Workplace Injury Attorneys in North Carolina

Identifying Common Job-Related Accidents and Injuries

Workers across all industries face certain risks while on the job. While some workers—such as construction workers—face inherently more risk due to the relatively dangerous nature of their jobs, any worker can become injured or fall ill due to work-related factors.

Some of the most common workplace accidents and injuries include:

A workplace accident can result in head injuries, back injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, organ damage, burns, and brain injuries, which can require months of recovery and may even leave you with permanent disabilities and disfigurement.

When you can no longer earn a living and are faced with mounting medical bills and injury-related expenses, compensation can be crucial to helping you avoid financial hardships. Our firm can compile the documentation and medical evidence needed for your claim.

Our North Carolina workplace accident attorneys can pursue the maximum amount of benefits/compensation that you are entitled to, whether through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance or a third-party personal injury claim.

Where Do Workplace Accidents Occur?

Workplace accidents can occur across various industries, but some sectors are more prone to them due to the nature of the work involved. Here are some of the most common industries where workplace accidents occur:

• Construction: Construction sites are known for their hazards such as falls from heights, electrocutions, being struck by objects, and accidents involving heavy machinery.
• Manufacturing: Factories and manufacturing plants have machinery and equipment that can cause injuries such as caught-in/between accidents, repetitive strain injuries, and exposure to harmful substances.
• Transportation: This includes accidents involving vehicles such as trucks, cars, and forklifts. Workers in transportation may also face risks from lifting heavy loads and slips/falls.
• Agriculture: Farming involves heavy machinery, exposure to chemicals, and potential injuries from working with livestock. Accidents can include machinery-related injuries, falls, and exposure to toxic substances.
• Healthcare: Hospitals and healthcare facilities have a high incidence of workplace accidents, including needle sticks, slips/falls, and overexertion from lifting patients.
• Mining: The mining industry involves working in challenging environments with heavy machinery, explosives, and risks of cave-ins or collapses.
• Oil and Gas: This industry involves working with heavy equipment, flammable materials, and in remote locations, leading to risks such as fires, explosions, and chemical exposures.
• Warehousing and Logistics: Workers in warehouses face risks from operating heavy equipment like forklifts, handling materials, and slips/falls from elevated surfaces.
• Retail: Despite being less hazardous compared to other industries, retail workers can still face injuries from lifting heavy items, slips/falls, and workplace violence.
• Utilities: Workers in utilities (electricity, water, telecommunications) face risks such as electrical shocks, falls from heights, and injuries related to maintenance activities.

Recovering Damages from a Workplace Accident in NC

In North Carolina, if you experience a workplace accident, there are different types of compensation you may be able to recover, depending on the circumstances of the accident and the parties involved. Here are the main types:

• Workers’ Compensation Benefits:  Workers’ compensation is a system designed to provide financial and medical benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. It aims to protect both employees, by ensuring they receive compensation regardless of fault, and employers, by limiting their liability for workplace injuries through a no-fault insurance system. In North Carolina, as in most states, workers’ compensation is a statutory program governed by specific laws and regulations.
• Third-Party Claims: If your injury was caused by someone other than your employer or a co-worker (e.g., a contractor, subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, etc.), you may have a third-party claim against that party. This allows you to seek additional compensation beyond workers’ compensation benefits, such as pain and suffering damages, lost earning capacity, and other economic losses not covered by workers’ comp.
• Defective Products: If your injury was caused by a defective product (e.g., faulty machinery, defective safety equipment), you may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer or seller of the product. This could entitle you to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages caused by the defective product.
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): If your workplace injury or illness is severe and expected to last a year or more (or result in death), you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits through the federal SSDI program. These benefits provide income support to individuals who are disabled and unable to work.
• Employer Liability Lawsuits: In rare cases, if your employer’s actions were intentional or particularly egregious (not covered by workers’ comp immunity), you may be able to file a lawsuit directly against your employer for additional damages. However, North Carolina generally limits lawsuits against employers due to the exclusivity of workers’ compensation benefits.

Navigating the complexities of these different types of compensation can be challenging. Our team of experienced attorneys can assess your case, determine all potential avenues of recovery, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve after a workplace accident.

Guidance After a North Carolina Workplace Accident