Talk with a knowledgeable attorney near Monroe to learn about your workers’ compensation benefits.
Suffering a workplace injury can not only be physically debilitating but mentally and financially devastating as well. Sometimes the incident is sudden—one moment you’re doing your job when a forklift runs over your foot, or you twist funny and your back gives out. Other times the injury is sustained over years of repetitive motion. No one expects or wants their working life and career to be cut short unexpectedly.
Here at Wilder Pantazis Law Group, we know you are hurting and longing for life to return to normal. That’s why we will bring decades of legal experience to bear on your behalf so that we can work to secure every benefit you’ve worked a lifetime to earn. North Carolina workers’ compensation law is complex, but with us working on your behalf you’re more likely to secure a better, more positive outcome.
Our Monroe workers’ compensation attorneys understand the law inside and out, and we know how to leverage local statutes to benefit our clients. A serious work-related injury can change your life forever—and even end it. Contact our North Carolina attorneys today to talk about your options. Your first consultation is free and we don’t collect a dime until you do. When experience counts, you can count on us.
Visit our law firm near Monroe, 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 firm is located less than 25 miles from downtown Monroe, in the Echo Hills neighborhood of Charlotte. To visit our office, take US-74 W/E Independence Blvd to exit 245A (Wendover Road). Turn right at Monroe Road and look for our office on the right hand side.
Get legal advice from a top-rated North Carolina lawyer
Every client who comes through our doors is treated like family, and we take pride in understanding your unique story and concerns. We work every day to make our clients’ lives better, to help them recover in all aspects of their lives – financially, emotionally and physically.” – Attorney Beau Wilder
What you should know about workers’ compensation in Monroe, NC
Just because compensation laws exist for North Carolina workers, doesn’t mean that they are easy to understand or access in the event of a work-related injury. Insurers and companies often try to deny or reduce an injured worker’s benefits by claiming some exemption or taking advantage of a legal loophole. By having a knowledgeable attorney on your side, we can ensure that your rights are protected from the start.
Monroe workers’ comp laws
According to North Carolina’s Workers’ Compensation Act, any business that employs 3 or more employees—even those operating as sole proprietorships, corporations or limited liability companies—must purchase and carry workers’ compensation insurance at all times.
There are only a few exceptions to this rule, such as employees of certain 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.
No-fault system and exclusive remedy
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system in North Carolina, meaning that it doesn’t matter who or what caused the work-related injury, accident or illness. As long as it occurred in the course and scope of your employment, it should be covered by workers’ comp. Even if you made a mistake that led to your own injury, benefits should be owed to you.
Because workers’ comp is a no-fault system, it’s considered an “exclusive remedy” for injured workers. This means that you typically cannot sue your employer if workers’ compensation benefits are available. There are some rare exceptions, but you’ll need to speak with a lawyer to determine your options.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitations for workers’ compensation claims is the same in both North and South Carolina. Injured workers have 2 years from the date of the injury to file for workers’ compensation benefits, but only 30 days to notify their employer when they sustain an on-the-job injury.
Any delay whatsoever can be cause for the insurance company or your employer to deny or dispute your work injury claim. In addition, 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 compensation available
There are a number of ways an injured worker can be compensated for their work-related injury or illness. A few of the most common include:
- Lost wages. Employees who qualify for workers’ compensation benefits can expect two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a state-set maximum weekly rate that changes based on inflation.
- Medical bills. 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 benefits. You may be entitled to permanent disability benefits (financial and medical) if you are unable to heal sufficiently enough to return to work.
It’s worth noting that compensation for pain and suffering generally isn’t covered under workers’ comp in North Carolina unless you’re able to sue your employer or a third party for negligence. Talk to our attorneys as soon as possible to learn about your options.
What to do after a workplace accident in Monroe (8 steps)
- Seek medical attention. The first step to take is to seek medical treatment (if it is warranted). Some workplace injuries occur over time from constant repetitive motion and you might not require an emergency doctor’s visit. But if you are in immediate distress and serious pain, call 911.
- Notify your employer (in writing). Next, report your injury to your manager or supervisor. Starting a paper trail is key to securing your workers’ compensation benefits, so put the notification in writing. Simply telling a coworker about the injury isn’t enough. If you wait more than 30 days to report the injury, you could lose out on the ability to receive full benefits.
