Addressing Your Questions About Workers' Compensation
North Carolina workers' compensation law includes many complex provisions that can be difficult to understand. The Charlotte-based attorneys of Grandy & Martin have been representing injured workers for more than 25 years and have an in-depth understanding of the applicable law.
Below are questions that many people have about workers' compensation. To discuss your specific workers' compensation questions, contact us for a free consultation. You will pay nothing unless we win your case.
- Will I lose my job?: If your employer fires or demotes you for filing or pursuing a workers' compensation claim, they will be subject to consequences. Hiring a lawyer can be an important step toward protecting yourself from illegal retaliation.
- What if my injuries were my fault?: As long as you were doing something connected with your job and did not injure yourself on purpose, it typically does not matter who may have been at fault for your injuries.
- What if I did not report my injuries right away?: While you are supposed to file a workers' compensation claim within 30 days and it is best to do so as soon as possible, you may still have a valid claim for up to two years.
- Can I go to my own doctor?: Initially, you will probably need to see a doctor chosen by your employer. Under certain circumstances, you may eventually be able to get treatment from a doctor of your own choice with the assistance of your lawyer.
- What if I flunked the drug test?: Testing positive for drugs does not defeat your workers' compensation claim unless your employer can show that drugs were active in your system and caused your injuries.
- What if my employer says I'm an independent contractor?: Whether you are an independent contractor for purposes of workers' comp depends on the amount of control you have over your work, not what your employer calls you or how you are paid.
- What if my employer doesn't have workers' comp insurance?: Employers with three or more regular employees are required to have workers' comp insurance. If your employer does not, there are several options we can pursue to get you compensated.
- What if I got hurt on the first day of work?: It does not matter how long you have been an employee, as long as you were an employee at the time of your injuries.
Every case is unique, and you cannot rely on what happened to a co-worker or family member to predict what will happen in your case. To discuss your questions with an experienced workers' compensation lawyer, please contact us.
