12 UCW MARCH 8-14, 2017
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
Have you been injured at
work? Well, you are not alone.
In 2015, there were 2.9
million work-related injuries
in our country with almost
70,000 reported work-related
injuries in North Carolina. For
ten years, I worked at the North
Carolina Industrial Commission,
our state's "court system" for
workers' compensation cases.
Over those ten years, I found
that people with work-related
injuries face the most serious
situation in their lives — they
are sick, unable to work and are
having financial difficulties.
When you are injured at work,
there are a few things you should
do.
• Inform your employer
about your injury
immediately and in
writing.
•
• If you do not report your injury within thirty days of the injury, you could
lose your rights to benefits. Many employers have a form for you to
complete.
•
• Seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Your employer may send you to
the doctor. If not, use your health insurance to get medical treatment.
•
• Take care in how you describe your injury. Not all work-related injuries are
covered by workers' compensation.
•
• File your claim, or Form 18, with the Industrial Commission within two
years.
•
• Consult an attorney for help.
•
• You can also call the Industrial Commission Information Specialists at 1-800-
688-8349 for information.
Workers' compensation is complicated. Follow
these steps to avoid making a mistake which can
cause a problem later in your claim.
Working Injuries Are No Joke
by KEISCHA LOVELACE
LEGALLY SPEAKING
In 2015, there were 2.9 million work-
related injuries in our country.
KEISCHA LOVELACE,
Attorney at Richardson Law
Firm. Contributing Writer.
COMMENTS? Editor@
upandcomingweekly.com.
910.484.6200.
