Responsibility for claiming compensation is on the injured employee. You must report the accident when it occurs within 30 days or the employer may refuse compensation. With reference to occupational disease, an employee must give notice to the employer when a competent medical authority of the nature and work-related cause of the illness first inform the employee. A claim must be filed with the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) by either the employee or the employer within two years from the date or knowledge thereof; otherwise the claim is barred by law.

You are responsible to accept the medical treatment provided by the employer. The employer should provide medical treatment for the injury or refer you to a specific physician. If the employer fails to provide the necessary medical treatment or physician referral for the injury, you may obtain the necessary treatment from a physician or hospital of your own choice. State agencies have specific procedures for their employees to follow for the treatment of injuries, such as in-house treatment or a predetermined list of physicians for you to visit. If your agency has specific treatment procedures you should follow their guidelines. Once the initial treating physician is established you cannot change treating physicians for the injury unless the employer or the NCIC approves a referral.

NORTH CAROLINA Workers’ Compensation State law denies compensation benefits if intoxication causes the employee’s injury or death, or his or her intoxication, provided the employer did not supply the intoxicant.

If you have been injured on the job, our skilled High Point accident injury lawyers can help you with your Workers’ Compensation claim for lost wages and medical treatment expenses.

Call 336-889-0533 for knowledgeable and experienced assistance.