[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/what-to-do-hurt-on-the-job\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/what-to-do-hurt-on-the-job\/","headline":"What to Do If You Get Hurt on the Job in NC","name":"What to Do If You Get Hurt on the Job in NC","description":"Getting hurt at work can be traumatic and stressful. Sometimes, it\u2019s made worse by the realization that it might have been due to your own mistake. The flurry of questions that follow can be overwhelming: \u201cWill I receive any compensation?\u201d \u201cHow will I pay my medical bills?\u201d \u201cWhat if I\u2019m too hurt to return to […]","datePublished":"2023-10-10","dateModified":"2023-10-10","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/author\/wardblacklaw\/#Person","name":"Ward Black Law","url":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/author\/wardblacklaw\/","identifier":10,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ed4d0accdb5c5876562d59b144de2311865aa36149afe6028b75bd28f5a44cb3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ed4d0accdb5c5876562d59b144de2311865aa36149afe6028b75bd28f5a44cb3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Ward Black Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/logo.png","width":116,"height":119}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/nc-workers-comp.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/nc-workers-comp.jpeg","height":600,"width":900},"url":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/what-to-do-hurt-on-the-job\/","about":["Workers' Compensation"],"wordCount":601,"articleBody":"Getting hurt at work can be traumatic and stressful. Sometimes, it\u2019s made worse by the realization that it might have been due to your own mistake. The flurry of questions that follow can be overwhelming: \u201cWill I receive any compensation?\u201d \u201cHow will I pay my medical bills?\u201d \u201cWhat if I\u2019m too hurt to return to work?\u201dFortunately, North Carolina has workers\u2019 compensation laws that offer a safety net even when a work injury might result from something you did wrong. Here\u2019s what you need to know about claiming North Carolina workers\u2019 compensation benefits for a work injury.Workers\u2019 Comp Basics and EligibilityWorkers\u2019 compensation is a no-fault system. In most cases, employees can receive benefits even if they were partly or wholly responsible for their injuries. The system aims to ensure swift financial assistance to injured workers without lengthy legal battles over liability.To be eligible for workers\u2019 compensation in North Carolina:You Must Be an Employee. Not all workers are eligible. Typically, you must be an employee of a company that carries workers\u2019 comp insurance or is legally required to do so. However, some employers mislabel workers as \u201cindependent contractors\u201d when they are actually employees. In those cases, the system looks at the worker\u2019s actual relationship to the employer rather than the label.Your Injury Must Be Work-Related. The injury or illness must be a direct result of performing your job duties or other tasks within the scope of your employment.You Must Report the Injury to Your Employer Promptly. In North Carolina, injured workers must report work injuries to their employers within 30 days.Contributory Negligence and Workers\u2019 Compensation BenefitsNorth Carolina follows a pure contributory negligence doctrine, which is critical in many personal injury claims. If the courts find that a person contributed even slightly to their own injury, judges can bar them from receiving any compensation. It is a harsh standard, as any minor fault on the part of the injured person could negate an otherwise valid claim.When it comes to workers\u2019 compensation, the legal landscape is different. Workers\u2019 compensation operates as a no-fault system. That means even if an employee\u2019s negligence contributes to their injury, they are usually still eligible for benefits. The rationale is based on prioritizing the worker\u2019s health and rehabilitation over assigning blame.When Your Actions May Limit BenefitsEven though negligence rarely plays a role in North Carolina workers\u2019 compensation claims, there are some instances when your actions could limit or eliminate your right to benefits:Intoxication \u2013 No compensation is available if you get hurt as a direct result of intoxication unless your employer or supervisor provided the alcohol or another intoxicating agent. Similarly, you\u2019re ineligible for benefits if you are under the influence of a non-prescription controlled substance.Intentional Harm \u2013 If you intentionally aim to harm yourself or another person, you forfeit your right to claim workers\u2019 compensation benefits.Willful Neglect or Disobedience \u2013 As an employee, you have a duty to follow safety rules and regulations. If you get hurt because of a deliberate failure to use safety equipment or obey a rule, your compensation can decrease by 10 percent. Conversely, if your employer is at fault for willfully breaking safety rules, your available compensation can increase by 10 percent.Talk to Our Experienced Greensboro Workers\u2019 Compensation Attorneys TodayHandling a workers\u2019 compensation claim is challenging, especially when dealing with a painful recovery. But you don\u2019t have to do it alone. Contact the experienced NC workers\u2019 compensation lawyers at Ward Black Law for a free case review to learn how we can make a difference."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What to Do If You Get Hurt on the Job in NC","item":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/what-to-do-hurt-on-the-job\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]