Winston-Salem Workers' Compensation Lawyer
At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we know a workplace injury in Winston-Salem can leave you facing medical bills, lost income, and hard questions about what comes next. If you were hurt on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, and in some cases, a separate personal injury lawsuit against a third party. Our Winston-Salem workers’ compensation lawyers bring 171 years of combined experience and more than $900 million recovered for clients since 2000 (see disclaimer below) to every claim we handle. Call (336) 516-9042 or contact today to schedule your free case review.
How Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your Workers’ Comp Claim in Winston-Salem
Filing a workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina is rarely as simple as it sounds. Insurance companies delay or deny claims, employers dispute how an injury happened, and workers eligible for a third-party lawsuit need someone who knows how to build that case alongside a workers’ comp claim.
Our Winston-Salem personal injury lawyers investigate the cause of your accident, gather medical records and other evidence, and calculate the full value of your benefits and any additional damages. When a third-party claim is available, we identify it early, file your claim or appeal, and represent you before the North Carolina Industrial Commission or in court.
Why Choose Riddle & Riddle for Your Winston-Salem Workers’ Comp Case
When you hire our firm, you get more than decades of experience. Attorney Adam Smith holds the North Carolina State Bar’s Board-Certified Specialist credential in Workers’ Compensation Law, awarded to attorneys who meet the Bar’s criteria for advanced knowledge in this practice area. He draws on that insider knowledge of how the North Carolina Industrial Commission evaluates claims to push back against denials and lowball offers.
Managing partner Gene Riddle’s roots in Winston-Salem run deeper than an office location. He earned his law degree at Wake Forest University School of Law, right here in Winston-Salem, according to the law school’s own 2025 alumni spotlight.
Video Transcript
We value honesty and truthfulness. It is very important that we tell clients what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. The most important thing we do for clients is we give them an honest opinion on the value of their case. Whether it’s a million dollar, $10 million, or $20,000, we tell them after review of their case what we think the case is worth. Of course, the client’s opinion is most important to us and we listen to our clients. It’s a family value because in our family, we value honesty, truthfulness, integrity, morals, and ethics. And we have those at Riddle and Riddle.
Workers’ Compensation in North Carolina: How It Works
Most employers in North Carolina must carry workers’ compensation insurance once they have three or more employees, whether they run a hospital, a manufacturing plant, or a small logistics company. Coverage generally applies regardless of who caused your accident, with narrow exceptions for intoxication or an intentionally self-inflicted injury.
The N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 97 (Workers’ Compensation Act) sets out several categories of benefits available to injured workers, including:
- Medical care for all reasonable and necessary treatment tied to the injury.
- Temporary total disability, which replaces a portion of your wages while you cannot work at all.
- Temporary partial disability, available if you return to work in a reduced role.
- Permanent partial disability for lasting impairment to a specific body part.
- Permanent total disability if you cannot return to any work.
- Death benefits for surviving family members.
Wage-replacement benefits currently equal 66 2/3% of your average weekly wage, up to a cap the state adjusts annually.
Can I File a Lawsuit After a Workplace Injury? Third-Party Claims Explained
In most cases, workers’ compensation is your only option for recovering money after a workplace injury, since North Carolina law generally bars employees from suing their own employer. A third-party claim is different. If someone other than your employer caused or contributed to your injury, such as a negligent subcontractor, a careless driver, or a manufacturer whose defective product hurt you, you may file a separate personal injury lawsuit against them.
A third-party lawsuit can recover money that workers’ compensation claims do not cover, including pain and suffering and your full lost wages, rather than a percentage of them. Our team reviews every workers’ comp case for a possible third-party angle, because identifying it early can significantly change what you ultimately recover.
Case Study: $1.7M Workers’ Comp Win After a Denied Claim Went to Trial
One of our clients, a laborer, lost part of his leg in a workplace accident. The insurance company denied his workers’ comp claim, arguing his diabetes, not the accident, caused his injuries. Their initial offer was just $5,000.
We refused to accept that number. When mediation reached an impasse, we took the case to trial. A second, post-trial mediation session ultimately secured a combined settlement of $1,700,000, covering a lump sum, an annuity, and outstanding medical bills (see disclaimer below).
