Understanding Workers Compensation Laws in Raleigh

Workplace injuries affect thousands of people each year, costing American companies over $100 billion annually.

In the Raleigh area of North Carolina, Raleigh worker compensation laws serve as a sort of legal compromise between employee and employer regarding these injuries. By law, employees cannot sue employers for such injuries directly. In return for compensating employees who must miss work or seek medical treatment due to a work-related injury, employers avoid costly lawsuits.

Who qualifies for benefits?

Raleigh worker compensation law relies on no-fault rules that provide benefits regardless of who is responsible for a workplace injury. Exceptions to this rule exist should the employee injure themselves due to drug or alcohol abuse or reckless actions.

Other common exemptions to the law include:

• Employees who self-inflict their injuries
• Employees injured while off duty or engaged in criminal activity

Many state laws also regulate the types of employees who qualify for workers comp benefits. Contact an attorney familiar with Raleigh workers comp law to learn about such restrictions and limitations in North Carolina.

Insurance and Raleigh worker comp law

North Carolina requires employers with 3 or more employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance covers the medical expenses and lost pay of employees injured in accidents while engaged in their jobs.

North Carolina also has laws regarding:

• How much coverage employers must buy
• The percentage of lost wages an employer is obligated to pay
• The length of time an employer must cover an injured employee

Legal methods of acquiring insurance also vary state to state. Some states require employers to purchase workers compensation insurance through a state agency, while others allow it to be purchased from private insurers. Should you ever need to file a workers compensation claim, you and your attorney may need to work with a workers' comp insurance broker to follow procedures and file the correct paperwork.

Many states also offer insurance pools for employers who cannot afford standard workers compensation insurance, such as employers who have a poor safety record or a lengthy history of workers compensation claims. Some state laws also let certain kinds of companies self-insure if they possess sufficient financial resources to cover potential worker’s compensation claims.

Contact a Raleigh workers compensation law attorney

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If you require legal help regarding Raleigh workers compensation laws, contact Levy Law Offices today.