected and the disability rating. NC law provides specific schedules for different body parts (arms, legs, eyes, hearing, back).
Vocational Rehabilitation
If you cannot return to your previous job, workers comp may cover vocational rehabilitation services including job retraining, education, and placement assistance to help you find suitable alternative employment.
Why You Need a Workers Comp Attorney in NC
The workers compensation system is designed to be adversarial. Insurance companies employ teams of adjusters and lawyers whose job is to minimize your benefits. They may deny your claim, argue your injury is not work-related, or pressure you to accept a lowball settlement. Without an attorney, you are at a significant disadvantage.
Our NC workers compensation lawyers level the playing field. We handle all communication with the insurance company, gather medical evidence to support your claim, represent you at Industrial Commission hearings, and negotiate settlements that account for your full damages including future medical needs and lost earning capacity.
Upfront Cost
No fee unless we win your benefits
NC Counties Served
Statewide workers comp representation
Years Experience
Decades fighting for injured workers
Emergency Line
Available for urgent workplace injuries
Free Workers Comp Consultation
Serving injured workers across all of North Carolina
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What type of legal issue do you have?
Industries We Serve in North Carolina
Construction
Manufacturing
Warehousing
Healthcare
Agriculture
Transportation
Retail
Hospitality
Meatpacking
Roofing
Landscaping
Food Processing
NC Workers Compensation FAQ
What does workers compensation cover in North Carolina?
NC workers compensation covers medical treatment for work-related injuries, temporary total disability (TTD) benefits at 66.67% of your average weekly wage, permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits, permanent total disability benefits, vocational rehabilitation, and death benefits for surviving family members. All employers with 3 or more employees are required to carry workers comp insurance in NC.
How do I file a workers comp claim in NC?
Step 1: Report your injury to your employer immediately (you have 30 days, but report ASAP). Step 2: Seek medical treatment from an approved provider. Step 3: Your employer files Form 19 with the NC Industrial Commission. Step 4: The insurance carrier accepts or denies your claim. If denied, you have the right to request a hearing. An attorney can help at any stage of this process.
What if my NC workers comp claim was denied?
A denied claim is not the end. Common denial reasons include late reporting, disputed causation, pre-existing conditions, and missed deadlines. You can request a hearing before the NC Industrial Commission, present medical evidence, and have a workers comp attorney argue your case. We have successfully overturned many denied claims.
Can I be fired for filing a workers comp claim in NC?
North Carolina law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for filing workers compensation claims (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-6.1). If you were fired, demoted, or otherwise retaliated against after filing a claim, you may have a separate retaliation claim. Contact us immediately if you suspect retaliation.
How much does a workers comp lawyer cost in NC?
Workers compensation attorneys in North Carolina typically work on a contingency fee basis. Under NC law, attorney fees in workers comp cases are approved by the Industrial Commission and typically do not exceed 25% of the award. You pay nothing upfront and no fees unless we secure benefits for you.
Can undocumented workers get workers comp in North Carolina?
Yes. Under North Carolina law, workers compensation benefits are available to all employees regardless of immigration status. The NC Workers Compensation Act does not require proof of legal work authorization. If you were injured on the job, you are entitled to benefits. Our bilingual team can help.
Workers Compensation Law in North Carolina
NC Workers Compensation Act
North Carolina's Workers' Compensation Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-1 et seq.) establishes a no-fault system that provides medical and wage replacement benefits to employees who suffer injuries arising out of and in the course of their employment. The Act applies to employers with three or more employees, and the NC Industrial Commission serves as the administrative body that adjudicates disputed claims. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-22, injured workers must notify their employer of the injury within 30 days, and claims must be filed with the Industrial Commission within two years of the injury under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-24.
Benefits and Compensation
Compensation under the NC system includes payment of all necessary medical expenses (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-25), temporary total disability benefits calculated at 66.67% of the average weekly wage (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-29), permanent partial disability benefits based on scheduled body part ratings (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-31), and death benefits for eligible dependents (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 97-38). In certain cases involving employer safety violations or third-party negligence, additional compensation may be available outside the workers compensation system through personal injury claims.
Statewide Legal Support
If you have been injured at work in North Carolina, contact Vasquez Law Firm at 1-844-967-3536 for a free evaluation. Our bilingual workers compensation attorneys serve clients across all 100 NC counties from our offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Smithfield. We fight to ensure you receive every benefit you are entitled to under the law.
Hurt at Work in North Carolina? We Can Help.
Free evaluation. No fee unless we win your benefits. Se habla espanol.