What Our Winston-Salem Workers’ Comp Clients Say
Clients who trust us with their workers’ comp claims consistently point to the same thing: our compassion during a difficult time. Client C. Schaeffer put it this way after resolving a workers’ compensation claim with our team:
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers law firm for their representation in my workers' compensation claim. The compassion they have for the problems that you have and what you're going through on a daily basis when out of work and being treated is astronomical.
— C. Schaeffer
What Is My Workers’ Comp Claim in Winston-Salem Worth?
Every workers’ comp claim is different, and the value of yours depends on your specific circumstances rather than a fixed formula. Factors that can affect what your claim is worth include:
- The type and severity of your injury.
- Whether your disability is temporary or permanent.
- How long you are unable to work.
- Your average weekly wage before the injury.
- Whether you can return to your previous job or any job at all.
- Whether a third-party claim is available alongside your workers’ comp benefits.
We walk through each of these factors with you so you understand what you may be entitled to and how a potential third-party claim could add to that recovery.
Common Workplace Injuries in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County
Winston-Salem’s economy runs on more than one industry, and workplace injuries here reflect that mix. Advanced manufacturing and biotech workers in the Innovation Quarter face risks of equipment and chemical exposure, while healthcare workers at major systems like Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center often develop back and shoulder injuries from patient handling and repetitive lifting.
Some of the workplace personal injuries we see most often in Forsyth County include:
- Back injuries, from herniated discs to soft-tissue strains caused by heavy lifting.
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions from falls or falling objects.
- Burns from industrial equipment or exposure to chemicals.
- Amputations and crush injuries involving machinery.
- Repetitive strain injuries common among healthcare and manufacturing workers.
Whatever your injury, our attorneys can help you pursue the full benefits available to you.
Free Case Review
If you’ve been involved in a workplace incident, it’s crucial to understand your rights. Riddle & Riddle is here to guide you through the process and help you secure the compensation you deserve.
What If I’m Blamed for My Workplace Accident in North Carolina?
Being blamed for your own accident affects workers’ comp and a third-party lawsuit very differently.
Workers’ Comp Is a No-Fault System
North Carolina workers’ compensation generally pays regardless of who caused the accident. You can still receive benefits even if you made a mistake that contributed to your injury. The main exceptions are narrow, covering situations like intoxication on the job or an injury you caused intentionally to hurt yourself.
North Carolina’s Contributory Negligence Rule for Third-Party Lawsuits
A third-party lawsuit works differently. North Carolina follows a strict contributory negligence rule, meaning that if you are found even 1% at fault for the accident, you can be completely barred from recovering any compensation. Insurance companies know this and often try to shift blame onto injured workers. Our attorneys push back against that tactic and build the strongest possible case for your third-party claim.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Winston-Salem Workers’ Comp Lawyer?
We work on a contingency fee basis, so there is no upfront cost to hire us and no fee unless we recover money for you. North Carolina Industrial Commission workers’ comp attorney fees are customarily capped at 25% of your recovery and must be approved by the Commission under N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-90.
A contingency fee means anyone can afford quality legal representation after a workplace injury, regardless of their financial situation. It also means we are only paid when you are paid, so we stay motivated to pursue every dollar of compensation available to you.
Video Transcript
Most people are hesitant to hire a lawyer because they don’t think they can afford one. They think they have to pay fees upfront. We don’t work that way. We work on a contingency basis. Here’s what we do. We give you a free case review. So, your call is free and we don’t charge a fee and no cost unless we win your case. So, give us a call. You can contact us by phone, text, online, or through email. We’ll even come to you. Give us a call today for a free case review.
How Long Do I Have to File a Workers’ Comp Claim in North Carolina?
North Carolina imposes strict deadlines on workers’ comp and third-party claims alike. You must notify your employer of your injury within 30 days of the accident, according to the North Carolina Industrial Commission. From there, you generally have two years to file a workers’ compensation claim with the Commission.
If you also have a statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit against a third party, that deadline is generally three years from the date of your injury. These deadlines are strict, with only narrow exceptions, so missing one can permanently bar your claim.
Contact Our Winston-Salem Workers’ Compensation Lawyers for a Free Case Review
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers has 171 years of combined experience and has recovered more than $900 million for clients since 2000 (see disclaimer below). Winston-Salem clients rate us 5.0 stars across 43 Google reviews, and our Winston-Salem office is available by appointment only.
You do not need an in-person meeting to get started. We offer phone, email, text, and video consultations at no cost to you. Call (336) 516-9042 or contact us online today for your free workers’ comp case review.