Greenville Workers Compensation Lawyer

Workers Compensation Attorney In Greenville, NC

If you or a loved one has been injured on the job in Greenville, you may be entitled to receive certain benefits under your employer’s workers’ compensation benefits. Greenville is known for its manufacturing, healthcare, and technology industries, but these areas of employment can also pose serious risks for workers. Whether you build boats near MLK J.R. Highway or work at the Vidant Medical Center, a Greenville workers’ compensation lawyer is here to help.

For over a decade, the team at Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC has been working to help injured individuals and their families receive the benefits they deserve under their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. We have experience navigating the difficult and stressful workers’ compensation process and are here to protect both your livelihood and your future. Whatever your injuries entail, we want to help you secure the benefits you deserve.

Our attorneys are part of both the North and South Carolina Bar Associations and are here to provide all clients with the dedicated legal counsel and representation necessary to handle a workers’ compensation case. While it is possible to file a workers’ compensation claim on your own, having an attorney by your side can help you reach better results and a more favorable outcome. At Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC, we are here for you every step of the way.

Common Industries Where Workers Are Injured

Every seven seconds in the United States, an individual is injured at work. As a worker, when injured, you deserve to have full access to workers’ compensation benefits. Sometimes, the insurance company or your employer can make it difficult to recover the full number of benefits you are entitled to. When this happens, it is important that you speak with an attorney who can hold these parties accountable.

At Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC, we are here to assist workers who have been injured in a wide range of industries. In Greenville, the most common industries where workers are injured include the following:

• Manufacturing. When an individual is employed at a production center or any kind of manufacturing plant, they are likely in contact with heavy machinery or specialized forms of equipment daily. These forms of machinery or equipment could cause severe injuries and even death. You might also work with or near dangerous chemicals, which could cause certain illnesses based on repeated exposure.
• Construction. This is one of the most dangerous fields of industry across the entire United States. In construction, employees are often exposed to various risks on the job site, including risks resulting in heavy equipment injuries, slip and fall accidents, injuries due to falling objects, electrical hazards, and fires or explosions. When certain substances are present on a jobsite, these can also cause injuries or illness due to exposure.
• Hospitality. While the hospitality industry might not appear obvious in terms of dangers and risks, employees within this industry can suffer plenty of work-related injuries. Some of the most common injuries can include those occurring because of slips, trips, and falls, or other similar accidents. Workers can also face repetitive stress injuries due to performing the same tasks day in and day out.
• Warehousing. Jobs in this industry typically require that employers use loaders, forklifts, and other similar forms of equipment, which could inflict serious and even deadly injuries when an accident takes place. It is also possible for injuries to take place when shelving units fail or when objects are dropped from large heights. You may also be exposed to dangerous chemical spills or slips, trips, and falls.
• Healthcare and medical. Every day, men and women across Greenville work to protect others from medical issues and save lives. These individuals can be exposed to bloodborne pathogens, infections, disease, and other things that can cause illness or injury. They may also suffer injury at the hands of dangerous or unpredictable patients. In 2022, the state of North Carolina saw four deaths take place in the healthcare field.

No matter the nature of your injury or the way in which it occurred, the workers’ compensation lawyers at Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC are here for you. We understand the difficulties you are facing and are here to help you however you need. Every day, people in Greenville suffer injuries or develop illnesses on the job. Let us help prove that these conditions are work-related so that you can get the benefits you deserve.

What Workplace Injuries Are Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

If you have suffered an injury on the job, you may be entitled to compensation. This compensation is likely available to you no matter the nature and severity of your injury. At Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC, we have helped countless clients just like yourself who have suffered various workplace injuries and illnesses, such as the following:

• Slip and fall injuries. These injuries are one of the most frequent that take place at work. These accidents can often lead to injuries to the spinal cord, which may or may not result in some form of paralysis, and brain injuries that can cause permanent cognitive and physical disabilities. It can also lead to death. Slips and falls are one of the leading causes of death in the American workplace.
• Back injuries. Another common workplace injury, back injuries, often impacts individuals who must lift heavy weights while working. These injuries are most common in trucking, manufacturing, warehousing, construction, and other manual labor jobs. Most back injuries happen due to a one-time event, but can also be caused by repetitive motions required for a job.
• Burns. A worker may suffer a burn under various circumstances. The most obvious of these circumstances includes exposure to fire or hot surfaces. A worker, however, can be exposed to chemicals that can cause severe burns or can suffer burns from electrocution. Burns can also penetrate many layers of the skin, leading to the possibility of infection.
• Fractures or breaks. When an individual fractures or breaks a bone at work, these injuries are serious and often result in surgery and physical therapy requirements. These injuries often take place in jobs where the employee must work alongside heavy machinery or have other physical demands placed on them. Common accidents causing these injuries include falls and crushing incidents.
• Repetitive motion injuries. In almost every industry, workers run the risk of dealing with repetitive stress injuries. These injuries occur when a worker must perform the same actions every day as they go about their duties. For example, an individual who sits typing at a computer all day has a higher risk of developing things like carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis.
• Occupational illnesses or diseases. Workers may be exposed to certain work-related illnesses. For example, a construction worker who is regularly exposed to asbestos may have a higher risk of developing mesothelioma later in life. Other occupational illnesses can include additional forms of cancer and conditions that impact the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

These are just a few of the injuries that could qualify you for a workers’ compensation claim. If you have found yourself suffering from any injuries or illnesses following an accident at work, it is time to reach out to Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC immediately.

