Charlotte Healthcare Worker Injury Attorneys

Employees in the healthcare industry commit themselves to helping others, but their jobs often come with significant risks. In addition to frequently working around dangerous machinery, contagious diseases, and potentially violent patients, healthcare settings are often high-stress environments, and employees are expected to work brutally long hours that can push their bodies to their physical limits. When a healthcare employee is injured or becomes ill because of their work, they are generally entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Unfortunately, accessing these benefits often poses a significant challenge.

Assisting North Carolina Healthcare Workers With Workers’ Compensation Claims

If you are a healthcare worker who has suffered a job-related injury and is now struggling to get benefits, Stewart Law Offices wants to help. We have been successfully* representing injury victims for over 25 years and are well-versed in how to strategically approach cases involving this unique industry. Our Charlotte healthcare worker injury lawyers are committed to maximizing what you recover, no matter the scope or severity of your condition. Our team will also treat you with the compassion and respect you deserve, which is why we are available to answer questions 24/7 and are happy to travel to your home or the hospital where you are being treated if you are unable to come to us. You will discuss your case with one of our qualified attorneys, not a staff member, and they will walk you through your legal options. We have the experience and drive to fight for a favorable conclusion, and our legal professionals will be there to support you from beginning to end.

You need our Charlotte healthcare worker injury lawyers, who are prepared to aggressively fight to enforce your rights and to secure the benefits you deserve.

Can a Healthcare Worker Get Workers’ Compensation Insurance in North Carolina?

When you are injured at or because of your work in the healthcare industry, you may be wondering if you are entitled to any form of compensation, especially if someone else is responsible for your injuries. While you cannot file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer, even if they were negligent, there is a good chance you have a right to workers’ compensation benefits if you are a healthcare employee who sustained an on-the-job injury.

As a North Carolina healthcare worker, you are likely covered by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy if:

• You were an employee (not an independent contractor) at the time of the accident or when the injuries developed
• Your employer has at least three employees (most hospitals and healthcare settings meet this requirement)
• You were not intoxicated or trying to hurt yourself or someone else when the injury occurred
• Your injuries are job-related

North Carolina is a no-fault state when it comes to workers’ compensation, meaning it does not matter who is to blame for your injuries. Even if you were responsible for your injuries, you typically have the right to file a claim.

To avoid losing your right to workers’ compensation, you must report your work-related injury to your employer within 30 days of discovering it. In cases where the connection between an injury and your employment is not immediately obvious, the clock does not start ticking until you discover (or should have discovered) your injury may be linked to your employment. You should submit a report in writing to your employer promptly after an accident or after you have reason to believe an injury or illness may be work-related.

Once this initial report has been made, you will need to go about filing a workers’ compensation claim within two years of the date you discovered your work-related injury. Our Charlotte healthcare worker injury attorneys can help ascertain whether you are eligible for workers’ compensation, ensure you do not miss any relevant deadlines, and prepare your claim.

What Types of Healthcare Worker Injuries Are Covered by Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina?

You must be able to demonstrate that your injury or illness was “work-related” to get workers’ compensation benefits, which include coverage of medical expenses and a portion of lost income. A work-related injury is a condition that arises in connection with your employment.

Work-related injuries that typically qualify a healthcare employee for workers’ compensation include:

• Physical injuries caused by an accident or incident. Examples include slips and falls in hospital settings, attacks perpetrated by mentally ill patients, and accidents involving machinery or surgical equipment.
• Repetitive stress injuries are caused by frequent, repeated motions required by the job. Healthcare workers in physically demanding roles can sustain these injuries, but even employees who work primarily at a desk can develop conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Occupational illnesses. These include serious illnesses contracted in your workplace, the adverse health consequences of toxic exposure, and mental disorders triggered by an intense working environment.

How an Attorney Can Help With Your Workers’ Compensation Claim

Your employer’s insurer may attempt to deny your workers’ compensation claim on one of several grounds. They may claim your injuries are not work-related or that you are not eligible for benefits at all. Your employer’s insurance company will also often make every effort to pay out as little as possible, no matter the severity of your injury.

To protect your interests and fight for the benefits your situation demands, you need someone familiar with the law, your rights, and how to effectively navigate these disputes.

Turn to our dedicated team at Stewart Law Offices if:

• Your claim was denied
• You were offered an inadequate settlement
• Your employer’s insurer is not responding to your calls or emails
• Your employer refuses to report your injury
• Your employer or their insurer claims your injury is not significant enough to warrant temporary or permanent disability benefits
• The doctor selected by your employer or their insurer does not recognize the scope of your injuries