After suffering an injury while on the job, it is normal to have questions about recovering your losses. Workers’ compensation benefits can take care of a lot, but when it comes to lost income, there is some confusion about how much will be covered and for how long. In North Carolina, how much you receive and for how long depends on your rate of pay and your ability to return to work.
If you go back to work…
Many people who suffer injuries on the job take time to heal and go back to work when their medical team tells them it is safe to do so. While away from the job, workers’ compensation benefits typically cover a certain percentage of your income. That income replacement ends when you go back to work.
If you suffer a disabling injury…
If you suffer a disabling injury, workers’ comp income replacement is usually paid until you can return to work, find new employment that accommodates your disability, or is offered as lifetime income replacement for those who suffer specific permanent disabilities. Getting fair income replacement if disabled due to a work-related injury can prove a challenging feat. This is a benefit that workers’ compensation insurance providers only want to offer temporarily.
Fight for fair compensation
If you have filed a workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina and feel you are not receiving adequate or fair income replacement for the time you have to spend away from the workforce, you may be able to do something about it. An experienced workers’ compensation law attorney can review your case and help you determine if you are receiving the proper amount in income replacement. If you are not, legal counsel may be able to help you pursue legal recourse.