Steps to Take Following a Workplace Injury

If you have been injured on the job in North Carolina, there are certain steps you should take, if you are physically able, to protect your rights to a future workers’ compensation claim. These steps include:

• Inform your employer. First and foremost, it is vital that you inform your employer about your accident and injury as soon as possible. In North Carolina, you only have about a month to tell your employer in writing what took place. You should include your name, the date, time, and location of your accident, and a brief description of what exactly took place. They should then provide you with the form you need to fill out.
• Seek medical attention. It is crucial that you receive medical attention as soon as possible, especially for serious and potentially deadly injuries. The sooner you seek medical care, the sooner you put yourself on the path of recovery. Seeing a doctor can also help establish a valid record of your injury. It is important to follow all care instructions and take any prescribed medications or use any provided medical devices.
• Keep track of all expenses. It can also be important to keep a list of certain things, such as the miles you drive to and from your doctor’s office, the hospital, your physical therapist, or other related appointments. You will also want to keep copious notes of all your pharmacy receipts and any receipts provided by your healthcare providers.
• Receive a doctor’s note. If your doctor advises that you miss work for any period because of the injury you have sustained, it is important that you get this in writing. If you do not receive an official, written doctor’s note, then you will not be able to claim disability payments for any days you miss from work.
• Contact a lawyer. Last, but arguably one of the most important steps, is to reach out to a workers’ compensation attorney who can help you file your case, ensure that all the correct steps are taken, and fight for your right to benefits.

If you or a loved one is injured at work, taking these steps is crucial. Reach out to the attorneys at Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC, who can help ensure these steps are adequately taken and crossed off your to-do list so that we can get you on the road to recovery.

Benefits Available in a Workers’ Comp Case

When an individual is injured at work, their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance should kick in and offer certain benefits. In North Carolina, there are two main forms of benefits you may be able to receive under your employer’s insurance coverage. These include medical benefits and disability benefits.

Medical benefits help cover all medical bills and expenses related to your injury. This can include bills for your initial emergency room or doctor’s office visit, but also any bills for necessary treatments, medications, medical devices, and other related items.

If you happen to be out of work for an extended period, you may be able to receive workers’ compensation disability benefits. These benefits are typically not taxed. However, you will only be able to receive these benefits for a certain period.

Additional disability benefits may be available for individuals who suffer a permanent disability and are deemed totally and permanently disabled. These benefits can include disability payments and the coverage of all future medical expenses related to your disability.

Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Not all cases of workplace injuries necessitate the need for a lawyer. If you have suffered a minor injury, such as a simple laceration, and there are no complications or follow-up care necessary, or you do not have to miss work, and your claim was accepted, then a lawyer can help you file your paperwork, but otherwise, there is no need to legally fight.

However, there are certain situations where a lawyer’s assistance is just beneficial. It is essential. If any of the following circumstances sound like your case, you need to reach out to the attorneys at Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC right away:

• Your initial claim for workers’ compensation is denied or otherwise disputed
• You have a pre-existing condition that may come into play
• Your benefits have been reduced or delayed for seemingly no reason
• Your injury is so serious that it limits your ability to return to work or keeps you from returning to work altogether
• You plan to apply for the necessary Social Security benefits as well
• The settlement that has been offered to you does not cover all your needs, such as medical bills, lost wages, and other related expenses.
• Your employer decides to retaliate against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim.
• You need legal guidance in negotiating with the involved insurance companies.
• You were injured by a third party and may be able to seek a personal injury claim on top of your workers’ compensation benefits.
• You are approaching a workers’ compensation hearing.

If any of these conditions are present in your case, the team at Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC is here for you. It is important that you do not wait to contact us, as the clock will start ticking as soon as you are injured. We are here to protect your rights and ensure that all necessary forms of paperwork are correctly filed, all deadlines are met, and evidence is collected to support your claim.

FAQs

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Workers’ Comp Lawyer in Carolina?

In North Carolina, there is no way of offering an exact estimate as to how much it might cost to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer. This is because the final cost analysis of your attorney can be based on a wide range of factors. These factors include the basis on which your attorney charges, the duration and complexity of your case, and the education and skill level of your lawyer.

What Not to Say to a Workman’s Comp Adjuster?

There are several things that you should not say when speaking to a workers’ compensation adjuster. These include making any statements of fault or guilt, telling the adjuster that your injury is not that bad, not discussing your personal medical history without legal guidance, avoiding any kind of speculation regarding your return to work, and not agreeing to be recorded.

What Are the Most Fatal Workplace Accidents in NC?

In 2021, the United States saw a total of 5,190 fatal work injuries resulting from a wide range of accidents in a variety of different injuries. The most fatal workplace accidents involve transportation incidents, falls, slips, or trips, fires and explosions, exposure to harmful environments or substances, violence by humans or animals, and contact with objects or dangerous equipment.

What If My Employer Refuses to Acknowledge My Injury?

If your employer refuses to acknowledge your injury, it is still crucial that you seek the medical attention you need. You should also document everything, including the time and date of your injury, how it occurred, and who might have witnessed it, and speak with an attorney who can help you file a workers’ compensation claim.

Greenville Workers Compensation Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured at your place of work in Greenville, North Carolina, the team at Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC is here for you. We are here to serve men and women across Pitt County, North Carolina, and can even take cases rooted in South Carolina. Contact our offices today to learn more about our legal services, schedule your free, initial consultation, and hire a workers’ compensation lawyer you can trust.

Greenville, NC Workers Compensation Resources

• North Carolina Workers Compensation Laws