Under NC Workers Compensation law, employers and their insurance carriers are allowed to hire nurse case managers to assist in coordinating medical treatment. Although the nurse case manager is paid by your employer, take comfort in knowing that they are expected to be impartial and exercise independent judgment. In fact, nurse case managers are required to adhere to the NC Industrial Commission Rules for Utilization of Rehabilitation Professionals in Workers Compensation Claims.
When working with a nurse case manager, make sure you know your rights. Here are a few key things to keep in mind:
If you are in the middle of a workers’ compensation claim, there may come a time when you realize that you cannot return to your job. Many of our clients can no longer perform the job they once had and so they need to begin thinking about what kind of work they can do once they are able. The question we most often hear in this case is whether or not they should be job searching during an active workman’s comp claim.
The answer is yes—absolutely.
Many clients don’t understand the importance of job searching because they think it is counterintuitive. They believe that having work restrictions means no work at all. The thing to remember is that the Workers’ Compensation Commission sees this very differently. They need to see that you are doing everything you can to get back on your feet. It is critical to your case that you start applying for jobs as soon as your attorney advises you to do so. At Oxner + Permar, we routinely recommend looking for at least three to five jobs per week. The goal is to demonstrate to the Commission that you are invested in getting back to work as soon as you are physically able. Your attorney can advise you on what types of jobs you should be looking for and how to best document your search.
Often, our clients call us concerned and seeking help because their employer refuses to acknowledge their work injury. They have told their supervisor verbally that they were injured. In some cases, they’ve even let their human resources representative know, but they aren’t getting anywhere. Meanwhile, they aren’t receiving the treatment they need to get better or the pay that they rightfully deserve.
What should you do if you find yourself in this unfortunate position? There ARE steps you can take to get the support you need:
The Workers’ Compensation Act was created to protect employees like you. Don’t let your employer intimidate you out of pursuing your rights. Oxner + Permar attorneys specialize in workers’ comp. We’ve won more than $275m in awards and settlements for our clients—and we are dedicated to helping you get the treatment and pay you deserve.
Injured workers want to trust that their employer will take care of them, and many can. Unfortunately, some employers don’t have their employees’ best interests in mind or they simply aren’t good at properly managing workers’ comp claims. It’s easy to believe that your employer will take care of you if you are injured, but it’s always important to be safe rather than sorry. To protect your rights, remember to take these important steps:
The Oxner + Permar team supports our troops. We take time to remember and thank our service men and women on Memorial Day—and throughout the year. We support charities that help our service men and women lead safe, healthy lives. And when our service men and women have been injured during their civilian job or they are struggling on the job with injuries sustained during their service, we are there for them. In fact, our firm has assisted a number of soldiers who are working after being discharged from service.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for work injuries and service injuries to create too many obstacles for service men and women to return to gainful employment. If you (or someone you know) is in this same position, it is important to have an attorney on your side, fighting for your rights. Oxner + Permar helps servicemen and women coordinate workers’ compensation benefits as well as social security disability. There are more options available than you may realize. With our guidance and support, you’ll find a path forward to the quality of life you’ve worked so hard for—and that is so important, especially given the sacrifices you’ve made to help others.