Suffering an injury at work can be painful, embarrassing, and result in lifelong medical problems if the injury is particularly severe. North Carolina requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover employees in the event of a workplace accident. If you are injured at work, it’s important that you know how your company’s workers’ comp insurance works and how to apply. A Huntersville workers’ compensation lawyer can help with your case.
The legal team at Grimes Yeoman, PLLC, is prepared to help you work through your workers’ compensation case and secure what you need. North Carolina’s workers’ compensation laws can be difficult to work through, especially if you are also trying to recover from your injury at the same time. A helpful North Carolina workers’ compensation attorney can make a difference. Elizabeth G. Grimes is a member of and recognized by the Top 25 Workers Compensation National Trial Lawyers. Membership in this peer group is not a guarentee of outcome in your workers compensation claim, but it is an association of attorneys experienced in handling workers compensation claims. See https://thewctla.org/.
Grimes Yeoman, PLLC, has been honored by Best Lawyers as one of the most respected personal injury litigation firms in the country. While recognition by our peers through Best Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell, and recognition of Elizabeth Grimes as Lawyer of the Year for 2026 are not a guarantee of your case’s success, it still demonstrates our determination, commitment, and experience in cases just like yours. We can bring these elements to your case and make sure you are not taken advantage of by your employer.
If you hire a workers’ comp lawyer in Huntersville and pursue damages from your employer, your case will be adjudicated and handled by the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC), not the traditional county court system. NCIS effectively acts as an administrative court. Hearings occur throughout the state, but the agency itself is based in Raleigh. In 2024, there were 64,200 nonfatal work injuries and illnesses reported throughout North Carolina.
It’s important that you understand the most vital steps in the workers’ comp claims process. Missing any of the steps could result in your claim being denied or make it take longer to process. It may be necessary to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer to help you avoid any costly mistakes. They can help start your claim by following key steps in the process.
The very first thing you need to do is report the injury to your employer. You need to tell them everything that happened within 30 days of the accident, and you need to do so in writing. Even though you have 30 days to do this, it’s recommended that you contact them as soon as possible to avoid delays with your eventual claim. Additionally, it is critical to timely file a Form 18, Notice of Accident to Employer, with the NCIC. Failure to do this may result in your claim being barred. Additionally, note that workers compensation claims have a two year (2) statute of limitations.
Make sure you prioritize your health and safety. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. You will need to be seen by a medical professional who is authorized by your employer or their insurance company. If your job has a healthcare professional on-site, that will work fine. If your company doesn’t have a designated healthcare provider, seek out any healthcare that’s appropriate for your needs. Ultimately, if your workers compensation claim is accepted, the workers compensation insurance carrier must authorize your treatment with approved medical providers.
One of the most important steps of the workers’ comp claims process is following your doctor’s treatment plan. Even if you don’t feel like you’re in pain, follow the plan. Failure to follow the plan could result in your employer’s insurance company denying your claim because you don’t appear to be as injured as you claim. You don’t want that to happen.
To initiate your claim, you need to file Form 18 with the NCIC within two years of your injury. The sooner you file this form, the sooner your claim will start processing. See: https://www.ic.nc.gov/forms/form18_724.pdf. Your lawyer can help you fill out this form. In response, your employer must file Form 19 with the NCIC and their workers’ comp insurance provider.
The insurance company will then have 14 days to investigate your accident, your injury, and your current state. It’s entirely possible that there will not be any issues, and your claim will proceed without any complications. However, if they deny your claim, you will need to request a hearing, a Form 33, with the NCIC for the NCIC to decide the dispute. See https://www.ic.nc.gov/forms/form33_7.2025.pdf. Having an experienced attorney like Grimes Yeoman assist with preparing and filing your Form 33 Request for a Hearing is helpful.
If you are approved, your medical care will likely be covered. If you’re out of work for longer than a week, you may receive weekly wage replacement benefits, especially if you qualify for total disability under the state’s Workers’ Compensation Act.
In North Carolina, workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning employees will receive benefits regardless of who caused the accident in the first place. Businesses with more than three employees are required to carry workers’ comp insurance to protect employees in the event of injury or illness on company property. Injured employees must report accidents to their employer and the NCIC within 30 days. It is very important to give verbal and written notice of your accident to a supervisor as soon as possible to avoid any dispute of your accident actually happening.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can be covered under workers’ compensation insurance in North Carolina if it was caused by a traumatic injury by accident or if it qualifies as an occupational disease. To be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits as an occupational disease, you need to prove that the condition was caused by repetitive motion directly related to your job duties, as opposed to non-work activities. Additonally, you must show your employment placed you at greater risk of developing carpal tunnel disease as compared to the general public. This relationship is typically established by medical evidence.
To recover workers’ compensation in North Carolina, you must be an employee rather than an independent contractor, and generally your employer must employ three or more people. Your injury or illness must qualify as a covered accident or occupational disease, and the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act applies different qualifying factors depending on the type of injury or illness. You should report the accident or illness to your employer, and while reporting late will rarely bar your claim by itself, it could create credibility issues by delaying. Also, you must file a Form 18 Notice of Accident with the NCIC within 2 years of the accident or the discovery of the occupational disease to preserve your claim.
You should hire a workers’ compensation lawyer to help you through your case. If you have clear-cut evidence of your accident and you report it the right way, your benefits may be approved without much issue. However, the process may not be as straightforward as you expect, and having a skilled lawyer in your corner can help you secure your benefits.
At Grimes Yeoman, PLLC, we can help you determine the right course of action for your case. We recognize how important work is to support you and your family, and the major impacts a workplace injury can have in disrupting your ability to earn a proper wage. Our team can help you pursue financial recovery. Contact us today and let us put our knowledge and experience on your side.
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