Did you sustain an injury or illness while on the job in Jacksonville, North Carolina? You may have legal options, such as filing a workers’ compensation claim or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit for additional recovery. Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers can help you find the path that best suits your needs and stand up for your rights from start to finish.
We have 190 years of combined experience and have recovered over $850 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We’re well-equipped to advocate on your behalf, no matter how complicated your case may seem.
Call our Jacksonville workers’ compensation lawyers in North Carolina at 800-525-7111 today for a free initial consultation. You can receive initial legal guidance at no risk.
Injured in Jacksonville? Contact Us Today!
How Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your Workers’ Comp Claim in Jacksonville, NC
Filing a workers’ compensation claim after a job-related injury can involve complex steps. In many situations, you can apply for workers’ comp benefits, but you might also have grounds to file a personal injury suit against a third party. Sorting out these options without professional guidance can be tough, especially when you’re already trying to heal.
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers is a trusted personal injury law firm serving workers throughout North Carolina. Our Jacksonville personal injury attorneys know how to handle the unique hurdles that come with a workplace injury.
Here’s how we can help:
- Investigating your accident and injuries
- Determining your rights and options
- Identifying all liable parties
- Evaluating your damages
- Negotiating a settlement agreement
- Pursuing litigation in court if needed
If you’d like to learn more about how our team can help, call us today in Jacksonville, NC, to schedule a free consultation.
Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina
Most employers in North Carolina have to carry workers’ compensation insurance to protect injured employees. If you’ve been hurt on the job in Jacksonville, you can likely file a claim for benefits. One key element of workers’ comp is that it’s typically a “no-fault” system. That means you can usually collect benefits even if your actions played some role in the accident, with a few exceptions (like intentionally harming yourself or violating safety policies in an extreme way).
Available benefits include medical costs, disability, vocational rehabilitation, and death benefits. However, in many instances, workers’ compensation doesn’t cover the full scope of your losses—particularly non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. That’s why it’s worth exploring whether you have the option to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit.
Filing a Third-Party Personal Injury Lawsuit
If another person or entity (besides your employer) caused or contributed to your workplace injuries, you might be able to file a traditional personal injury lawsuit against them. Doing so can open the door to a broader range of damages, including those for emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Examples of potential third-party claims include:
- Car accidents while on the job: If a negligent driver hits you while you’re out on a work-related errand, you could have a claim against that driver’s insurance company.
- Property owner negligence: If you were hurt at a construction site or other location where a property owner failed to fix hazardous conditions, you might have grounds for a premises liability suit.
- Defective products: Defective machinery, safety equipment, or other faulty products used on the job can lead to a claim against the product’s designer or manufacturer.
Note that in North Carolina, you typically can’t sue your employer if they carry workers’ comp insurance. Third-party suits focus on others who share the blame for the incident. Determining if you have a viable third-party claim isn’t always straightforward, but an experienced attorney can help you review the facts and figure out the best path forward.
How Valuable Is My Jacksonville Workers’ Compensation Claim?
No two workplace injury cases in Jacksonville are the same.
The ultimate value of your workers’ comp claim depends on factors like:
- The nature and severity of your injuries
- Whether you can return to work and, if so, when
- The quality of evidence supporting your position
- The possibility of a third-party lawsuit
- The total cost of your medical care and rehabilitation
Our team at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers can guide you through these considerations. We’ll look at every angle to determine your case’s potential worth. During your free consultation, we can offer a preliminary assessment based on the information you provide.
We’ll Fight for Compensation Based on All of Your On-the-Job Injuries
Job-related incidents can lead to a variety of injuries—some minor and others life-altering. Our attorneys can help you seek the benefits you need, no matter how complex your situation.
We frequently handle cases involving:
- Broken bones
- Whiplash or other soft-tissue injuries
- Back and neck trauma
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Eye injuries
- Nerve damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Knee injuries
- Burns or electrocutions
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Every injury deserves careful attention and fair compensation. If you’ve been harmed in a work setting, contact our firm to learn how we might assist.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Workplace Injury in Jacksonville?
In a typical workers’ compensation claim, your potential benefits mainly address economic losses, such as medical costs and a portion of your lost wages. However, if you can file a third-party claim, you might be able to secure both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include out-of-pocket and financial losses tied directly to your injury, like:
- Medical bills (hospital visits, physical therapy, medications)
- Lost income or reduced earning potential
- Property damage
- Medical equipment or assistive devices
Non-economic damages address intangible harms that affect your daily life:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring or disfigurement
In rare cases, the court may award punitive damages if there’s clear and convincing evidence that a defendant acted in an especially reckless way or intended to cause you harm. The purpose of these damages is to punish severe misconduct and discourage it from happening again.
What If I’m Being Blamed for My Accident in North Carolina?
North Carolina follows a contributory negligence rule. Under this doctrine, if you’re found to be even 1% at fault for your workplace injury in a standard personal injury lawsuit, you may be barred from recovering damages from the other party. That’s a harsh rule compared to some other states.
Workers’ compensation, however, is no-fault. You’re generally entitled to benefits regardless of your own role in the accident, barring a few exceptions (like intoxication on the job). Still, if a third-party lawsuit is on the table, questions about fault will likely come up. Insurance adjusters may try to shift blame to reduce or eliminate the liability of the at-fault party.
That’s where our attorneys make a difference. We’ll push back against these tactics with strong evidence and a clear explanation of how the accident really happened. Having legal representation can help protect you from unfair blame so you maintain every opportunity for full and fair compensation.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Jacksonville?
Most North Carolina workers’ compensation lawyers, including Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, operate on a contingency fee structure. That means you don’t pay anything upfront, nor do you pay by the hour or with a flat fee. We only get paid if we help you recover compensation.
When you sign a contingency fee agreement, you agree that we’ll take a percentage (often around 33%) of any financial award or settlement. This setup aligns our interests with yours: we both want to maximize the value of your claim. Plus, you can rest assured you’re not risking money you can’t afford to lose.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Workers’ Comp Claim in Jacksonville?
In North Carolina, you generally need to give your employer written notice of your injury within 30 days. It’s also prudent to file the official workers’ comp claim with the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) as soon as possible.
If you’re considering a personal injury lawsuit against a third party, you typically have three years from the date of the accident to file. However, each situation is unique, and missing a deadline can jeopardize your case entirely.
Because timing is critical, contacting an attorney promptly is one of the best steps you can take. We’ll make sure all necessary paperwork is submitted on schedule.
Contact Our Jacksonville Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation
Were you injured at work in Jacksonville, North Carolina? Workers’ comp may be available to help you cover medical bills and lost wages. You might also have a valid third-party personal injury claim to recover even more money, depending on your circumstances. Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers is here to guide you through the entire process and provide knowledgeable representation at every turn.
With 190 years of combined experience and more than $850 million recovered for our clients, our Jacksonville workers’ compensation attorneys know how to build a robust case. Call us today for a free consultation and learn more about how we can assist you.