When you sustain an injury on the job, you may feel unprepared to navigate the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim.
Here is an overview of how the process works in North Carolina.
1. Seek medical care
When your employer does not have an on-site health care provider, seek appropriate medical care. This could entail a trip to your family doctor or an emergency room visit, depending upon the severity of your injury. Inform the physician you see that your injury occurred in the course of conducting your work to ensure that the record annotates the reason for your visit.
2. Notify your employer
In some instances, you may not have time to notify your employer of an incident before seeking medical care. If this is the case when you sustain harm, let your manager know as soon as you are able to do so. Within thirty days, you must notify your employer in writing of any work-related injury.
3. File the appropriate paperwork
To apply for workers’ compensation in North Carolina you must complete a form and submit it to the correct commission within two years of the date of injury.
4. Follow the medical advice provided
To maintain workers’ compensation coverage, you would do well to follow your doctor’s advice. If the physician recommends that you refrain from certain activities or perform others, carefully heed that guidance.
Workplace injuries are a serious matter. Follow the applicable steps to put yourself in the most suitable position as your recover from your ailment.
