Gastonia Workers Compensation Lawyer

Workers Compensation Attorney in Gastonia, NC

When you’re injured on the job, talking to a Gastonia workers’ compensation lawyer can help you understand your rights and determine what benefits you can pursue under North Carolina law. Not only can workplace injuries keep you from earning a living, but they can also result in unexpected medical bills and long-term physical difficulties.

Hire a Workers Compensation Lawyer Early

Workplace injuries can interfere with your life in more ways than one. Not only can recovering from your injury take time and energy, but dealing with insurance companies can be stressful and demanding. Insurers are businesses, and they often try to minimize payouts. Hiring an attorney is often the smoothest path to navigating this stressful process.

When you hire a workers’ compensation lawyer, you hire someone to help you navigate the complexities of the law. Your Hickory workers’ compensation attorney can gather your medical evidence, help you understand what benefits you qualify for, and advocate for everything to be filed on time. Should your claim be denied, your lawyer can speak on your behalf with the North Carolina Industrial Commission.

Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC is very familiar with workers’ compensation cases at the Gaston County Courthouse, situated at 325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Gastonia. We know the ins and outs of local court procedures. For dependable legal representation in Gastonia and the surrounding North Carolina area, turn to Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC.

We’re proud to provide caring legal representation to workers and families throughout North Carolina. If you have been hurt on the job or have a family member who has been injured, we understand how difficult workplace injuries can be. Our attorneys are committed to serving our clients and pursuing the greatest possible outcome.

Whether you need a criminal defense attorney, immigration attorney, or workers’ compensation lawyer, our team can help.

Workers’ Compensation Laws in North Carolina

Like most states, North Carolina requires employers to have workers’ compensation insurance to cover employees who become injured or ill as a direct result of their job. According to North Carolina General Statute § 97-2, businesses in the state with at least three employees are obligated to have workers’ compensation insurance.

Workers’ compensation benefits can provide reimbursements for medical treatment associated with a work injury, cover necessary rehabilitation treatment, and even provide partial wage replacement while injured employees recover. Some workers who are injured on the job may even qualify for disability compensation if their injury results in a long-term disability.

Besides covering medical bills and lost income, the North Carolina General Statute § 97-29 grants specific rights to those hurt on the job. This law establishes the rules for receiving wage-replacement benefits through workers’ compensation. When workers are unable to return to work after an injury, temporary disability payments can provide injured employees with a portion of their lost wages.

What To Do After a Workplace Accident

After suffering an injury at work, there are certain steps you should take to protect your claim. Workers who spend time advocating for their benefits often do so because they fail to provide enough evidence that their injury is work-related and should be covered. If you find yourself injured on the job, be sure to:

• Report your injury to your employer
• Get medical treatment and follow your doctor’s advice
• Write down exactly how the accident took place
• Gather the contact information of any witnesses
• Save medical bills and records, as well as any documentation related to your injury
• Hire a workers’ compensation lawyer if your claim is denied

Private companies reported 64,200 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in North Carolina in 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Compared to the national average of 2.3, North Carolina’s injury and illness rate per 100 full-time workers in 2024 was 1.9.

Benefits of Workers Compensation

Recovering from a workplace injury can be a long and arduous process. Fortunately, workers’ compensation can provide financial assistance to injured employees while they recover. Workers’ compensation can provide benefits such as:

• Medical care for your work-related injury
• Disability benefits to replace your wages while you recover
• Compensation if you are left with a lasting impairment
• Rehabilitation to find a new career if you’re unable to return to work
• Benefits for partial disability

FAQs

What Are My Rights as an Employee in NC?

As an employee in North Carolina, you have the right to a safe workplace. If you are hurt on the job, you may also have the right to receive workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits can include payment for medical treatment and partial replacement of lost wages. Employees also have the right not to be fired for filing a valid workers’ comp claim.

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Workers Comp Case in NC?

The workers’ compensation claims process in North Carolina can take anywhere from a few months to over a year. The severity of your injury and whether your claim is contested are the biggest factors in how long it will take to settle your claim. Injuries that require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation will take longer to settle than minor injuries. If your claim is disputed, it could take years to receive compensation through the workers’ comp insurance system.

How Does Workers’ Comp Pay You Out?

Workers’ comp typically will not pay out in one lump sum. Instead, injured workers receive benefits on a weekly basis. The amount of money paid is usually about two-thirds of the worker’s weekly earnings, with a cap set by state law. Injured workers do not directly pay for medical treatment related to their injury. The provider is paid directly by workers’ compensation insurance.

Who Is Required to carry workers’ comp in NC?

In North Carolina, many employers with at least three employees are required to have workers’ compensation coverage. This includes corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies. North Carolina law requires most employers to have workers’ comp insurance to cover their employees. When workers are injured on the job, they are typically entitled to receive medical treatment and have a portion of their wages replaced.

Speak To Our Gastonia Workers Compensation Lawyer

If you suffered a workplace injury, Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC can help you throughout the legal process and pursue the compensation you deserve. Let our team put their knowledge and experience to work for you. Contact us today for a consultation.

Gastonia, NC Workers Compensation Resources

• Can Psychological Stress be Compensable Under Workers’ Comp?
• Can You Choose Your Own Doctor in a Workers’ Comp Case?