Being the victim of an on-the-job injury in Huntersville, North Carolina can feel debilitating and humiliating, but help—and hope—is just a phone call or form submission away. Our knowledgeable attorneys will always have your back while we shepherd your case through the legal system. No injury is too major or minor. Talk with an attorney today to learn more about your potential case.
At the Wilder Pantazis Law Group, we’ve helped survivors of workplace accidents and injuries for years, and our attorneys have decades of experience. We can help you tap into a support system that’s helped survivors of workplace injuries in North and South Carolina recover not only financially, but physically and emotionally as well. Our reputation is on the line with every case we take, and we let our case results speak for themselves. People injured on the job in Huntersville know they can count on Wilder-Pantazis Law to help them recover.
Don’t give up hope for your situation. If there is a path to ease your financial distress and secure some form of medical treatment, we can find it. Our clients trust us to find solutions to ease their burden. Our team is very familiar with North and South Carolina’s workers’ comp systems and laws. We know the doctors, administrators, secretaries, insurance company representatives, members of the state workers’ comp boards, and on and on.
We will make certain every “i” is dotted and every “t” is crossed as you pursue your workers’ comp case together. Put your trust in us in your time of greatest need.
Se habla español
Nuestro bufete se especializa en la ley de compensación laboral de Carolina del Norte y Carolina del Sur. Tenemos muchos años de experiencia apoyando a los trabajadores que han sufrido por una lesión de trabajo.
Visit our law firm near Huntersville, NC
Address
3501 Monroe Rd
Charlotte, NC 28205
Call us
(704) 342-2243
Free Consultations
Hours
9:00am - 5:00pm (M-F)
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Our law office is located less than 18 miles from downtown Huntersville, in the Echo Hills area of Charlotte.
- Take I-77 South to I-277.
- Take US-74 East and exit onto Briar Creek Rd.
- Turn left in just under a mile onto Monroe Rd.
- Look for our office on the left-hand side.
Legal advice from an experienced North Carolina lawyer
Fighting for our clients is second nature for our capable staff and attorneys. We believe in going to incredible lengths to make certain our clients are well taken care of. Trust us to take care of you.” – Attorney Beau Wilder
A brief guide to workers’ compensation in Huntersville, NC
When you are seriously injured at work and under immense financial pressure, it’s easy to lose hope and fall into despair. Our attorneys understand the intricacies of workers’ compensation law and we can determine your next best steps. Don’t lose hope.
Huntersville, NC workers’ compensation laws
According to the North Carolina’s Workers’ Compensation Act, any business that employs at least 3 or more employees—even those operating as sole proprietorships, corporations or limited liability companies (LLCs)—must purchase and maintain workers’ compensation insurance.
As is the case with almost any state law, there are a few exceptions to this rule, such as employees of railroads, “casual employees” who are not working in the usual course of trade, business or occupation of the employer, domestic workers directly employed by the household, most farm laborers and federal government employees.
In many of those cases, there are different rules injured workers follow to secure compensation, so it’s doubly important to consult with a knowledgeable work injury attorney right away.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitations is the window of time injured workers have in which to file a workers’ compensation claim. In North Carolina, injured employees have 2 years from the date of the injury to file for workers’ compensation benefits. But—and this is important—employees only have 30 days to notify their employer when they sustain an on-the-job injury.
In other words, don’t procrastinate and hope the injury heals on its own. Any delay whatsoever in filing your claim will be viewed skeptically by the insurance company or your employer. Building a strong case on your behalf takes time and effort. The sooner you can consult with our experienced attorneys about your case, the better.
Types of damages available
There are a variety of ways an injured worker can be compensated for their work-related injury or illness. Here are a few of the most common types of compensation available to most injured workers in Huntersville:
- Lost wages. Employees who qualify for workers’ compensation benefits can expect two-thirds of their average weekly wage, up to a maximum rate that changes regularly based on inflation.
- Medical reimbursement. Qualified employees will have medical expenses and treatments covered, as well as any travel that’s further than 20 miles round trip at the rate of 54 cents per mile (as of 2016).
- Disability. You may be entitled to disability benefits (temporary and permanent, partial and total) if you are unable to heal sufficiently enough to return to work.
- Vocational rehabilitation. If your injury or illness is so debilitating that you can’t return to your old job or are earning less income as a result, you may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services.
- Death benefits. If a loved one passed away due to a fatal workplace accident or job-related illness, then their surviving spouse, children and other family members may have access to wrongful death benefits, including two-thirds of the deceased’s pre-injury average weekly wage for 500 weeks, in addition to funeral and burial expenses totaling up to $10,000.
What to do following a workplace accident in Huntersville, NC
Chances are, it’s obvious when you’re badly injured at work. If your work injury is more than just “mildly uncomfortable,” you should immediately seek emergency medical treatment. However, some work-related injuries, while serious, happen over time from constant repetitive motion and an emergency room visit might not be warranted in those instances. But if you are in immediate distress, don’t hesitate to call 911 or go to the emergency room. Waiting until after work or the weekend to seek help could only further aggravate the situation.
