Aviation Worker Injury Attorney In Charlotte, NC
Aviation is an inherently dangerous industry in several ways, for those working both on the ground and in the air. The Charlotte-Douglas International Airport employs thousands of people, and Charlotte is home to major airline headquarters as well as various aerospace industry operations. If you are hurt on this job in this industry, it’s crucial to speak with a Charlotte aviation worker injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Legal Counsel for Aviation Worker Injury Claims in Charlotte, NC
Our trusted workers’ compensation lawyers in Charlotte evaluate complex claims for injured airline employees and ground crew members. The attorneys at Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC have years of proven experience helping injured workers across various industries in Charlotte and the surrounding areas of North Carolina. We will listen to your story, explain the steps you will need to complete to claim workers’ compensation benefits, and determine whether you have grounds to claim additional compensation outside of your employer’s insurance.
Aviation accidents can be incredibly dangerous and often result in multiple victims. While the obvious danger from working in this industry is a plane crash, it is also possible for workers in the aviation industry to be injured during manufacturing and repair operations, while refueling aircraft, and from vehicle accidents while taxiing to and from airport runways. Flight attendants can also sustain injuries or develop repetitive stress injuries from their work duties.
In 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that about 35,700 of the 64,200 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses recorded throughout North Carolina qualified as severe, meaning they resulted in missed days of work, job transfers, or duty restrictions. Almost every private employer in the state is required to have workers’ compensation insurance, and most regular workers qualify to claim benefits through this insurance if they are hurt on the job.
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Charlotte
Filing a workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina is similar to filing most other types of insurance claims, except your employer plays an important active role in the process. You must report your injury right away so your employer can document it in an incident report and provide you with the materials you need to file your claim. Understanding the strict time limits for filing a workers’ comp claim in North Carolina is essential to protecting your right to benefits. North Carolina law requires that you report a work injury within 30 days; otherwise, you could be disqualified from receiving benefits.
After reporting your injury, you will likely need to undergo a functional capacity evaluation with a workers’ compensation doctor in your area. Your employer’s insurance company provides a list of doctors you must see for this evaluation. While you can see any doctor in an emergency, you will need to see an approved workers’ compensation doctor once you are stable for a functional capacity evaluation.
This doctor will assign you a disability rating that reflects the severity of your injury and the scope of its effects. The higher your rating, the more you are likely to receive in disability benefits. After the insurance company reviews the report from your evaluation and other evidence, they may contact you and/or your employer for more information before deciding your claim, and if it is approved, you should receive your determination of benefits within a few weeks.
Most employers in North Carolina handle these claims in good faith, and insurance companies are required to investigate claims and resolve them fairly. However, you could encounter problems with your employer or their insurance company that you will not be able to resolve without assistance from legal counsel. Do not wait to be unfairly denied benefits to speak with an attorney.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation Benefits
A successful workers’ compensation claim in Charlotte usually yields two types of compensation. First, the insurance company covers the cost of all medical care the claimant needs to recover from their injury as fully as possible. This can include the cost of ongoing rehabilitative care. Second, the insurance company pays disability benefits to the claimant each week until they are able to return to work.
Disability benefits can be paid in different formats, and it is possible for you to receive partial disability benefits after your injury if you can still work in a limited capacity while you recover. Temporary total disability benefits are paid when the injured worker cannot work at all while they recover, and temporary partial disability benefits can make up the differences in their earnings if they can manage lower-paying work while they recover.
It is also vital to remember that if a family member recently died in an accident while performing their job duties as an aviation worker, your family may qualify to claim death benefits through their employer. This type of workers’ compensation claim can yield compensation for the victim’s final medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, and the income they otherwise would have been able to earn if they had survived.
Your Charlotte aviation worker injury attorney can review your determination of benefits to make sure it’s fair, and then determine whether you have grounds to pursue compensation outside of a workers’ compensation claim. If anyone outside of your work directly caused your injury, you may have grounds to file a third-party work injury claim.
Third-Party Personal Injury Claims for Aviation Accidents
You generally cannot sue an employer for a workplace accident in North Carolina if they have workers’ compensation insurance, but if any party outside of your work is responsible for your injury, then you may qualify to file a third-party personal injury claim against them. Success with this claim could enable you to recover damages not covered by workers’ compensation insurance, such as your pain and suffering.
For example, if you were injured in an aviation accident because of a defective product, the manufacturer would be liable for your damages under product liability law. Your attorney could help you file a workers’ compensation claim, and then you could build a third-party personal injury case against the manufacturer to seek compensation for your other damages. A skilled attorney will be an invaluable asset to have for this type of case.
Ultimately, any aviation worker injury claim will be easier to navigate with legal counsel you can trust on your side. The team at Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC has years of proven experience helping injured workers across various industries with all types of work injury cases in Charlotte, and we are ready to put that experience to work for you. Reach out to our firm as soon as possible to learn more about our legal services and how we can help with your case.
FAQs
Q: Do I Need to Prove Fault for an Aviation Accident to Claim Workers’ Compensation?
A: No, you do not need to prove fault for an aviation accident to claim workers’ compensation. This insurance functions on a no-fault basis, so you only need to show that your injury happened while you were working to qualify for benefits. However, if you file a third-party personal injury claim, proving fault will be essential for success with that civil case.
Q: Does Workers’ Compensation Insurance Pay Pain and Suffering Compensation?
A: No, workers’ compensation insurance does not pay pain and suffering compensation. You can expect full coverage of all medical expenses related to your work injury, and you can receive ongoing disability benefits during the time you are unable to work during your recovery. You can, however, claim pain and suffering compensation in a third-party personal injury case.
Q: How Much Can I Receive in Workers’ Compensation Benefits for an Aviation Accident?
A: The amount you can receive in workers’ compensation benefits for an aviation accident depends on the overall severity of the injury and how long it leaves you unable to work. Your Charlotte aviation worker injury lawyer can guide you through the filing process and help you secure a fair determination of benefits, and you are more likely to secure as much as possible with their assistance.
Q: How Long Does it Take to Finalize an Aviation Worker Injury Claim in Charlotte?
A: The time it takes to finalize an aviation worker injury claim in Charlotte varies based on the specific details of your case. If you hire an aviation worker injury lawyer to represent you, they can potentially help you resolve your claim within a reasonable timeframe, likely a few weeks to a few months. More complex cases and contested cases can take longer to resolve.
Q: Why Should I Hire an Aviation Worker Injury Lawyer?
A: You should hire an aviation worker injury lawyer because your case could be more difficult to resolve than you initially expected. You need legal counsel you can trust to not only assist you with the claim-filing process, but also to have a better chance of securing as much compensation as possible for your injury.
The attorneys at Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC know how damaging aviation accidents can be, and we have the skills and experience required to handle the most challenging work injury cases in Charlotte. If you or a family member has been injured in an aviation accident of any kind, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Charlotte aviation worker injury lawyer.
Charlotte, NC Related Aviation Worker Injury Resources
Charlotte, NC Aviation Worker Injury Legal Resources
About Charlotte, NC
Charlotte features major international hubs like the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, which serves as one of the busiest aviation centers in the United States and drives regional economic growth. However, intensive airfield operations and aircraft maintenance present constant workplace hazards, contributing to over 35,700 severe workplace injuries reported in North Carolina in 2024. In response, federal aviation regulators and state safety officials continuously enforce strict operational standards across regional terminals and maintenance hangars. These comprehensive oversight initiatives help safeguard Charlotte’s vital transportation workforce.
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