- Visit an approved doctor. Get a list of approved doctors (or “panel of physicians”) from your employer to find out what doctors you are allowed to visit. If you balk at using the doctors or specialists on the list and proceed to use your own doctor, then your employer and their insurance company may use that as an excuse to deny you workers’ comp benefits.
- Submit a claim. Print Form 18 at the North Carolina Industrial Commission and submit the completed form to forms@ic.nc.gov. (Further details and a step-by-step description of the process necessary to complete can be found here.)
- Document the claim. Ask your employer for copies of all documents they have filed regarding your case or on your behalf. Make certain you’ve made a copy of Form 18 and ask your supervisor or manager for a written report on the incident. If they will not write one, you should.
- Update your employer. Keep your employer in the loop 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 manager immediately.
- Check with the insurance company. Verify that your employer’s insurance company has been notified and your claim has been started. Get the name and phone number of the insurance company from whoever handles your workplace HR office and, if possible, learn the name of the person who will be handling your claim. This person is the adjuster, and you are allowed to speak directly with that person.
If for some reason you are unable to learn the name of your company’s insurer, call the North Carolina Industrial Commission at 1-800-688-8349 for help—or (888) 891-4895 for Insurance Compliance. They can provide you the name of your company’s insurance company, and then you can then alert the insurance company of your injury yourself.
- Consult an attorney. Finally, it’s highly recommended that you speak with an attorney about your injuries and situation. Many attorneys charge no fees until they’ve helped you recover the full workers’ compensation benefits you are entitled to. Here at Wilder Pantazis Law Group, initial consultations are free too! We’ve helped thousands of injured workers overcome a variety of injuries and obstacles so that you can recover physically and financially.
Hiring an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in your state ensures you receive proper treatment for your injuries and full compensation for lost wages.
About Monroe, North Carolina
As you might suspect, Monroe earned its name from America’s fifth president, James Monroe, and it was founded as a planned settlement. The small town first appeared on maps in 1843 and served as a trading center in the Piedmont region for tobacco and other agricultural products. Monroe is located along the Catawba River, close to the South Carolina border.
About 200 people were residents around the time of the town’s founding. Since then, the population has never contracted. Census records show near-constant growth over the decades, from 2,500 residents in 1900 to more than 10,000 in 1950. Today, more than 35,000 people call Monroe home.
A few famous people who called Monroe home include civil rights activist and Marine veteran Robert F. Williams, NASCAR driver Speedy Thompson, Emmy-award winning recording artist David L. Cook and U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, Jr.
Top employers and industries in Monroe, NC
Monroe and Union County are known for having a high concentration of aerospace companies, which, according to the city website, encompasses at least 19 companies within a 7-mile radius. Farming is also a big part of the local economy as the production of corn and soybeans reigns supreme. Monroe also has several prominent colleges in the area, including South Piedmont Community College, Wingate University and a branch of UNC-Charlotte. Ludwig Drums have been manufactured in Monroe since 1984.
Many workers commute from Monroe into Charlotte—about a 25-minute drive—for jobs in the banking industry, where Wachovia and BankAmerica have headquarters, as does steel manufacturer Nucor and Lowe’s.
Other large employers in Union County include Tyson Foods, ATI Specialty Materials, Union County Government and Schools, Pilgrim’s Pride, Atrium Health, Food Lion, Windsor Window Company, 3M, CR England, McGee Brothers Construction, Greiner Bio-One, True Homes Construction, Edwards Wood Products and Decore-ative Specialties manufacturing.
Local resources for Monroe, NC residents
Official government websites
Local legal resources
Union County Judicial Center
400 N Main St
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 698-3100
Union County Clerk of Courts
Union County Government Center
500 N Main St
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 283-3500
Monroe City Attorney
300 W Crowell St
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 282-4500
North Carolina Industrial Commission
430 N Salisbury St
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 716-1700
North Carolina State Bar
217 E Edenton St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 828-4620
Local community resources
City of Monroe Police Department
218 E Franklin St
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 282-4728
Union County Sheriff’s Office
3344 Presson Rd
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 283-3789
JAIL: (704) 292-2600
Union County Public Schools
400 N Church St
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 296-9898
Union County Public Library (Monroe branch)
316 E Windsor St
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 283-8184
Monroe City Manager (City Hall)
300 W Crowell St
Monroe, NC 28112
(704) 282-4500