After the Work Injury: A Guide to Pursuing Workers’ Compensation

Injuries in the workplace are probably more common than you think.

After all, many workers spend most of their waking hours on the job. The severity of injuries can range from an ankle sprain or fracture to a brain injury from a fall or even major damage to a limb from machinery.

Once you are injured and out of work, it doesn’t take long to feel the double jolt of no income and added bills from medical appointments.

Workers’ compensation benefits are crucial to helping you pay for those medical bills and the work you’ve missed. However, being sure that you are getting the full benefits you are entitled to can be difficult.

Cut Through Confusing Rules with Experienced Legal Help

Don’t get caught between human resources and the insurance adjuster.

Injured workers trying to file a workers’ compensation claim often get caught between the employer’s human resources department and the workers’ compensation insurance adjuster, with neither office being helpful in explaining or facilitating the process.

Remember that your employer and the insurance adjuster are both looking for ways to keep the amount paid out to you to a minimum or to even find a rule that will allow them to deny your claim. The experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Ward Back Law understand how to navigate the process so you can start getting the full benefits you deserve.

Hiring a lawyer as soon as possible after your workplace injury has several benefits:

1. Avoid Claim Denial – It is easier and faster to get the benefits you are entitled to before a possible claim denial than to appeal after a decision has been made to deny your claim. An experienced lawyer can help you avoid a claim denial.
2. Know What to Include in a Statement – A lawyer can guide you through things you should or shouldn’t say in a statement to your employer or the claims adjuster. Injured workers without an attorney often unknowingly make statements or leave out information that can hurt their case.
3. Ensure a Fair Process – An attorney can help ensure your employer and the workers’ compensation insurance adjuster are following the laws and correct processes for your claim.

If you’re not sure how the legal process works, you can request an initial appointment with a lawyer and ask questions. At Ward Black Law, truck accident victims are able to talk to a lawyer about their case and our process for free. If we proceed with your case, you pay no money upfront.

Discover How Our Legal Process Works

Hiring a Lawyer Doesn’t Jeopardize Your Job

Remember that hiring an attorney does not mean you are suing your employer.

Many injured workers are afraid hiring a workers’ compensation attorney could create an adversarial relationship with their manager or company, possibly even costing them their job.

Remember that hiring an attorney does not mean you are suing your employer. It does mean you will have an advocate who thoroughly understands the workers’ compensation process and how benefits are calculated. A lawyer can help take the stress of the claims process off of you so that you can focus on your recovery.

In fact, insurance adjusters often suddenly “find more money” for benefits after they have been contacted by a lawyer. Employers understand that you have the right to hire an attorney, and it sends a clear signal that you want to understand your rights under the law.

Whatever kind of lawyer you need, call us.

We want to be your lawyer the one time you do need a lawyer.

336-333-2244

Use the Right Method to Compute Average Weekly Wage

Every additional dollar is important to you.

Did you know there is more than one method to compute your average weekly wage?

Being sure the right method was used to come up with your average weekly wage is one of the most important steps in a workers’ compensation claim since that figure is used as the basis of all of your wage benefits. Your average weekly wage impacts payment for past, current, and future wage calculations. Every additional dollar is important to you.

The team at Ward Black Law can help you understand the different methods of computation and ensure that the insurance company uses the method that best applies to your individual situation.

Diseases Caused by Dust May Qualify for Workers’ Compensation

In addition to a new injury, employees who suffer from certain diseases may qualify for workers’ compensation. Workers who were exposed to asbestos as part of their job and who have diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer may qualify for a benefit.

Do You Have Mesothelioma or Other Asbestos Disease?

If your life has been turned upside down by mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you’ve come to the right place.

Learn more about mesothelioma

Experience Matters

See How Ward Black Law Has Helped Others

Ward Black Law has helped hundreds of injured workers like you successfully obtain the benefits needed to pay medical bills and compensate for lost wages.

Our experienced team understands the complexities of workers’ compensation laws and rules.

For example, in addition to compensation, you may be eligible for a second opinion from a medical professional if you feel the doctor assigned to you by the workers’ compensation insurance company isn’t providing the best medical care for your condition. There are many other rules related to workers’ compensation that your employer may not share with you.

Our workers’ compensation attorneys have more than 60 years of experience in North Carolina.

Janet Ward Black

Attorney Janet Ward Black has been handling workers’ compensation claims for more than 30 years throughout North Carolina for injuries, diseases, and deaths.

She has extensive experience in representing more than 1000 North Carolinians employed at power plants, manufacturing facilities, and construction sites where asbestos has caused mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other cancers in employees.

Emily Beeson

Attorney Emily Beeson has a successful track record of resolving her clients’ claims and is the lead Workers’ Compensation attorney at Ward Black Law. She forges meaningful connections with her clients that allow her to truly understand the impact of their injuries.

Audrey Snyder

Attorney Audrey Snyder is passionate about representing workers who suffer from diseases caused by work-related conditions. She and attorney Black settled more than 600 employees’ workers’ compensation claims in 2018 from a single plant in North Carolina.

Gerard Davidson

Attorney Gerard Davidson has the legal expertise and personal integrity that has earned the respect of adjusters, employers, and other parties essential to a successful outcome. A former adjunct professor at Wake Forest Law School, Davidson has taught a generation of young lawyers how to successfully handle cases.

Gabriel Snyder

Attorney Gabriel Snyder understands what it is like to recover from a devastating injury. His experience in a car accident and his love of watching his father practice law fueled his dream of helping others by taking on personal injury and workers’ compensation cases.

No Fees Come Out of Your Pocket

This means no money comes out of your pocket, and we don’t get paid until you do.

Perhaps the biggest question on your mind is, “Can I even afford a workers’ compensation lawyer?”

We’re pleased to tell you the answer is yes. Ward Black Law collects nothing upfront for these types of cases. This means no money comes out of your pocket, and we don’t get paid until you do.