Category: Workers Compensation

This past Sunday, the News & Observer ran a story about workers’ compensation on the front page. The article, which has been getting many comments on their website, is about employers in North Carolina who forge ahead in the operation of their businesses without any workers’ compensation insurance. In North Carolina, businesses…

Yesterday in the North Carolina General Assembly, the House voted in favor of changes to the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act. The bill, which has changed from its original filing in April of 2011, passed with a vote of 102 in favor and 12 opposed. Before the bill moves to the Senate…

The past few days we’ve been posting frequently on NC House Bill 709. The bill aims to reform the North Carolina workers’ compensation act. Yesterday, News & Observer blog “Under the Dome”, which is the “inside source on North Carolina politics and government”, touched on the NC House Bill 709 with a little…

Hardison & Cochran Managing Partner, Benjamin Cochran, was recently nominated to a three year term on the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Section Council. Mr. Cochran was elected during the Workers’ Compensation Section’s Annual Meeting held on February 11-12 in Greensboro, North Carolina. His three year term will begin on July…

“WCRI’s report is an unfortunate example of insurance companies and corporations seeking government subsidies by shifting their expenses to taxpayers. WCRI is funded by insurance companies and big corporations, and routinely issues reports that support ‘reforms’ that will increase their contributors’ profits.” The above quote is from North Carolina Advocates…

Medical compensation shall be provided by the employer. In case of a controversy arising between the employer and employee relative to the continuance of medical, surgical, hospital, or other treatment, the Industrial Commission may order such further treatments as may in the discretion of the Commission be necessary. The Commission…

With their ability to move heavy pallets and other materials, forklifts have become an indispensable tool in American business and industry – from factories to warehouses, to construction sites and supermarkets. Unfortunately, they also play a role in thousands of serious on-the-job injuries and deaths. In the United States forklift-related…

Settlement: An agreement between you and the insurance company regarding your workers’ compensation payments and future medical care. Settlements must be reviewed by a workers’ compensation judge to make sure they are adequate. Serious and willful misconduct: A petition filed if your injury is caused by the serious and willful…

Party: Generally includes anyone who has an interest in your claim (i.e. the insurance company, your employer, attorney, etc.) Permanent and stationary (P&S): Your medical condition has reached maximum medical improvement. Once you are P&S, a doctor can assess how much, if any, permanent disability resulted from your work injury….

If you have been released by the treating physician at maximum medical improvement and you have been assigned a permanent partial disability rating then the insurance company or the employer is going to be ready to settle. But what happens if you can no longer perform your previous position and…