Were you recently injured while working in Charlotte, North Carolina? Are you struggling to make ends meet because of rising medical costs and a sudden loss of income? Call Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers. Workers’ compensation benefits can be a lifeline to keep you afloat during this stressful time. Our experienced Charlotte workers’ compensation lawyers can fight to get the maximum benefits to which you’re entitled under North Carolina state law.
For more than 40 years, Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers has been a trusted legal advocate for injured workers in Charlotte. Backed by 190 years of combined legal experience, our award-winning North Carolina trial attorneys have established an unrivaled ability to win tough cases and secure top-tier results. Those results total more than $850 million in compensation for deserving clients just like you.
Discover why we’re one of the state’s highest-rated personal injury law firms by contacting our Charlotte law office for help today at 800-525-7111. There’s no charge for an initial case review.
How Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers Can Help You Maximize Your Claim for Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Charlotte, NC
Workers’ compensation can help to mitigate a lot of the stress you experience when you’re injured on the job in Charlotte, NC. However, the claims process isn’t without its challenges. One of the best things you can do to increase the odds of a successful result is to hire an experienced Charlotte personal injury lawyer to handle your claim for workers’ compensation benefits.
Choosing Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers doesn’t just level the playing field - it gives you an undeniable advantage. We’re recognized for excellence in civil litigation by Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and Martindale-Hubbell. As passionate legal advocates for North Carolina’s injury victims, we’ve secured hundreds of millions of dollars in financial awards, including countless million-dollar and multi-million-dollar recoveries.
When you turn to us for assistance with your workers’ compensation claim, you’ll be able to count on us to invest our considerable experience, resources, and passion into your case.
We will:
- Take charge of your legal claim, giving you the much-needed opportunity to focus on your recovery
- Investigate your case to understand how and why you were injured on the job
- Gather evidence to prove your injuries, costs, and status as an employee
- Make sure your employer is aware of your injuries and intent to file a claim for benefits
- Help you obtain an Independent Medical Evaluation (IME), if necessary, to resolve disputes regarding the extent of your injuries or disability
- Hire expert witnesses - including medical professionals and vocational rehabilitation specialists - to collaborate with our legal team
- Represent you during all claim-related conversations, negotiations, hearings, and/or appeals when necessary
Don’t settle for less than your workers’ compensation case is worth. Demand top results by trusting our Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys to fight for you. We offer a free case review, so contact our Charlotte law office for assistance today.
Injured in Charlotte? Contact Us Today!
Understanding North Carolina’s Workers’ Compensation System
Workers’ compensation is a private insurance system that allows some workers to pursue economic benefits when they suffer work-related injuries or are diagnosed with an occupational disease. It’s an alternative to North Carolina’s civil tort system, through which injury victims can seek monetary damages through the courts.
The state’s workers’ compensation system can help workers recover compensation more swiftly than through a personal injury lawsuit, thereby limiting the dire financial consequences of a job-related injury or illness. In North Carolina, most employers with at least three employees - full-time, part-time, and/or seasonal - must maintain a workers’ compensation insurance policy.
How Do I Know if I Qualify for Workers’ Compensation?
Not everyone qualifies for workers’ compensation benefits. You might qualify if you satisfy the following requirements:
- You work for an employer that’s required to carry workers’ compensation
- You suffer injuries in the course of your employer and
- You’re an employee, not an independent contractor.
You don’t have to be on your employer’s premises when you get hurt to qualify for benefits. You can qualify as long as your injuries are directly related to the execution of tasks or responsibilities expected of you within your position within the company.
For instance, you might qualify for benefits if you’re injured in a car accident or truck accident at work, but not if you’re in a crash while commuting to or from your place of employment.
What If I’m Partially to Blame for My Workplace Injuries?
Workers’ compensation is a private, no-fault system. So, North Carolina’s harsh contributory negligence law won’t affect your right to recover benefits, even if you share responsibility for your workplace injuries. However, shared fault will be a factor if and when you decide to file a related personal injury lawsuit to recover additional compensation for your workplace injuries. In those situations, sharing any degree of fault will be a complete and total bar to recovery.
Can I Sue My Employer and Still Get Workers’ Compensation?
No. Barring a few limited exceptions, you cannot sue your employer and recover workers’ compensation benefits. North Carolina’s no-fault system doesn’t just apply to workers - it protects employers, too. In exchange for an accelerated path to benefits regardless of fault, you waive your right to sue your employer for more money.
What Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits Can I Recover After an On-The-Job Injury in Charlotte?
Workers’ compensation offers a variety of economic benefits to help workers navigate the financial complications of getting hurt on the job in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Medical Expenses
Your employer’s insurance company should cover all costs of reasonable and necessary medical care, including:
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Medication
- Diagnostic tests
- Medical devices
- Medical equipment
- Rehabilitation
- Chiropractic care
- Follow-up treatment
Ultimately, any costs related to your course of treatment should be covered. However, you have to receive care from medical providers who’ve been approved by the insurance company. This limits your ability to choose your doctors or have a say in your overall course of treatment.
Temporary Total Disability
If you’re unable to work for more than one week, you can potentially qualify for Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits. TTD benefits equal two-thirds of your average weekly wage, which is computed using your pre-injury wages. Benefits can be paid for up to 500 weeks.
However, all indemnity benefits, including those for Temporary Total Disability, are subject to statutory caps. For 2025, the maximum weekly TTD benefit is $1,380.00.
Temporary Partial Disability
Sometimes, an injury might interfere with your ability to work at full capacity but not sideline you entirely. In these situations, you might qualify for Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits, which are designed to bridge the gap between your pre-injury and post-injury income. TPD benefits equal two-thirds of the difference between what you earned before you got hurt and what you’re capable of earning now.
Permanent Partial Disability
When an injury results in a permanent impairment or loss of the use of part of your body, you can potentially qualify for Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits. Benefits depend on the type of loss you’ve experienced. The state has a list of scheduled losses that lists the duration for which wage benefits can be paid.
For instance, you can receive PPD for 144 weeks if you lose your foot in a work-related accident, while the loss of a great toe can make you eligible for PPD benefits for up to 35 weeks.
Permanent Total Disability
If your injuries are so severe that you can’t return to work at all, you may qualify for Permanent Total Disability (PTD) benefits. You might qualify for PTD benefits if you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury that’s caused quadriplegia, loss of two limbs, a severe traumatic brain injury, or severe burns covering more than one-third of your body.
How Long Will I Have To Request Workers’ Compensation Benefits if I Suffer a Workplace Injury in North Carolina?
Whether you were injured in a slip and fall accident, got sick from toxic exposure in the workplace, or another type of workplace accident in Charlotte, you’ll have a limited time to request workers’ compensation benefits from your employer.
You have 30 days to tell your employer that you’ve been injured or diagnosed with a work-related illness. Then, you’ll have two years from the date of that injury or diagnosis to formally pursue benefits. You have to file your claim within the time frame set by the statute of limitations. If you miss the deadline, you lose the ability to receive benefits needed to cover your medical bills and lost wages.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Trusted Charlotte Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Workers’ compensation benefits can be a huge help when you’re recovering from a workplace accident or injury in Charlotte, North Carolina. At the same time, your employer’s insurance company won’t just give you the maximum benefits you deserve. You’ll have to fight for them. Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers can help.
Our Charlotte workers’ compensation lawyers have over 190 years of collective experience litigating tough injury claims like yours. The case results we’ve achieved include more than $850 million in damages - including countless multimillion-dollar recoveries.
Trust us to do everything we can to get you maximum compensation, too. There’s no charge for your initial case review. Contact us to schedule a time to discuss your workers’ compensation case today.