A work-related injury can stop life in its tracks. Medical bills can suddenly start piling up, and you may miss weeks or even months of work – all while you’re still hurting and trying to make sense of a complicated legal system. North Carolina’s workers’ compensation system exists to protect you in exactly this type…
A workers’ comp ghost policy is a type of workers’ compensation insurance policy that covers a business on paper but doesn’t provide any actual benefits. These policies are most common in the construction industry, where contractors often need to show proof of workers’ compensation coverage to win bids or satisfy general contractors’ requirements. In essence, a ghost…
Has a workplace injury left you completely unable to work? Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits exist to help injured workers in North Carolina make ends meet while they focus on recovery, but many workers encounter obstacles when they try to claim them. An experienced workers’ comp attorney at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks can walk…
If you work as a temporary employee through an agency in North Carolina, you face a greater risk of workplace injury than most of your permanently employed peers. Studies consistently show that temporary workers sustain injuries at higher rates than permanent workers, likely due to factors like shorter job tenure and less safety training. Despite…
Social media is a huge part of many people’s lives. But when you’ve been injured at work, your usual social media habits can actually harm your case. Insurers will do everything they can to deny or minimize your claim, including going through your social media platforms to find posts or pictures that make you appear…
If you filed a workers’ compensation claim after getting hurt on the job, you may receive a letter from the adjuster asking you to attend an independent medical examination (IME). You’re probably asking, “What is an IME in workers’ comp?” The request to attend an examination can feel confusing and stressful. You might wonder what…
Are you thinking about taking a trip while recovering from a workplace injury? You may wonder, “Are you allowed to travel while on workers’ compensation?” Even a short vacation could raise questions if it interferes with your treatment or vocational rehabilitation (job search) or appears inconsistent with your medical restrictions and inability to work. Before…
Has your employer told you there’s no job available that matches your work restrictions after an occupational injury? What if your work restrictions are ignored by your employer? Those decisions on the part of the employer affect your workers’ compensation claim. Your entitlement to ongoing medical treatment should not change, but your right to continued…
Workers’ compensation insurance coverage provides paid medical treatment and other benefits to employees who sustain job-related injuries or illnesses. However, employers sometimes dispute valid workplace injury claims. An employer and their workers’ compensation insurance carrier might argue that you had a pre-existing condition and weren’t hurt at work, or that your injuries are less severe…
When you’ve suffered an injury on the job and your workers’ compensation claim has been denied or disputed, the next step may be a hearing before the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC). You may feel intimidated by the prospect of attending your hearing and testifying. However, with preparation, support, and a clear understanding of what’s…