The next step in the process is to report your injury to your boss. Notify your manager or supervisor as soon as possible. Starting a paper trail is also important to secure your workers’ compensation benefits, so it’s preferred that you notify your employer in writing. Telling a coworker about your injury isn’t enough, you must notify someone who is responsible for your employment. If you wait more than 30 days to report your injury to your employer, you could lose out on your ability to receive full benefits.
Next, ask your employer for a list of approved doctors (or “panel of physicians”) that you are allowed to visit. If you refuse to use the doctors or specialists on this list and proceed to use your own doctor, then understand that your employer and their insurance company may use that as an excuse to deny coverage.
Once you retain representation from our firm, our attorneys will ask your employer for copies of all documents they have filed regarding your case or on your behalf, including a written report of the incident. If they will not write one, we can help you complete one. We can also help you correctly complete and submit Form 18 with the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
It’s vital to keep your attorney and employer informed at every step of the process. If your doctor issues a stay-at-home order, excuses you from work or gives restrictions on the type of work you can perform, ask for this in writing and notify your legal counsel immediately. We can verify that your employer’s insurance company has been properly notified and a claim started, and we’ll speak directly with the insurance adjuster to negotiate on your behalf.
Hiring an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in your state ensures you receive proper treatment for your injuries and full compensation for lost wages.
About Huntersville, North Carolina
Huntersville is located in the northern tip of Mecklenburg County, on the border with South Carolina. Due to its close proximity to Charlotte (14 miles), it is considered an extended suburb of that city. Huntersville was originally named “Craighead,” but was later renamed to recognize a local cotton farmer named Robert Boston Hunter. Huntersville has grown in size over the decades as industry expands and the greater Charlotte region grows closer to the town.
Not far from Huntersville is the large man-made Lake Norman, which is popular with boaters and water sports enthusiasts near and far. Beyond the 8 elementary schools, 3 middle schools and 3 high schools, Huntersville also contains Central Piedmont Community College. The town is serviced by several main roadways, including Interstate 77, U.S. Highway 21 and North Carolina Highway 115. I-485 is also accessible. The town of Mooresville, NC is just 12 miles north.
Today, Huntersville is considered the 17th largest municipality in North Carolina, with an estimated 60,000 residents. Thanks to its low crime rate, the town is considered an excellent place to raise a family.
Huntersville is known in NASCAR circles as the base of operations for Joe Gibbs Racing, which runs 4 NASCAR Cup Series teams. As such, there have been a few famous NASCAR drivers from Huntersville—including Jim Vandiver, Blake Koch, Daniel Suarez and Harrison Burton. A few Major League Baseball players have also called Huntersville home, including Ben Shields and Hoyt Wilhelm, as well as professional basketball players Andrea Stinson and Brandyn Curry.
Top employers and industries in Huntersville, NC
One of the largest employers in Huntersville is the public school system, with over 1,000 teachers and administrative staff. The McGuire Nuclear Station employs roughly 1,200 people. Novant Health has about 750 employees, Metrolina Greenhouses and Joe Gibbs Racing employ about 650 each respectively, and Rubbermaid employs 400.
The Pactiv Corporation, which manufactures food packaging products, employs 315 people, GM Financial and Walmart each employ about 300 people, while Forbo Siegling, LCC, a manufacturer of conveyor belts and other plastic belt products, employs 280 workers. SAERTEX USA and Irwin Tools each employ 200 people, and the Town of Huntersville employs just over 100.
Burkert Fluid Controls has 100 people on staff, as does Positec Tool Corporation. Max Daetwyler Corporation, which makes printing accessories, employs roughly 95 people. DM Bowman, Inc., a transportation, warehousing and logistics company, has an estimated 70 people on staff. Southwire employs about 68 workers, while Microban International, an antimicrobial additives and odor control manufacturer, employs around 65 workers. Approximately 61 workers are employed at Keller Technology, a local custom machinery and contract fabrication services provider.
Local resources for Huntersville, NC residents
Official government websites
Local legal resources
Mecklenburg County Courts
832 E Fourth St
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 686-0400
North Carolina Industrial Commission
430 N Salisbury St
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 716-1700
North Carolina Bar Association
8000 Weston Pkwy
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 677-0561
Local community resources
Huntersville Police Department
9630 Julian Clark Ave
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-464-5400
911 (emergency)
Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office
700 E 4th St
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 336-8100
Huntersville Townhall
101 Huntersville-Concord Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078
(704) 875-6541
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library – North County Regional branch
16500 Holly Crest Ln
Huntersville, NC 28078
(704) 416-6000
Hunterville Schools
200 Gilead Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078
(980) 343-3835